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WHAT IS IT?

  • Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated compound, mainly used as a flame retardant in polystyrene materials for building insulation. It has been added to expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) at mass concentrations of 2 to 3%.
     
  • Nowadays, HBCD is recognised globally as a persistent organic pollutant (POP). As such, it hs been included in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention in 2013. Production, use and recycling of HBCD has therefore been prohibited.
     
  • In the Swiss legislation, this ban is included in the ORRChem (Annex 1.1) with a cut-off date in 2016.
     
  • HBCD poses high toxicological risks, including endocrine disrupting effects, particularly for pregnant women during fetal development. In the long term, HBCD is also highly toxic for the aquatic environment.