Chemical name:

Final regulatory action has been taken for the category: Industrial

Final regulatory action: The chemical is Banned

Use or uses prohibited by the final regulatory action:

No known use of the chemical in Guyana prior to the final regulatory action.

Use or uses that remain allowed:

All formulation or preparation and all use prohibited by the final regulatory action.

The final regulatory action was based on a risk or hazard evaluation: Yes

Summary of the final regulatory action:

Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control (Prohibited Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals) Order No.4 of 2015 made under the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Act 2000 ( No 13 of 2000) Prohibits the importation, sale and use of Octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures, typically containing hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether, nonabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ether or any substance in any form containing Octabromodiphenyl ether commercial mixtures, typically containing hexabromodiphenyl ether, heptabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether, nonabromodiphenyl ether and decabromodiphenyl ether.

The reasons for the final regulatory action were relevant to: Human health and environment

Summary of known hazards and risks to human health:

The commercial octaBDE product (c-OctaBDE) classified as a reproductive toxicant, due to its effects on human health, with the risk phrases "may cause harm to unborn child", and "possible risk of impaired fertility". Studies and assessments provided evidence that c-OctaBDE may cause adverse effects, such as effects on reproductive organs and effects on development of the foetus.

Effects of repeated exposure to c-OctaBDE consistently indicated that the liver was the key target organ, and liver effects had been observed in animal studies.

It was assumed that in humans, components of c-OctaBDE might bioaccumulate in adipose tissue. Alterations in thyroid homeostasis were reported with organochlorine compounds for many species, including humans. A thyroid hormone like affinity for the serum transport protein transthyretin was shown for hydroxylated PCBs.

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to human health:

The possibility of risks and exposure to this chemical by humans decreased.

Summary of known hazards and risks to the environment:

Congeners of c-OctaBDE seem to resist degradation and thus have the potential to persist in the environment for a long time. They have potential for bioaccumulation and in addition there was monitoring evidence of biomagnification. TetraBDE, pentaBDE and hexaBDE congeners met the criteria for persistence and bioaccumulation, as defined by the Persistence and Bioaccumulation Regulations of CEPA 1999. Further, some PBDE congeners (tetra-, penta-, hexa, hepta-) have been identified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention and the UNECE POP-protocol and as such are recognized as environmentally and biologically persistent substances that may undergo long-range environmental transport (POPRC, 2007). With regards to the biological persistence of c-OctaBDE, HexaBDE is demonstrated to show a significant potential for bioconcentration and biomagnification; heptaBDE on the other hand biomagnifies through the food web. Available data suggests that aquatic species bioconcentrate and bioaccumulate c-OctaBDE from their environment (POPRC, 2007).

Expected effect of the final regulatory action in relation to the environment:

Reduce the exposure to aquatic organism and other animals.

Date of entry into force of the final regulatory action: 02/04/2015