EMEP Contribution to the Preparatory Work for the Review of the CLRTAP Protocol on POPs: New Substances. Model Assessment of Potential for Long-range Transboundary Atmospheric Transport and Persistence of PentaBDE

MSC-E Information Note 10/2004

N. Vulykh, S. Dutchak, E. Mantseva, V. Shatalov

ABSTRACT

Pentabromodiphenyl ether (PentaBDE) is a brominated flame retardant widely used all over the world. This commercial product is within the scope of interest of the Task Force on POPs as a potential new POP. Preliminary risk profile of PentaBDE prepared by national experts [Peltola and Yla-Mononen, 2001] testifies that its characteristics meet the criteria outlined in the Executive Body Decision 1998/2 and it may be a candidate for the inclusion into the UNECE Protocol on POPs. Additional information on the evaluation of this product in accordance with the two criteria: potential for long-range transboundary atmospheric transport (LRTP) and persistence can be provided by the model assessment.

PentaBDE is a mixture of individual congeners belonging to the groups of tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa- and heptabromodiphenyl ethers with different physical-chemical properties depending on a number and position of bromine atoms in the molecule of diphenyl ether. In this assessment we stand at two BDE congeners (BDE-47 and BDE-99), which are the major components of PentaBDE (more than 70% w/w).

For the evaluation of PentaBDE potential for the long-range transboundary atmospheric transport and persistence in the environment, a multicompartment hemispheric transport model EMEP/MSCE-POP is used. A multicompartment approach is conditioned by the ability of POPs to be accumulated in soil, seawater and vegetation with subsequent re-emission. For modeling of the atmospheric transport of considered substances the information on their physical-chemical properties, as well as meteorological and geophysical data are used. More detailed information on the structure of the model and parameterisation of the media processes can be found in the EMEP/MSC-E reports [Shatalov et al., 2003; Dutchak et al., 2004] and on the our web site .

To estimate LRTP and persistence of BDE-47 and BDE-99 with the help of the EMEP/MSCE-POP model, the calculations of their transport from a conventional point emission source located in Europe (France) were made for one-year period.