Helsinki, Finland - ECHA (the European Chemicals Agency) has identified 15 new chemicals to the candidate list of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).
These include tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), which is used as a flame retardant for polyurethane and other polymers and 2,4-dinitrotoluene, a material used in the production of TDI (toluene diisocyanate) used in flexible PU foams - a 7 Dec ECHA statement said.
TCEP has been largely phased out in the polyurethane foam sector, in expectation of this type of ruling.
Meanwhile DNT is only an intermediate material formed in manufacture of TDI. Since it is not isolated as a separate material, the ruling is unlikely to affect isocyanate manufacturers.
TDI manufacture begins with nitration of toluene using nitric acid, giving DNT. This is catalytically hydrogenated to form toluene diamine, which is dissolved in an inert solvent and phosgenated to form crude TDI.
ECHA will include the 15 substances in the candidate List in 2010. Decisions on the need to subject these substances to authorisation will be taken later, the statement said.
For the full list visit: http://echa.europa.eu/news/press_en.asp (RD)
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