Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate ("tris") is a chemical once widely used as a
flame retardant
Flame retardants are a diverse group of chemicals that are added to manufactured materials, such as plastics and textiles, and surface finishes and coatings. Flame retardants are activated by the presence of an combustion, ignition source and pr ...
in plastics and textiles.
Safety and regulation
Tris is mutagenic and listed as an
IARC Group 2A carcinogen. It is one of the chemicals covered by the
Rotterdam Convention
The Rotterdam Convention (formally, the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade) is a multilateral treaty to promote shared responsibilities in relatio ...
. In the United States, the
Consumer Product Safety Commission
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC, CPSC, or commission) is an independent agency of the United States government. The CPSC seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by addressing "unreasonable risks" of injury ...
banned the sale of children's garments containing tris in 1977. This regulatory change came about as a result of the research of
Bruce Ames and
Arlene Blum
Arlene Blum (born March 1, 1945Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life, page 34Chapter 24 /ref>) is an American mountaineer, writer, and environmental health scientist. She is best known for leading the first successful American ascent of Annapurna (I ...
.
See also
*
Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate
*
Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate
References
{{organic-compound-stub
Organophosphates
Organobromides
Flame retardants
IARC Group 2A carcinogens