title: Policy relevant results from an expert elicitation on the human health risks of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Apply a recently developed expert elicitation procedure to evaluate the state of the current knowledge of the two brominated flame retardants (BFRs) most commonly used today; decabromo-diphenyl ether (decaBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and their potential impact on human health in order to support policy considerations. This expert elicitation was organized by the HENVINET (Health and Environment Network) Consortium.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HENVINET expert elicitation procedure that was used in the evaluations of decaBDE and HBCD is a rapid assessment tool aimed at highlighting areas of agreement and areas of disagreement on knowledge-related key issues for environment and health policy decision making.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The outcome of the expert consultation on BFRs was concrete expert advice for policy makers with specific priorities for further action made clear for both stakeholders and policy makers. The experts were not in agreement whether or not the knowledge currently available on decaBDE or HBCD is sufficient to justify policy actions, but most experts considered that enough data already exists to support a ban or restriction on the use of these compounds. All experts agreed on the necessity of more research on the compounds. Priority issues for further research were, among others:• more studies on the extent of human exposure to the compounds.• more studies on the fate and concentration in the human body of the compounds.
authors: Norwegian Veterinary Institute, POBox 750, 0106 Oslo, Norway. solveig.ravnum@nilu.no
authors: Solveig
authors: S
authors: Ravnum
authors: Karin E
authors: KE
authors: Zimmer
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Keune
authors: Arno C
authors: AC
authors: Gutleb
authors: Albertinka J
authors: AJ
authors: Murk
authors: Janna G
authors: JG
authors: Koppe
authors: Brooke
authors: B
authors: Magnanti
authors: Jan L
authors: JL
authors: Lyche
authors: Gunnar S
authors: GS
authors: Eriksen
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Ropstad
authors: Janneche U
authors: JU
authors: Skaare
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Kobernus
authors: Aileen
authors: A
authors: Yang
authors: Alena
authors: A
authors: Bartonova
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Krayer von Krauss
mesh_terms: D004782:Environmental Health; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000633:toxicity*; D011050:Policy Making; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether