HBCDand

HBCDand is not a widely recognized term in chemistry or policy literature and may be a typographical error or a shorthand used in discussions about HBCD and its regulatory or environmental context. In most use, the discussion centers on hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) rather than a distinct subject named HBCDand.

Hexabromocyclododecane is a brominated flame retardant used primarily in polystyrene foam insulation. It occurs as several stereoisomers—alpha, beta, and gamma—that contribute to its flame-retardant properties. HBCD has been employed mainly in expanded and extruded polystyrene foams used in building insulation and packaging, with additional, less widespread uses in textiles and electronics.

Environmental and health concerns have driven regulatory attention to HBCD. It is persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in wildlife, with detections reported in air, water, and sediments. Because of these characteristics, HBCD has been the subject of risk assessments and regulatory measures in various jurisdictions.

Regulatory status varies by region but commonly includes restrictions or phased elimination of production and use, with exemptions for certain finished articles or specific recycling scenarios. The international framework most relevant to HBCD is the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, under which production and use are being restricted or eliminated in many cases, often alongside national or regional REACH- or safety-focused rules. As a result, industry has pursued substitutes and alternative flame retardants to replace HBCD in new products, as well as improved design practices to reduce overall reliance on such additives.

For further information, see hexabromocyclododecane.