octabde
OK-tuh-bee-dee-EE
Definition
A specific type of brominated flame retardant chemical formerly used in consumer products, including mattresses, until its production was phased out in the United States in 2004.
Etymology
The name is a technical compound abbreviation derived from 'octa' (Greek for eight) referring to the eight bromine atoms in the chemical structure, and 'BDE' which stands for polybrominated diphenyl ether.
In the news
The article uses this term to clarify that these outdated flame retardants are found only in older, buried mattresses rather than in modern mattresses delivered to homes today.
Americans dump 50,000 unwanted mattresses every day, and over 80 percent of what is inside each one is steel, foam and wood that a recycling plant can sell straight back to industry
Read the full article ↗EcoPortal.net