ClimateAugust 23, 2026

pentabde

PEN-tuh-bee-dee-EE

Definition

A specific type of flame-retardant chemical compound formerly used in consumer products like mattresses.

Etymology

The name is a portmanteau derived from 'penta-' (Greek for five, referring to the number of bromine atoms) and 'BDE' (the abbreviation for polybrominated diphenyl ethers).

In the news

The article mentions this chemical to clarify that it is no longer used in modern American mattresses, correcting misconceptions about the safety of current bedding.

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

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