ABSTRACT
Key to the current evidence-gathering phase for Deca-BDE is accurate measurement of ultra-trace levels in a variety of environmental media and human tissues. The need to find evidence for reduced emission inventories, to define trends in a variety of environmental media and human tissues and to carefully characterize metabolic breakdown pathways and products will be critical factors in any subsequent political decisions regarding Europe-wide restrictions on the use of Deca-BDE or a complete production phase-out. This evidence from numerous scientific laboratories will form the backbone of the informational input upon which the political decision-making process will synthesise different viewpoints, perspectives and interests and represents the starting point from which the science and elements of ‘judgment’ integrate together.
