Certification of the Mass Fractions of Various Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), Decabrominated Biphenyl and Total Br and Total Sb in Two Polymer Reference Materials, ERM-EC590 and ERM-EC591

Abstract

This report describes the preparation and certification of the polymer certified reference materials (CRM) ERM-EC590 and ERM-EC591. The CRMs have been certified by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Geel, Belgium. The CRMs were prepared from a low-density polyethylene granulate and polypropylene granulate spiked with technical mixtures of brominated diphenylethers (BDEs) and brominated biphenyls (BB). Technical Penta-BDE, Deca-BDE and Deca-BB were added. Certification of the CRM included testing of the homogeneity and stability of the material as well as the characterisation using an intercomparison approach. The CRMs have been certified for their content of Br as well as for several BDE congeners and decabrominated biphenyl (BB-209). Indicative values have been established for Sb. Additional information about several BDE-congeners is given. These CRMs are intended for use in quality assurance of measurements of BDEs. BB-209 and elements in polymers and related matrices. Uncertainties are expanded uncertainties estimated in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) with a coverage factor of k=2, corresponding to a level of confidence of about 95 %.