Baby Safety / Compounds / PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl)

Is PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants face disproportionate exposure to PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.

What is pbb-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl)?

The IUPAC name is 1,2,4-tribromo-5-(2,4,5-tribromophenyl)benzene.

Also known as: 1,2,4-tribromo-5-(2,4,5-tribromophenyl)benzene, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexabromobiphenyl, PBB 153, 1,1'-Biphenyl, 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromo-.

IUPAC name
1,2,4-tribromo-5-(2,4,5-tribromophenyl)benzene
CAS number
59080-40-9
Molecular formula
C12H4Br6
Molecular weight
627.6 g/mol
SMILES
C1=C(C(=CC(=C1Br)Br)Br)C2=CC(=C(C=C2Br)Br)Br
PubChem CID
42948

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants face disproportionate exposure to PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Elevated risk

Prenatal exposure to PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) through dust inhalation and dietary intake can affect fetal thyroid function and neurodevelopment. Flame retardants accumulate in breast milk.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC—Group 2

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter pbb-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl)

  • Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
  • Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl):

  • Phosphorus-based FRs; Mineral fillers; Barrier fabrics
    Trade-offs: Eliminates chemical FR entirely through physical design (fire-blocking layers, reduced ignition propensity); requires redesign of existing products; effective per CPSC and TB 117-2013; adopted in California furniture regulation.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

Is pbb-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) safe for kids?

Infants face disproportionate exposure to PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) through dust ingestion (hand-to-mouth behavior), breast milk transfer, and dermal contact with treated textiles in cribs and car seats.

What products contain pbb-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl)?

PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to pbb-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See PBB-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl) in the baby app

Look up products containing pbb-153 (2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromobiphenyl), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  1. IARC Monographs Vol 41: Some Halogenated Hydrocarbons and Pesticide Exposures — Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans); Michigan PBB crisis 1973; hepatic enzyme induction; thyroid and immune effects; liver tumors in rodents (1986) (1986) — iarc_monograph

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →