Hi Ron,
There has been some bad press regarding flame retardents, specifically
Bromine, in the UK over the years. Initially it was thought that
brominated flame retardents could produce "super toxins" when burned.
This was disproveed. The issue of flame retardents was recently raised
again by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations a
European directive which sought to ban lead and bromine from the
electronics industry.
Most of the scientific evidence so far suggests that we are better
served by having flame retardents than not having them.

More information can be found at
                                www.bsef.com
                                www.firesafety.org

The Department of Trade and Industry in the UK has recently commissioned
a report on flame retardents. The summary can be found on
www.surrey.ac.uk/PRC/

Section 7.3 Of the report states

"Examinations of toxicology of 6 of the more common flame retardents
used in consumer products indicates that in general they do not pose any
significant threats to human life or the environment".

Having said all that, most if not all of the laminate manufacturers can
manufacture epoxy/glass laminates with no flame retardents.
Hope the information is useful.

Geoff Layhe
thanks to alun morgan of isola for the details


> ----------
> From:         Hollandsworth, Ron[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     TechNet E-Mail Forum.;Hollandsworth, Ron
> Sent:         08 July 1999 16:30
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [TN] FR4 Replacement
> Importance:   Low
>
> Hello TechNet
>
> I have observed tons of conversation on Lead Free issues and
> speculation
> which is great, however, I have a question concerning the replacement
> of
> board material.  Specifically FR4.  I have heard that there is concern
> surrounding the flame retardant used in FR4 and therefore FR4 may have
> to be
> replaced by some other board material.  Polyimide may be an option,
> but what
> will that do to cost.  Is polyimide more expensive?  Are there other
> options?
>
> Ron Hollandsworth
> Ops Task Leader AME Group
> ITT
>