Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to announce that, following the success of BFR2007 in Amsterdam, the 5th International Symposium on Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR2010) will be held in Kyoto from April 7 to 9, 2010. The venue will be the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall.

So far, BFR conferences have been held only in Europe and Canada. There is great significance to holding the conference in the Asian region this time. The 21st century is the time when true harmony between environmental preservation and economic development is required. Asia is regarded as the next economic growth region, and BFR issues are just beginning to be tackled in the region. I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to the distinguished members of the BFR scientific advisory committee, who decided to hold the conference in Asia.

Abundant scientific knowledge on BFR issues has accumulated since concerns about environmental pollution by BFRs were first raised in the 1980s. Along with confirmation of the present globally polluted state, the resulting contamination in indoor environments and pathways of human exposure to such contamination are being delineated. Important facts have emerged. BFRs are composed of various substances, each with different toxicological effects, physical-chemical properties, and contamination tendencies. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has gradually come to perceive BFRs as an international policy target, and the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment is coming under the international regulation. Environmental research in this field in the Asian region has also developed, and a certain degree of BFR contamination has been confirmed. BFR2010 especially welcomes the presentation of scientific findings on BFRs in the Asian region, where future economic growth must be achieved under a requirement for low enivironmental load.

Kyoto was once the capital of Japan, and it has a wonderful history going back more than 1200 years. Its rich cultural heritage includes many beautiful temples and shrines, and you will enjoy its peaceful atmosphere. In addition to being a famous historical place, Kyoto is also an active and leading-edge city in environmental matters. The conference for the Framework Convention on Climate Change was held here in 1997, and the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. Kyoto University, which is located in the northeast part of the city, is a distinguished historical university that has brought forth abundant research results in fields from natural science to human science since its establishment more than 110 years ago. BFR2010 will be held at the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall, located in the center of the university.

This is the outline of BFR2010 in Kyoto. To ensure its success, the support of my academic colleagues, local affiliates of Kyoto City, Japanese government officials and environemental scientists in Japan, and the executive members of the BFR International Advisory Board will be absolutely necessary. Above all, the participation of each of you who have contributed to BFR research will be essential. On behalf of the executive committee, I would like to ask you all for your cooperation. In the meantime, I hope your research on BFR will make great progress and provide valuable information for the benefit of society. I hope you will all be able to attend BFR2010. I look forward to seeing you in Kyoto and to spending pleasant time with you in beautiful April with the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Shin-ichi Sakai

Kyoto, March 1, 2009.