Zinc dust/sodium hydroxide/ammonium formate system is highly effective for the debromination of the ubiquitous pollutant tetrabromobisphenol A (TBPPA) to bisphenol A (BPA). Treatment of pure TBPPA with NaOH or with another alkali hydroxide in the presence of ammonium formate in an alcohol at elevated temperatures (78-116 degrees C) leads to a successful debromination. An almost quantitative removal of TBBPA can be achieved. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V.