Analysis of Brominated Flame Retardants in the Aquatic Environment: a Review

Overview

Journal Arh Hig Rada Toksikol

Specialty Occupational Medicine

Date 2022 Jan 5

PMID 34985845

Citations 1

Authors

Karla Jagic

Marija Dvorscak

Darija Klincic

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The most common and consequently analysed brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). As these persistent organic pollutants are widespread in the environment and have a number of harmful effects on human health, the production and use of most has been banned for several years. The aquatic environment is polluted by these compounds through their deposition from the atmosphere, sewage sludge, wastewater treatment plants, and landfills, and higher levels are found in areas with developed industry and agriculture and near landfills. Each compound also seems to show preference for specific compartments of the aquatic environment, i.e. water, sediment, or aquatic organisms, according to their physicochemical properties. The aim of this review was to take a closer look at the analysis of BFRs, as without reliable analysis we would not be able to determine their levels and distribution across the aquatic compartments and assess human exposure and health risks. Particularly worrying are the health risks associated with PBDEs in fish, whose levels generally exceed the permitted values.

Citing Articles

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Human Milk of Croatian First-Time Mothers: 2010 Versus 2020.

Dvorscak M, Jagic K, Jakovljevic I, Smoljo I, Klincic D Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2024; 86(2):101-111.

PMID: 38244036 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01048-4.

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