Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), a polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) homolog, seriously threatens human health. In this study, a Rhodococcus ruber strain with high BDE-209 degradation activity, named TAW-CT127, was isolated from Tong’an Bay, Xiamen. Under laboratory conditions, the strain’s optimal growth temperature, pH, and salinity are 45 °C, 7.0, and 0–2.5%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows that TAW-CT127 is damaged when grown in manual marine culture (MMC) medium with BDE-209 as the sole carbon source instead of eutrophic conditions. In the dark, under the conditions of 28 °C, 160 rpm, and 3 g/L (wet weight) TAW-CT127, the degradation rate of 50 mg/L BDE-209 is 81.07%. The intermediate metabolites are hexabromo-, octabromo-, and nonabromo-diphenyl ethers. Through whole-genome sequencing, multiple dehalogenases were found in the genome of TAW-CT127; these may be involved in the production of lower-brominated diphenyl ethers. Additionally, biphenyl-2,3-dioxygenase (BDO) in TAW-CT127 may catalyze the debromination reaction of BDE-209. Our research provides a new high-efficiency strain for bioremediation of BDE-209 pollution, and lays the foundation for the preliminary exploration of genes associated with BDE-209 degradation.

BackgroundShanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP), located in Jinshan District, is the largest industrial zone in China. However, the impact on the residents’ health has not been assessed. The study aimed to identify the impact of living in chemical industrial areas on the health of first-grade studentsMethodA cross-sectional study was conducted among first-graders between May and June 2016 in Jinshan District using experimental examinations and questionnaires. Demographic statistics and hematological parameters were summarized. Geographical distribution and high-risk clusters of prevalence of diseases and birth status were depicted. Multivariate logistic model was used to analyze the differences in the prevalence of diseases and symptoms between chemical and nonchemical industrial areas after adjusting for potential factors.ResultA total of 4821 first graders were included in the study. Mean age was 7.2 (±0.41) years. The prevalence of respiratory, digestive, and skin diseases was 0.229, 0.042, and 0.168, respectively. We observed one spatial cluster each for respiratory diseases (RD) and skin diseases, respectively. Significant differences in birth defects were not observed. Some significantly different hematological parameters and higher prevalence of RD in nonchemical industrial areas might indicate pollutant exposures in nonchemical industrial areas. The study revealed a possible positive association between environmental factors and RD.ConclusionStrong evidence regarding the main impact of SCIP on the health of school children was not observed. Governments and parents might need to pay more attention to indoor and other environmental management. Long-term health effects of chemical industries should be continuously monitored.