Analysis of brominated flame retardants in the aquatic environment: a review

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.

An exposure to endocrine active persistent pollutants and endometriosis — a review of current epidemiological studies

“…PBBs have 209 possible individual congeners and the same substitutions configuration by bromine atoms as polychlorinated biphenyls. Polybrominated biphenyls (13 milion pounds production by 6 years in the USA) have been used as flame retardants in textiles, electronic equipment, and plastics and still occur in air, dust, soil, seafood (mainly fish), milk, meat, and dairy products (Jagić et al 2021 ).…”

Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on MnO2 Nanowire Modified Carbon Paper Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Tetrabromobisphenol A

“…TBBPA is a potential persistent organic pollutant reported to be bioaccumulative and highly toxic. Chronic exposure to TBBPA can induce immune, reproductive and neurotoxic effects on animals [6][7][8]. In 2017, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer published a preliminary list of carcinogens for reference, and tetrabromobisphenol A is on the list of carcinogens in category 2A.…”