Comprehensive review of the impact of tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC or TDBP-TAZTO) on living organisms and the environment

Abstract

Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TBC or TDBP-TAZTO) belongs to the group of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The production of this compound is increasing due to the growing demand and wide application in electrical, electronic, musical instrument, and automotive component industries. The properties of TBC, e.g., the high octanol–air partition coefficient (Koa), high octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow), and high bioconcentration factor (BCF), indicate a possibility of its spread in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and bioaccumulation in living organisms. The presence of TBC has been confirmed in soil, sediments, river water, and such materials as microplastic, curtains, and e-waste devices. The compound has potential to bioaccumulate in the food chain of living organisms. TBC has been demonstrated to exert a harmful effect mainly on the nervous and endocrine systems, lungs, and liver. The possible mechanism of toxicity of the compound in the nervous system is based on the generation of oxidative stress by TBC leading to apoptosis of neuronal cells, while mitochondrial damage is considered to be responsible for changes in the respiratory organ. Moreover, the potential of mussels and earthworms to be bioindicators of TBC has been proven. Therefore, the literature review is focused on TBC properties and analysis of the identification and impact of the compound on the environment, living organisms, and human cell lines. Given the many toxic effects of TBC highlighted in the literature, there is a need for more profound research on the safety of TBC and methods for identification and degradation of this compound.

Involvement of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and autophagic pathways in the mechanism of action of the tris(2,3‐dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TDBP‐TAZTO or TBC) flame retardant in the lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells in vitro

“…This compound is used as an additive to materials in the production of electrical and electronic devices, musical instruments, and automotive components (Lörchner et al, 2019; Ruan et al, 2009). Since it is relatively easily released from products during both production and use, TBC has been detected in various environmental samples (review in Bar & Szychowski, 2022). The idea behind the development of NBFRs was to obtain compounds that are less harmful to living organisms than classic BFRs.…”

Disruption of neurosteroid synthesis and release by tris(2,3‐dibromopropyl)isocyanurate in primary mouse cortical astrocytes in vitro

“…The volume of annual production and use of TBC increases every year in Europe, the United States of America, China, and Japan (Zhu et al, 2012). The high octanol–water partition coefficient (K ow ) indicates that TBC can easily accumulate in both sediments and organisms (Bar & Szychowski, 2022). Indeed, TBC has been found in river water, sediments, and soil samples (Ruan et al, 2009; Zhu et al, 2012).…”

Triazine-Derived Ultraviolet Filters and Flame Retardants: A Nationwide Co-Occurrence and Prevalence Study in China

“…TA-FRs are a new group of current-use flame retardants and have now become emerging chemicals of concern. , Two well-known examples include tris­(2,3-dibromopropyl) isocyanurate (TDBP-TAZTO) − and 2,4,6-tris­(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine (TTBP-TAZ). , The production and use of TDBP-TAZTO first started in the 1980s, and the annual production has been up to 500 tons since 1996 in China, which has been widely detected in Chinese environmental samples. ,− TTBP-TAZ has been increasingly used in plastic products and electric and electronic equipment, which was previously reported to exhibit elevated concentrations in e-waste facilities and prevalence in residential houses. ,, Other TA-FRs, mainly including melamine and its derivatives, have been found in food and human biological samples. − Because China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of melamine, with its annual production up to 1.29 million tons in 2020, this raised special concern regarding kidney damage in humans, particularly for infants. , To date, previous studies, without exception, were limited to focusing on only one or a few TA-FRs in regional environments. Comprehensive screening for TA-FRs in environmental matrixes is necessary for better understanding their environmental and health risks.…”