Human health risk associated with brominated flame-retardants (BFRs)

Reductive transformation of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) by FeS

“…Due to their extensive use and improper disposal, the widespread occurrence of these BFRs in various environmental compartments has been well documented (Kefeni et al, 2011;Law et al, 2014). Moreover, there is increasing evidence for the endocrine, reproductive and behavioral effects of these BFRs on biota (Lyche et al, 2015), which has led to HBCD being included in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2013 (Stubbings and Harrad, 2014). Therefore, an urgent need is to improve our understanding of the environmental fates of these BFRs and to develop effective approaches for dealing with the relevant environmental contamination.…”

Evaluating Breast Cancer Risk under Exposure to Environmental Estrogen-Like Chemicals

“…Because PBDEs are additives, they can be released from products and furnishings and can be found in outdoor air, sediments, sludge, and soil, as well as house and office air and dust. Like other persistent organic pollutants, PBDEs have been detected in such wildlife as birds, marine species, fish, and terrestrial animals; and in humans, including in blood, serum, adipose tissue, and breast milk [50]. PBDEs ingested by inhalation, dermal absorption and food intake accumulate in the body.…”

Flame Retardants and Environmental Issues

“…e cause of dioxin formation is o en connected with the use of brominated FRs in combination with antimony oxides as synergist additives. Furthermore, brominated FRs are highly resistant to biological, chemical and physical degradation [2,8,15,17]. However, if their degradation occurs under certain environmental conditions, they are converted into even more persistent and toxic lower brominated compounds [2,8,14,15].…”

“…Halogenated FRs include brominated and chlorinated compounds that have been commercially available since 1960 [5,6,[14][15][16]. As a result of higher performance e ciency and lower costs, brominated compounds have been of greater practical importance than chlorinated compounds.…”