Occurrence of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Captive Chinese Alligators (Alligator sinensis) from China

Abstract

Decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), a replacement for decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE), was investigated in captive Chinese alligators from China. DBDPE was detected in adult tissues, neonates and eggs of Chinese alligators with concentrations ranging from 4.74-192, 0.24-1.94, and 0.01-0.51 ng g(-1) lipid weight, respectively. Compared to PBDEs and PCBs, DBDPE contamination was limited in Chinese alligators. Additionally, DBDPE concentrations in adult muscles were one to three orders of magnitude higher than those in neonates and eggs, suggesting the limited maternal transfer potential of DBDPE in Chinese alligators. This is the first study to report the occurrence of DBDPE in Chinese alligators.

A Review of Environmental Occurrence, Fate, and Toxicity of Novel Brominated Flame Retardants

“…For example, DBDPE was only found at concentration of 0.01 pg/m 3 in two winter air samples in Madrid, Spain. 13 In air from Stockholm and the Great Lakes, the mean concentrations of DBDPE were 1.4 and 0.34−2.0 pg/m 3 , respectively, 14,29 which were a little lower than those found in airs from a typical residential region of Harbin, China (mean: 11 pg/m 3 ) 45 and from the northern shore of Taihu Lake, China (23 pg/m 3 ). 46 Much higher concentrations of DBDPE have been found in air from a BFRs production area in Weifang, northern China (240 pg/m 3 ), 38 an e-waste recycling site (209 pg/m 3 ) and a rural site (158 pg/ m 3 ) in southern China 47 and the Pearl River Delta, southern China (1916 pg/m 3 ) (Table 1).…”

“…NBFRs have been produced in large amount worldwide. The estimated production of DBDPE and BTBPE is usually between several thousands and 10s of thousands of tons per year, which is generally higher than those of other NBFRs (see SI for details). − As replacements for traditional BFRs, NBFRs are widely used as additive flame retardants in various textile, plastic, polyurethane foam, electrical cable coating, and other applications. ,,− Since NBFRs are not chemically bound to polymeric substrates, they can leach into various environmental matrices, including air, water, dust, and sediment, during their production, use, and disposal.…”

Evaluation and Mechanistic Study of Transgenerational Neurotoxicity in Zebrafish upon Life Cycle Exposure to Decabromodiphenyl Ethane (DBDPE)

“…However, in F1 eggs, F1 gonads, and F2 eggs, the total burdens of DBDPE were all below the limit of quantification (LOQ), indicating limited maternal transfer of DBDPE in zebrafish. Similarly, limited maternal transfer of DBDPE was also observed in waterbird, water snake, and Chinese alligators . However, in fin whales ( Balaenoptera physalus ) from the North Atlantic Ocean, a large amount of DBDPE was transferred from mother to fetuses .…”

“…Similarly, limited maternal transfer of DBDPE was also observed in waterbird, water snake, 47 and Chinese alligators. 48 However, in fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from the North Atlantic Ocean, a large amount of DBDPE was transferred from mother to fetuses. 49 These inconsistencies may be due to the different reproductive patterns between oviparous animals and mammals.…”

Neurological responses of embryo-larval zebrafish to short-term sediment exposure to decabromodiphenylethane

“…For instance, decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) is reported to be used as an alternative to decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE). In China, DBDPE has been put into production since 2005 and the annual production was estimated to be as high as 12 000 t in 2006 and the domestic demand for DBDPE is expected to increase at a rate of 80% per year (Hong et al, 2015).…”