Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in articles: a review of its applications and legislation

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), especially commercial decabrominated diphenyl ethers (c-decaBDE), have been widely produced and applied to numerous materials because of their highly effective flame-retardant capabilities. The production of commercial pentaBDE (c-pentaBDE) and commercial octaBDE (c-octaBDE) ended in 2004 because they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to both humans and the environment, but decaBDE production and use continue. Furthermore, many congeners of PBDEs are still prevalent in consumer products and articles that they pose enormous threat to both the environment and human health. PBDEs have been detected in the casing of electrical and electronic equipment, textile materials, automotive interiors, polyurethane foam (PUF) in seat cushions, children's toys, kitchenware, and other products. With increasing evidence about PBDE pollution and the adoption of international conventions, many developed countries have drawn more public attention to PBDEs and developed sound strategies for their management. This review summaries the utilization and management of PBDEs in a number of countries and reaches the conclusion that PBDEs are still prevalent in consumer articles, while specific regulations or policies for articles containing PBDEs are rare. Public awareness should be raised on the importance of sound management of articles containing PBDEs.

Novel Analytical Approach for Brominated Flame Retardants Based on the Use of Gas Chromatography-Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Emphasis in Highly Brominated Congeners

“…As expected, the sensitivity for all compounds dramatically decreased (around 20 times) for the M +• transitions when adding water as modifier, while at the same time the intensity for [M+H] + transitions improved around 1.5 times. This occurred for all the compounds except for Br [6][7][8][9][10] BDEs and DBDPE for which a 2-fold decrease was observed for [M+H] + . When adding HCOOH 1%, the sensitivity of [M+H] + transitions remained almost the same as with only water.…”

“…Linearity of relative response of analytes was established by analyzing standards solutions, in triplicate, in the range of 0.2 -100 ng/mL (for Br [3][4][5][6][7][8] BDEs and BTBPE), 1 -500 ng/mL (BDE 209) and 2 -1000 ng/mL (DBDPE). Data were obtained using both approaches: M +• transitions under charge-transfer conditions and [M+H] + transitions under proton-transfer conditions.…”

“…As a result of bans, the use of novel BFRs, such as decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), used in replacement of Deca-BDE and Octa-BDE mixtures, respectively, and the use of organophosphorus flame retardants is increasing [1][2][3] . Several reviews have reported the analytical methods commonly used for the determination of PBDEs in environmental and biological matrices [4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . Gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) operating in both electron ionization (EI) and electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) modes using quadrupole (Q), triple quadrupole (QqQ) or ion trap (IT) analyzers are the techniques most widely used 2,[11][12][13][14][15] .…”

“…Gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) operating in both electron ionization (EI) and electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) modes using quadrupole (Q), triple quadrupole (QqQ) or ion trap (IT) analyzers are the techniques most widely used 2,[11][12][13][14][15] . GC-EI-MS methods are readily suitable for quantifying Br [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] BDEs in environmental and biological samples, but are not on purpose for higher brominated analogues (Br [8][9][10] BDEs), and further research should be directed towards the improvement of accuracy and sensitivity for highly brominated BDE congeners. GC-EI-MS is prone to interferences from other chemicals with similar structures (especially polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs), which may affect the quality of analytical data.…”

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: Residence time in soils receiving biosolids application

“…Consequently, they were added to the list of persistent organic pollutants in Annex A of the Stockholm convention (UNEP, 2009). Their production and use are now widely limited worldwide (Jinhui et al, 2015;UNEP, 2006;UNEP, 2007;UNEP, 2009;U.S. EPA, 2009).…”