Brominated flame retardants

Abstract

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), have routinely been added to consumer products for several decades in an effort to reduce fire-related injury and property damage. Yet, concerns for this class of chemicals have risen because of their occurrence in the environment, wildlife, and humans. Here, we briefly present the major scientific issues related to analytical, toxicological, and environmental aspects of these BFRs and discuss data gaps. Regarding geographical or temporal trends in the environmental levels of BFRs, few general remarks may be deducted: (a) Concentrations of BFRs in general are often elevated by at least one order of magnitude in the vicinity of point sources. (b) Detection of BFRs in remote location implies long-range transport and detection in air samples. (c) In general, the continental market demands seem to be reflected in different environmental residue levels and trends.