Occurrence of Polybrominated Biphenyls, Polybrominated Dibenzo-p-dioxins, and Polybrominated Dibenzofurans as Impurities in Commercial Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Mixtures

20 June 2006

journal article
research article
Published by American Chemical Society (ACS) in Environmental Science & Technology

Vol. 40 (14) , 4400-4405
https://doi.org/10.1021/es060559k

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations and compositions of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs), and polybrominated dibenzofurans (PBDFs) as contaminants in the commercial polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) mixtures DE-71, DE-79, and DE-83 and to ascertain the lot-to-lot variations in the proportions of these contaminants. Commercial PBDE mixtures tested in the present study contained both PBBs and PBDFs, as impurities, at concentrations in the range of several tens to several thousands of nanograms per gram. Concentrations of total PBDFs were greater than those of total PBBs in DE-79 and DE-83 mixtures. PBDDs were not detected at levels above the limit of detection. Profiles of PBB and PBDF congeners varied with the degree of bromination of the commercial PBDE mixtures (i.e., more highly brominated mixtures of PBDEs contained heavily brominated homologues of PBBs and PBDFs). On the basis of the production/usage of commercial PBDE mixtures in 2001, potential global annual emissions of PBBs and PBDFs were calculated to be 40 and 2300 kg, respectively. Results of our study suggest that PBDFs can also be formed during the production of commercial PBDE mixtures, in addition to their formation during pyrolysis of brominated flame retardants.

Keywords

This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:

Brominated flame retardants and other organobromines in Norwegian predatory bird eggs
Chemosphere, 2005
Differential Expression of CYP1A, 2B, and 3A Genes in the F344 Rat following Exposure to a Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Mixture or Individual Components
Toxicological Sciences, 2005
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and monobromo-polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (MoBPXDD/Fs) in the atmosphere and bulk deposition in Kyoto, Japan
Chemosphere, 2004
An overview of commercially used brominated flame retardants, their applications, their use patterns in different countries/regions and possible modes of release
Environment International, 2003
Health effects of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs)
Environment International, 2003
Isomer-specific analysis of chlorinated biphenyls, naphthalenes and dibenzofurans in Delor: polychlorinated biphenyl preparations from the former Czechoslovakia
Environmental Pollution, 2003
Relevance of BFRs and thermal conditions on the formation pathways of brominated and brominated–chlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans
Environment International, 2003
Differential effects of two lots of aroclor 1254 on enzyme induction, thyroid hormones, and oxidative stress.
Environmental Health Perspectives, 2001
Congener profile of polychlorinated/brominated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in soil and sediments collected at a former chlor‐alkali plant
Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 1998
Isomer-Specific Determination and Toxic Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Polychlorinated/brominated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Dibenzofurans, Polybrominated Biphenyl Ethers, and Extractable Organic Halogen in Carp from the Buffalo River, New York
Environmental Science & Technology, 1995