Environmental Influence by Organic Brominated Compounds

Abstract
Time trend demand of Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in Japan, the physico-chemical characteristics, toxicity and the real situation of environmental pollution by polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were introduced in this study, and the future problem of environmental pollution by BFRs was discussed. With respect to PBDEs congeners, large amounts of PBDEs have been consumed until 1990, with 12,000 tons as the maximum consumption. Since then, the annual consumption decreased year after year, to 2,800 tons in 2,000. In terms of physio-chemical characteristics, this compound was easy to photodecompose but it was estimated that the half-lives in the environment were fairly different. Acute toxicity (LD50), carcinogenicity, immune toxicity and mutagenicity for humans were relatively low under the current level of human exposure. However, the exposure to PentaBDE (BDE71) caused a marked decrease in the total T4 serum level in neonates rats, compared to the adult animals (dams) . No observed effect level (NOEL) of neonates was estimated to be 1mg/kg/day. From the results of time trend analysis of PBDEs level in Japanese sea bass and Grey mullet, their level in Japan decreased after 1990. Furthermore, the level of Japanese breast milk, as the indicator of human exposure was also low, compared to that of Europe and North America.

Key words: polubrominated diphenylether, PBDEs, brominated flame retardants, photodegradation, PXDDs/DFs (X=Cl, Br)