scholarly journals Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in humans - sources and exposure

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108
Keyword(s):  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Fetal Toxicity ◽  
Carcinogenic Potential ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retarded ◽  
Dermal Uptake ◽  
Human Health Effects

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of widely used flame retardants that are incorporated into a wide range of consumer products such as household appliances, plastics, textiles and computers, to prevent fire. They were first introduced in the environment in the 1970s and their concentrations have been increasing ever since. Their persistence in the environment, widespread distribution and bioaccumulation in humans and wildlife has rendered them chemicals of concern. The main route of entry of these chemicals into the human body is via the food web, but occupational exposure may also occur in the workplace during handling, repair and dismantling of flame retarded goods. Inhalation of indoor air and dermal uptake may also be another important route of entry of PBDEs into humans. PBDEs structural similarities to better known and studied chemicals like PCBs, are causes for concern. Individual PBDE congeners have been associated with neurotoxic effects following neonatal exposure in animals and effects on thyroid hormone function. PBDEs have also been associated with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in humans, teratogenicity and fetal toxicity. There are still many toxicity gaps, including their carcinogenic potential and human health effects. This paper reviews the sources and exposure of humans to PBDEs, highlighting recent scientific data.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Human Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Poston ◽  
Ramendra N. Saha
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers

Disruption of epigenetic regulation by environmental toxins is an emerging area of focus for understanding the latter’s impact on human health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), one such group of toxins, are an environmentally pervasive class of brominated flame retardants that have been extensively used as coatings on a wide range of consumer products. Their environmental stability, propensity for bioaccumulation, and known links to adverse health effects have evoked extensive research to characterize underlying biological mechanisms of toxicity. Of particular concern is the growing body of evidence correlating human exposure levels to behavioral deficits related to neurodevelopmental disorders. The developing nervous system is particularly sensitive to influence by environmental signals, including dysregulation by toxins. Several major modes of actions have been identified, but a clear understanding of how observed effects relate to negative impacts on human health has not been established. Here, we review the current body of evidence for PBDE-induced epigenetic disruptions, including DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics, and non-coding RNA expression while discussing the potential relationship between PBDEs and neurodevelopmental disorders.

scholarly journals Effects of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on thyroid hormone, neurodevelopment and fertility in rodents and humans

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Czerska ◽  
Marek Zieliński ◽  
Joanna Kamińska ◽  
Danuta Ligocka
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Human Breast Milk ◽  
Postnatal Exposure ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers

AbstractPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants. Due to their widespread use in many consumer products, PBDEs can be found in food as well as in the environment. Their presence has also been found in the human serum, human adipose tissue and human breast milk. Results of experimental studies suggest that the presence of PBDE in the environment is not neutral to our health. In rats and mice exposed to PBDE disturbances in thyroid hormone homeostasis and reproductive system such as changes in reproductive organs weight and disorders in sperm motility and motion were found. In rodents, pre- and postnatal exposure to PBDE can cause neurobehavioral effects. Also in humans disturbances in thyroid hormone system, weight of reproductive organs and concentrations of sex hormones associated with PBDEs serum concentrations were found. Exposure to PBDEs during pregnancy may lead to slower mental and psychomotor development in infants. In this paper the results of previous animal and human studies are reviewed.

scholarly journals A review of sources, levels, and toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their transformation and transport in various environmental compartments

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Akortia ◽  
Jonathan O. Okonkwo ◽  
Mlindelwa Lupankwa ◽  
Shiloh D. Osae ◽  
Adegbenro P. Daso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Gas Formation ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
Environmental Compartments

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of organobromine compounds that are used as flame retardants in many commonly used products. Their presence has been confirmed in various environmental matrices. Their usage in numerous consumer products has lent credence to their ability to retard flammable gas formation, hence their ubiquitous nature in the environment. PBDEs have been described as endocrine disrupting chemicals because of their interference with the endocrine system function in fish and other terrestrial animals. In spite of the progress in research over the years on PBDEs, full understanding of the environmental behaviour and fate of this contaminant is still elusive. In this review, sources by which PBDEs enter the environment have been evaluated in conjunction with their levels, as well as their toxicity, and the transformation and transport of PBDEs in various environmental compartments. This provides a better understanding of the behaviour of these emerging environmental contaminants within the environment. While acknowledging the numerous studies that have been conducted on the environmental contamination by PBDEs, emerging issues and data gaps have been identified.

scholarly journals Modelling ecotoxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in aquatic ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kolobe Elizabeth Maskoameng
Keyword(s):  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Selenastrum Capricornutum ◽  
Pseudokirchneriella Subcapitata ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are commercially-produced substances that are used as flame retardants in a wide variety of consumer products. They are among chemicals of emerging environmental concern and are found to be ubiquitous in the environment--they were detected in sediments, water, fish, and wildlife and in human adipose tissues. Environmental concentrations are lower than those of other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, present data show that while levels of POPs such as PCBs and DDT are decreasing, PBDE levels are definitely on the rise. The two most prevalent PBDEs in the environment are BDE47 and BDE99. This research studied the toxicity of PBDEs using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (formerly known as Selenastrum capricornutum), Daphnia magna, and Hyalella azteca in laboratory bioassays, by exposing each species to 5 different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 [micro]g/l) of BDE47 and BDE99 congeners. PBDEs showed toxicity to D. magna and P. subcapitata and growth was inhibited at the lowest concentration tested, (12.5 [micro]g/l). Neither of the two congeners had measurable effects (in particular, mortality) on H. azteca at the concentrations tested (up to 200 [micro]g/l). A model was developed in order to understand effects of PBDEs on grazing (or predator-prey) relationships using P. subcapitata as a prey species and D. magna as a grazer or predator species. In general, PBDEs have demonstrated the ability to have significant impact on population dynamics of species in a grazing relationship, even at concentrations that caused minimal effects in growth parameters of isolated species. While single species bioassays showed a decrease in biomass of both species with increasing concentrations of PBDEs, our model predicts an increase in algal population, and a disproportionate and significant decline in Daphnia. The research suggest that PBDEs in the natural environment therefore, will not only cause toxic effects on individual sensitive species but also on populations of other organisms with which they interact.

scholarly journals Modelling ecotoxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in aquatic ecosystems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kolobe Elizabeth Maskoameng
Keyword(s):  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Selenastrum Capricornutum ◽  
Pseudokirchneriella Subcapitata ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are commercially-produced substances that are used as flame retardants in a wide variety of consumer products. They are among chemicals of emerging environmental concern and are found to be ubiquitous in the environment--they were detected in sediments, water, fish, and wildlife and in human adipose tissues. Environmental concentrations are lower than those of other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, present data show that while levels of POPs such as PCBs and DDT are decreasing, PBDE levels are definitely on the rise. The two most prevalent PBDEs in the environment are BDE47 and BDE99. This research studied the toxicity of PBDEs using Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (formerly known as Selenastrum capricornutum), Daphnia magna, and Hyalella azteca in laboratory bioassays, by exposing each species to 5 different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, and 200 [micro]g/l) of BDE47 and BDE99 congeners. PBDEs showed toxicity to D. magna and P. subcapitata and growth was inhibited at the lowest concentration tested, (12.5 [micro]g/l). Neither of the two congeners had measurable effects (in particular, mortality) on H. azteca at the concentrations tested (up to 200 [micro]g/l). A model was developed in order to understand effects of PBDEs on grazing (or predator-prey) relationships using P. subcapitata as a prey species and D. magna as a grazer or predator species. In general, PBDEs have demonstrated the ability to have significant impact on population dynamics of species in a grazing relationship, even at concentrations that caused minimal effects in growth parameters of isolated species. While single species bioassays showed a decrease in biomass of both species with increasing concentrations of PBDEs, our model predicts an increase in algal population, and a disproportionate and significant decline in Daphnia. The research suggest that PBDEs in the natural environment therefore, will not only cause toxic effects on individual sensitive species but also on populations of other organisms with which they interact.

scholarly journals Off-Gassing of Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds from Fire-Fighters’ Uniforms in Private Vehicles—A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3030
Author(s):  
Andrew P. W. Banks ◽  
Xianyu Wang ◽  
Chang He ◽  
Michael Gallen ◽  
Kevin V. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Fire Fighters ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Polycyclic Aromatic ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Firefighters’ uniforms become contaminated with a wide range of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Laundering practices do not completely remove PAHs, OPFRs, and PBDEs from firefighting uniforms. This residual contamination of firefighting ensembles may be an ongoing source of exposure to firefighters. Firefighters are known to occasionally store firefighting ensembles in private vehicles. This study aimed to assess whether a firefighting uniform in a vehicle could act as a source for PAHs, OPFRs, and PBDEs to vehicle users. The shell layers of four laundered firefighting uniforms were sampled non-destructively. Three of these uniforms were heated in a laboratory oven (40, 60, and 80 °C) while the fourth was placed in a private vehicle on a summer day and off-gassing samples were collected from the uniforms. The off-gassing results for PAHs and OPFRs were relatively consistent between laboratory oven and the in-vehicle sample with ∑13 PAHs in off-gas ranging from 7800–23,000 ng uniform−1 day−1, while the ∑6 OPFRs off-gassed was an order of magnitude lower at 620–1600 ng uniform−1 day−1. The off-gassing results for PBDEs were much lower and less consistent between the experiments, which may reflect differences in uniform history. Currently, there is limited understanding of how PAHs, OPFRs, and PBDEs off-gassed from firefighting uniforms influence firefighter exposure to these chemicals. These findings suggest that firefighting ensembles off-gassing in private vehicles could be a relevant source of PAHs, OPFRs, and PBDEs that contributes to firefighters’ exposure and that this warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals Epigenetic Effects of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Human Health

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Gregory Poston ◽  
Ramendra Nath Saha
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Environmental Stability ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers

Disruption of epigenetic regulation by environmental toxins is an emerging point of focus for understanding the latter’s impact on human health. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), one such toxin, are an environmentally pervasive class of brominated flame retardants that have been extensively used as coatings on a wide range of consumer products. Their environmental stability, propensity for bioaccumulation, and known links to adverse health effects have evoked extensive research to characterize underlying biological mechanisms of toxicity. Of particular concern is the growing body of evidence correlating human exposure levels to behavioral deficits related to neurodevelopmental disorders. The developing nervous system is particularly sensitive to influence by environmental signals, including dysregulation by toxins. Several major modes of actions have been identified, but a clear understanding of how observed effects relate to negative impacts on human health has not been established. Here we review the growing body of evidence for epigenetic disruptions induced by PBDEs, including DNA methylation, chromatin dynamics, and non-coding RNA expression while discussing potential relationship between PBDEs and neurodevelopmental disorders.

scholarly journals Study of the Photodegradation of PBDEs in Water by UV-LED Technology

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4229
Author(s):  
Meritxell Valentí-Quiroga ◽  
Rafael Gonzalez-Olmos ◽  
Maria Auset ◽  
Jordi Díaz-Ferrero
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Wastewater Effluent ◽  
Real Water Samples ◽  
Uv Led ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Different Sources

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants that can arrive to water bodies from their use as flame retardants in a wide range of applications, such as electric and electronic devices or textiles. In this study, the photodegradation of PBDEs in water samples when applying UV-LED radiation was studied. Irradiation was applied at three different wavelengths (255 nm, 265 nm and 285 nm) and different exposure times. The best degradation conditions for spiked purified water samples were at 285 nm and 240 min, resulting in degradations between 67% and 86%. The optimized methodology was applied to real water samples from different sources: river, marine, wastewater (effluent and influent of treatment plants) and greywater samples. Real water samples were spiked and exposed to 4 hours of irradiation at 285 nm. Successful photodegradation of PBDEs ranging from 51% to 97% was achieved for all PBDE congeners in the different water samples with the exception of the marine one, in which only a 31% of degradation was achieved.

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