Citation:

Kodavanti, P. AND L. Bommanna. Brominated Flame Retardants: Spatial and Temporal Trends in the Environment and Biota from the Pacific Basin Countries. Chapter 2, Persistent Organic Chemicals in the Environment: Status and Trends in the Pacific Basin Countries. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, , 21-48, (2016).

Impact/Purpose:

This is a book chapter describing spatial and temporal trends of persistent organic chemicals with emphasis on brominated flame retardants in the environment and biota from the Pacific basin countries.

Description:

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used as additive or reactive components in a variety of polymers including high-impact polystyrene and epoxy resins, commercial products such as computers, electronics and electrical equipment, thermal insulation, textiles and furniture foam. There were over 75 different BFRs in the market; some of them were restricted/banned from production and use due to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and toxic effects on organisms. Of the many BFRs still on the market, brominated bisphenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and cyclododecanes are three major classes which represent the highest production volumes. Recent studies have revealed that environmental contamination and toxic health effects by high production volume BFRs continues to be of concern. Trend monitoring studies are useful in understanding the historical perspectives, current status and also help to predict future trends of environmental contamination by persistent organic chemicals/pollutants including BFRs. This chapter deals with the environmental contamination status and temporal trends of polybrominated diphenylethers in a variety of environmental and biological matrices, including soil, sediment, wildlife, marine and terrestrial mammals from Pacific Basin countries.

Record Details: