Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were characterized and quantified in stack gas from secondary ventilation systems from five different steelmaking plants. The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDD/Fs (2,3,7,8-PBDD/Fs) and PBDEs were 0.036–0.19 ng/Nm (0.32–4.33 pg toxic equivalency (TEQ)/Nm) and 3.11–40.0 ng/Nm, respecti...

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine compounds (OCs) were determined in the blubber, liver and kidney of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded in Hong Kong coastal waters during 1995-2001. Among the organohalogen compounds analyzed, DDTs were the most dominant contaminants with concentrations ranging from ...

Introduction. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are chemicals that are added to polymers that are used in plastics, rubber, textiles and other materials to prevent fires. Similarly to other organic pollutants, BFRs have persistence and bioaccumulation potential in organisms. Recently, BFRs have become of increasing concern in environmental samples, due to the increase of the concentration of B...

A previous application note presented results for analysis of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in polymers using the 5973N inert MSD [1]. Mass spectra were presented and interpreted for all of the important PBDEs. The new 5975 inert MSD provides many new features and improvements with expanded mass range to 1050 u being but one. This note presents the full spectra of the octa-, nona a...

BACKGROUND Recent studies have reported blood levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the U.S. population. Information about neonatal levels and about the relationship to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposures is limited. OBJECTIVES The objective was to characterize levels and determinants of fetal exposure to PBDEs and PCBs among newborns from Baltimore, Maryland. METHODS W...

BACKGROUND There is general concern that persistent organic pollutants (POPs) found in the environment, wildlife, food, water, house dust, human tissues, and fluids may alter normal human physiologic activities (e.g., fetal development, immune and endocrine systems). Although the levels of some POPs [polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCs)] in these matrices have de...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have indicated that cytochrome P450s (CYPs) are involved in the metabolism of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in humans, resulting in the formation of hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs) that are potentially more toxic than the parent PBDEs. However, the specific enzymes responsible for the formation of OH-PBDEs are unknown. OBJECTIVES The purposes ...

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have become distributed ubiquitously in the environment. High concentrations have been reported in U.S. sewage sludge (biosolids). The burgeoning practice of land-applying biosolids as fertilizer creates an avenue for reintroduction of PBDEs to surface waters and aquatic sediments. Bioavailability of biosolids- and sediment-associated PBDEs ...

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) were determined in Baikal seals (Pusa sibirica) collected from Lake Baikal to reveal their contamination status, accumulation features and temporal trends. Organohalogen compounds analyzed were detected in all the blubber samples of Baikal seals. DDTs were the most abundant co...