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 The Role of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Thyroid Carcinogenesis: Is It a Weak Hypothesis or a Hidden Reality? From Facts to New Perspectives

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 1834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Gorini ◽  
Giorgio Iervasi ◽  
Alessio Coi ◽  
Letizia Pitto ◽  
Fabrizio Bianchi
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Potential Risk Factors

In the last decades, the incidence of thyroid cancer has increased faster than that of any other malignant tumor type. The cause of thyroid cancer is likely multifactorial and a variety of both exogenous and endogenous has been identified as potential risk factors. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used since the 1970s as flame retardants, are still widespread and persistent pollutants today, although their production was definitely phased out in the western countries several years ago. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are known endocrine disruptors, and the endocrine system is their primary target. Whereas animal studies have ascertained the ability of PBDEs to affect the normal functionality of the thyroid, evidence in humans remains inconclusive, and only a few epidemiological studies investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs and thyroid cancer. However, a number of clues suggest that a prolonged exposure to these chemicals might act a trigger of the most common malignancy of the endocrine system, whereas further studies with an advanced design are suggested.

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 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.

Pilot study on the dietary habits and lifestyles of girls with idiopathic precocious puberty from the city of Rome: potential impact of exposure to flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (11-12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Tassinari ◽  
Francesca R. Mancini ◽  
Alberto Mantovani ◽  
Luca Busani ◽  
Francesca Maranghi
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Precocious Puberty ◽  
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Central Precocious Puberty ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Diphenyl Ethers ◽  
Italian Children

AbstractPuberty is regulated by the endocrine system, which when disrupted can affect reproductive health. Endocrine disrupters (ED) are involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are lipophilic, persistent ED used as flame retardants in several products; thus, human population is exposed through food and domestic dust. PBDE exposure during the peripubertal period is suspected to interfere with reproductive development. The study aimed to investigate PBDE serum concentration in 31 girls with ICPP as well as describe their dietary habits and lifestyles. The PBDE median level was 59 ng/g of lipids, higher than in healthy girls in comparable studies. Interestingly, elder girls and girls with higher body mass index (BMI) showed higher PBDE serum levels. Considering the relevance of altered puberty onset as a risk factor for reproductive health, studies on food contribution to PBDE exposure in Italian children, and efforts to ameliorate risk assessment for emerging chemicals are suggested.

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 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 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.

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