Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
07:08
Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Is decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) a developmental neurotoxicant?
Lucio G Costa1, Gennaro Giordano
1Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA. lgcosta@u.washington.edu
Neurotoxicology
|December 25, 2010
Summary
Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is a flame retardant with environmental concerns. A recent study found no evidence of neurodevelopmental effects in children, despite some prior animal data suggesting risks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widespread environmental pollutants.
- Higher body burdens in children raise concerns about developmental neurotoxicity.
- Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) is still in use, with ongoing regulatory review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential developmental neurotoxicity of BDE-209.
- To address controversy surrounding the reference dose (RfD) for BDE-209.
- To compare BDE-209's effects with other PBDEs and existing study data.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing animal studies, in vitro experiments, and human epidemiological evidence.
- Analysis of a recent developmental neurotoxicity study conducted under international guidelines.
- Consideration of BDE-209's absorption, toxicity, and metabolism.
Main Results:
- BDE-209 has low acute and chronic toxicity, primarily targeting the liver and thyroid.
- Some studies suggest potential developmental neurotoxicity in animals, affecting motor and cognitive functions.
- A key recent study found no evidence of adverse neurodevelopmental effects from BDE-209.
Conclusions:
- The recent developmental neurotoxicity study provides crucial data for re-evaluating BDE-209's safety.
- While some PBDEs are banned, BDE-209's continued use warrants careful risk assessment.
- Further research is needed on BDE-209 metabolism and its relevance to human health.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
01:36Types of Toxins
Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
01:24Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Drug toxicities can be stratified into pharmacological, pathological, or genotoxic based on their mechanisms. The incidence and severity of these toxicities generally increase with the drug's concentration in the body and exposure time.Pharmacological toxicity is evident when the therapeutic effects of drugs overshoot into adverse reactions in a predictable, dose-dependent manner. Central nervous system (CNS) depression from barbiturates is a classic example, with effects escalating from...
01:23Toxicity Testing in Animals
Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...