Review of polybrominated diphenyl ethers contamination in environmental compartments of recycling and...

Electronic devices are considered major sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a group of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) used to mitigate or prevent fire hazards. Despite bans on PBDEs due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment, recycling centers and dumping sites remain active sources of these chemicals from the disposal of older e-waste products that contain them. This review examines historical and current PBDE concentrations in various environmental compartments at recycling centers and landfill/dumping sites, focusing on e-waste in developed and developing regions. It also identifies factors influencing PBDE emission, dispersion, deposition, accumulation, and degradation. Owing to their lipophilic properties, PBDEs preferentially accumulate in solid environmental matrices, with recycling centers exhibiting markedly higher concentrations than landfill/dumping sites. Although water and leachates also contain PBDEs, the presence of organic matter in leachates enhances leaching, resulting in concentrations higher than in pure water yet still lower than in solid matrices. This paper further intends to address the knowledge gaps and aid researchers in designing risk assessment and environmental monitoring studies. In conclusion, developed regions must reduce processing costs and expand recycling capacity, while developing regions need to invest in sustainable e-waste management infrastructure and enforce stricter regulations.