Polybrominated biphenyl and diphenylether flame retardants: analysis, toxicity, and environmental occurrence

Data on two classes of brominated polyaromatic flame retardants are reviewed with emphasis on analytical aspects, occurrence, fate, and toxicity in the environment. Concentrations of brominated fire retardants are quantified as equivalents of commercial mixtures. Because different congeners behave differently in the environment and show large differences in toxicity, future studies would benefit from the availability of analytical standards of individual congeners. The main environmental properties and mechanisms of toxicity of the PBBs and PBDEs are similar to those of the structurally related PCBs and dibenzodioxins. Although the present concentrations of brominated fire retardants do not yet appear to represent a major environmental risk in marine food chains, their replacement by environmentally less harmful alternatives is recommended.