Studies on the Contamination Status, Bioaccumulation and Risk Assessment of PBDE, Brominated Flame Retardant, in the Environment

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The present study aimed at elucidating the status of environmental contamination and distribution of PBDEs (polybrominated diphenylethers), a group of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and accessing their bioaccumulation features and ecological risk Particularly, we attempted to make clear the spatial and temporal trends of PBDEs in coastal and marine biota, and further assess human exposure to these BFRs in the Asia-Pacific. This study was based partly on utilizing samples archived in the environmental specimen bank (es-BANK) of Ehime University, Japan.The studies suggest that the target BFRs are ubiquitous in the environment of Asia-Pacific, as PBDEs were detected in almost all the samples collected. Examination of spatial trends reveals that concentrations of these contaminants are relatively high in samples from Korea, South China and Japan. In general, the magnitude of environmental contamination by PBDEs in the Asia-Pacific, as well as human exposure to these contaminants, seem to be comparable to or slightly higher than in Europe, but lower than in North America. Evaluation of temporal trends in the concentrations of PBDEs in marine mammals from the coastal waters of Japan and China showed drastic increase during the last 30 years. These changes in BFR levels in samples from Japan were in line with trends in production/use of the commercial formulations. The increasing environmental contamination by PBDEs in Chinese coastal waters indicates the contamination by BFRs has already become evident, even in developing countries. In view of the rising environmental levels and the increasing consumption of BFRs in Asia, thither efforts should be made to monitor environmental contamination by these chemicals in order to identify sources and reduce emissions.