Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Residue Analysis Method for Fish Tissues from Remote, High Elevation Ecosystems

Introduction Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are a class of compounds used as flame retardants in synthetic materials whose production has been increasing substantially in the last two decades (Figure 1). Some PBDEs have shown persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic properties (PBT). These compounds have been measured in urban and rural areas around the globe at low, but increasing levels of concentration over the past 20 years. Remote atmospheric measurements confirm that some PBDEs have been transported atmospherically to remote areas, but there are few measurements of PBDEs in remote abiotic matricies to date. The documentation of PBDEs transport and fate to date is limited. Given these PBT properties, potential exists for adverse effects in remote ecosystems from the buildup of deposited PBDEs within high trophic level organisms. Some high trophic level marine species sampled in remote locations have shown moderate levels of PBDEs. However, there is little evidence of atmospheric deposition of PBDEs to remote ecosystems.