Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in air samples from near a large outdoor automotive shredding and metal recycling facility and the surrounding local area. This was done using a combination of active air samplers (AAS) measuring particle–associated and vapor–phase compounds, and, for the first time, passive air samplers (PAS) consisting ...

BACKGROUND Population pharmacokinetic models combined with multiple sets of age-concentration biomonitoring data facilitate back-calculation of chemical uptake rates from biomonitoring data. OBJECTIVES We back-calculated uptake rates of PBDEs for the Australian population from multiple biomonitoring surveys (top-down) and compared them with uptake rates calculated from dietary intake estimate...

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in surface sediments from 121 locations within the Southern California Bight. Site selection was based on a probabilistic approach to determine the spatial extent and magnitude of PBDE concentrations with known confidence intervals. Coastal embayments (including estuaries, marinas, ports, and bays) and the continental shelf out to the lower s...

BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have been implicated as disruptors of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Animals exposed to PBDEs may show reduced plasma thyroid hormone (TH), but it is not known whether PBDEs impact TH-regulated pathways in target tissues. OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of dietary exposure to 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-...

In Belgium, 16 shredding facilities manage annually tens of thousands tons wastes from different origins (end-of-life vehicles, electronic waste, electrical transformers, …). These materials contain hazardous persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs), biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The process promotes the production emi...

Here we show that combustion sources, including waste incinerators, metallurgical processes, power-heating systems and so on, are also important emitters of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to the atmosphere. Geometric mean PBDE concentrations in the stack flue gases of the combustion sources ranged from 8.07 to 469 ng/Nm3. The sinter plants (24.7 mg/h), electric arc furnaces (EAFs) (11.3...

Resident killer whale populations in the NE Pacific Ocean are at risk due to the accumulation of pollutants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). To assess the impact of PBDEs in water and sediments in killer whale critical habitat, we developed a food web bioaccumulation model. The model was designed to estimate PBDE concentrations in killer whales based on PBDE concentrations in ...

BACKGROUND Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are capable of disrupting thyroid hormone homeostasis. PBDE-47 (2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether) is one of the most abundant congeners found in human breast adipose tissue and maternal milk samples. OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effects of developmental exposure to low doses of PBDE-47 on the female reproductive system. METHODS Pregnant Wis...

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants historically used in textiles, furniture, and electronic products. Recent studies have documented widespread PBDE exposure to humans, with higher levels measured in children than adults. We analyzed 10 tri- to hepta-BDE congener levels in blood collected from 7-year old Mexican-American children living in an agriculture comm...

Naturally produced polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) pervade the marine environment and structurally resemble toxic man-made brominated flame retardants. PBDEs bioaccumulate in marine animals and are likely transferred to the human food chain. However, the biogenic basis for PBDE production in one of their most prolific sources, marine sponges of the order Dysideidae, remains unidentified....