Pollutants brominated flame retardants

Eljarrat E, de la Cal A, Raldua D, Duran C, Barcelo D (2005) Brominated flame retardants in Albumus albumus from Cinca River Basin (Spain). Environ Pollut 133 501-508... 

The Ebro catchment is the largest river basin in Spain. It covers an area of 85,362 km2 (http //www.chebro.es) and receives the potential influence of three million people. It suffers a considerable ecological impact from different industrial activities located predominantly in the last third of its course. These activities result on the release to the Ebro River and to some of its tributaries of Tm quantities of chlorinated organic compounds, PBDE and other brominated flame retardants, mercury, and other metals. In addition, intensive agricultural practices, mainly concentrated in the last 30 km of the river course and in its Delta, imply the use of large quantity of pesticides and fertilizers. In this paper, we review physiological effects of these pollutants in resident fish and shellfish populations and provide a general picture of the health status of the low course of the Ebro River. 

Harju M, Heimstad ES, Herzke D, Sandanger T, Posner S, Wania F (2009) Emerging new brominated flame retardants in flame retarded products and the environment. Report 2462, Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, Oslo, Norway... 

Jansson B. Asplund L. 1987. Brominated flame retardants-ubiquitous environmental pollutants Chemosphere 16(10-12) 2343-2349. 

Ramu, K., Kajiwara, N., Isobe, T., Takahashi, S., Kim, E., Min, B., We, S., Tanabe, S., 2007. Spatial distribution and accumulation of brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) from coastal waters of Korea. Environ. Pollut. (in press) (doi 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.11.034). 

Jaspers V, Covaci A, Maervoet J, Dauwe T, Voorspoels S, Schepens P, Eens M. 2005. Brominated flame retardants and organochlorine pollutants in eggs of little owls (Athene noctua) from Belgium. Environ Pollut 136 81-88. 

Pulkrabova, J., Hradkova, P., Hajslova, P., Poustka, J. Brominated flame retardants and other organochlorine pollutants in human adipose tissue samples from the Czech Republic. J. Environ. Int. 35, 63-68 (2009)... 

Cristale, J., Katsoyiannis, A., Sweetman, A.J. Occurrence and risk assessment of organophosphorus and brominated flame retardants in the River Aire (UK). Environ. Pollut. 179, 194 (2013)... 

Three basic principles have emerged as common themes in these policies the Polluter Pays Principle clarifies who bears the costs for chemical contamination the Substitution Principle encourages the adoption of the safest chemicals and the Precautionary Principle promotes preventive action even in the face of the uncertainties of risks (see Section 3.3.2 for a more in depth discussion of the Precautionary Principle). Specifically, the new national chemicals policies of Northern European countries have relied on rapid screening tests for determining regulatory actions on chemicals, focused on products and product lifecycles for risk reduction, established lists of undesirable substances, and, in limited cases, employed government authority to phase out the use of the most hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants and chlorinated paraffins (for a more extensive review, see Tickner and Geiser, 2003, www.chemicalspolicy.org). 

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are often the most effective when both performance and cost are considered. While these FRs are of positive benefit, used to protect the polymers that make up television sets, personal computers, soft furnishings, etc., they are now an issue related to environmental pollution and, in some quarters, deemed toxic. Some studies indicating the presence of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in marine life and breast milk have added fuel to the environmental lobby s calls to have these products banned or their use severely restricted. 

One of the main concerns with plastic resin pellets is that they carry persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are human-made chemicals used in a variety of anthropogenic activities, including industry, agriculture and daily life. POPs include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), different sorts of organochloiine pesticides (e.g. DDTs and HCHs) and brominated flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs). Because of their very slow rate of degradation, POPs are persistent in the environment. POPs are... 

Pollutant from coal-fired power plants Combnstion of fossil fnels, tobacco smoke Contaminants of brominated flame retardants Breakdown prodncts from Teflon and fabric protectors... 

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