Terminal elimination half-lives of the brominated flame retardants TBBPA, HBCD, and lower brominated PBDEs in humans

Abstract

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are widely used in polymers and textiles and applied in electronic equipment, construction materials, and furniture for the purpose of fire prevention. BFRs with the highest production volume are tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), 1,2,5,6,9,10- hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs: α-HBCD + β-HBCD + γ-HBCD), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Several BFRs are highly lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which have been identified in the aquatic and terrestrial environment including wildlife and humans. In exposed organisms including humans toxic effects, bioaccumulation, metabolism, and phannacokinetics (especially half-life t<sub>1/2</sub>) are important criterions in the hazard assessment.<br />The aim of the present study was to estimate the terminal elimination half-lives (t<sub>1/2H</sub>) of the main BFRs from the whole body (also named body-burden half-life) and/or from the adipose tissue (fat) of adult humans. The t<sub>1/2H </sub>data for the following BFRs were evaluated: TBBPA, HBCD, 2,2 ',4,4' - tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), 2,2' ,4,4' ,5-pentaBDE (BDE-99), 2,2' ,4,4' ,6-pentaBDE (BDE100), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE (BDE-153), and 2,2' ,4,4',5,6-hexaBDE (BDE-154).