Levels of flame retardants in fish from the Baltic Sea, Sweden

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are commonly used brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in products such as computers, furniture, carpets and other materials. PBDEs and HBCD are incorporated into the matrix without chemical binding. Since they are not bound to the polymer product, they have the potential to leak and escape into the environment (Hutzinger et al. 1976; Hutzinger and Thoma 1987). Due to their chemical properties, lipophilicity and persistence, these substances have been detected in several biological matrices. The toxic effects are not yet fully understood, but for example, neurodevelopmental as well as thyroid hormone alterations has been reported (for review see Darnerud 2003). For risk assessment purposes, the Swedish National Food Administration has during the last years conducted surveys on levels of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in fish from the Baltic region. These studies have included the “traditional” POPs, such as PCBs, PCDD/DFs, and pesticides, as well as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). The aim with the present survey is to obtain relevant BFR data for the ongoing evaluation of levels and trends of these contaminants in fish, as a base for human risk assessment.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

PBDEs

HBCD

BFRs

fish

contaminants

human risk assessment

Baltic sea

Vänern

Vättern

Mälaren

Hjälmaren

Rebnisjaure

Swedish west coast

PBDE

HBCD

BFR

fisk

miljögifter

riskbedömning

Östersjön

Vänern

Vättern

Mälaren

Hjälmaren

Rebnisjaure

västkusten

Nationell miljöövervakning

National

Miljögiftssamordning

Toxic

Screening

Screening

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

rap (ämneskategori)