GLIN==> UPCOMING SEMINAR

[Kanika Suri <Kanika.Suri@noaa.gov>]

Dr. *Linda S. Birnbaum*, from the National Health and Environmental 
Research Laboratory, United States Environmental Protection Agency, will 
be giving a seminar on Wednesday October 25, as a part of the NOAA/ 
University of Michigan Great Lakes and Human Health Seminar Series.

Please find details of her talk listed below.

Title: Brominated Flame Retardants: What we know, and what we don’t

Speaker: *Linda S. Birnbaum*, National Health and Environmental Research 
Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency

Date: Wednesday October 25

Time: 1130 AM

Location: University of Michigan School of Public Health II, Auditorium
109 Observatory St., Ann Arbor, MI, 48109
(Visit http://www.sph.umich.edu/about/transportation.html for 
transportation and parking details)

Abstract
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) represent a large and diverse class 
of high volume industrial chemicals which have been developed to provide 
fire safety. There are many other BFRs which have been used and are 
under development. Historically, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were 
used but they were banned because of their persistence, bioaccumulation, 
and toxicity. Some of these are being detected in environmental samples. 
The three major BFRs in use today are tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), 
hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and the polybrominated diphenyl ethers 
(PBDEs), which involves three commercial mixtures, Penta, Octa, and the 
only one still in production, Deca. TBBPA is the largest volume chemical 
and is used both as an additive and reactive flame retardant, primarily 
in electronics. It has moderate persistence, little bioaccumulation, and 
relatively low concern for toxicity, although it may have some endocrine 
disrupting properties. HBCD is also used in electronics, but is more 
persistent and bioaccumulative. Its isomeric composition changes as it 
undergoes fate, transport, and metabolism. It is found in increasing 
concentrations in wildlife and human samples, and there is growing 
concern for its potential toxicity. The PBDEs are also additive BFRs, 
but their properties and uses differ. Penta was used largely in 
polyurethane foam; Octa in office equipment; and Deca in polymers for 
electronic equipment and textile backings. Increasing concentrations of 
PBDE congeners have been found in environmental samples, wildlife, and 
people. The congeneric profile in biota differs from that in the 
commercial mixtures. The major pathways to human exposure are uncertain, 
although both dust and food are likely. Penta and Octa have been banned 
in Europe, and production withdrawn in the US, in part because of 
growing concern for their toxicity, including enzyme induction, 
endocrine disruption, and developmental reproductive and neurotoxicity. 
Deca is the major use PBDE product worldwide. Recent studies have 
demonstrated that it can be broken down in the environment by light and 
microbes, and metabolically in mammals. Some concerns for its toxicity, 
or that of its breakdown products, come from reports of its 
carcinogenicity in two year rodent studies and developmental 
neurotoxicity. Recently, it has been detected in wildlife and people. 
Alternatives are being suggested and use. Questions remain about their 
safety, as well as that of the existing BFRs. (This abstract does not 
reflect Agency policy.)
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If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at 
kanika.suri@noaa.gov; or call 734-741-2147.

For more information about the seminar series, please visit our website 
at http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/news/seminars/

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Kanika Suri
Web Designer Associate

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
2205 Commonwealth Blvd.,
Ann Arbor, MI
48105

Tel: (734) 741-2147
Fax: (734) 741-2055

www.glerl.noaa.gov

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