[Flame retardants--use and hazards for human].
Flame retardants (FRs) are chemicals which added to materials during or after manufacture, inhibit or even suppress the combustion process due to their thermal stability. Large quantities of FRs are added to the plastic material (resins) in variety of electrical and electronic appliances including television and computer casing. The other uses of these compounds include production of building materials, upholstered furniture, textiles, wall covering, carpets, hydraulic fluids as well as vehicles and aircraft. Taking into account the chemical structure, there are five main groups of FRs: brominated, chlorinated, phosphorous-containing, nitrogen-containing (i.e. melamines) and inorganic compounds. Halogenated compounds, especially polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of brominated flame retardants, due to their lipophilic characteristics and persistence have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. There are indications that PBDEs may affect hormone function acting as endocrine disruption and may be toxic for developing brain. These compounds have been associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in humans, a variety of cancers in rodents and disruption of thyroid hormones balance. Similarly to other persistent halogenated compounds they are also able to affect the xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes activity. PBDEs are now found as residues in sediments, wildlife and human (milk, serum adipose tissue) samples. The predominant congeners in environmental samples, including human specimens are two congeners: 47 and 99. Currently, the estimated daily intake of PBDEs by adult humans is equal 51 ng x day-1 while by breast-fed infants equals 110 ng x day-1.
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Zakład Toksykologii Srodowiskowej Państwowy Zakład Higieny 00-791 Warszawa, ul. Chocimska 24.
Struciński
Paweł
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Czaja
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Hernik
Agnieszka
A
Ludwicki
Jan K
JK
D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls
D002273:Carcinogens; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C086401:pentabromodiphenyl ether