title: Analytical and environmental aspects of the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A and its derivatives.
abstract: The present article reviews the available literature on the analytical and environmental aspects of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), a currently intensively used brominated flame retardant (BFR). Analytical methods, including sample preparation, chromatographic separation, detection techniques, and quality control are discussed. An important recent development in the analysis of TBBP-A is the growing tendency for liquid chromatographic techniques. At the detection stage, mass-spectrometry is a well-established and reliable technology in the identification and quantification of TBBP-A. Although interlaboratory exercises for BFRs have grown in popularity in the last 10 years, only a few participating laboratories report concentrations for TBBP-A. Environmental levels of TBBP-A in abiotic and biotic matrices are low, probably due to the major use of TBBP-A as reactive FR. As a consequence, the expected human exposure is low. This is in agreement with the EU risk assessment that concluded that there is no risk for humans concerning TBBP-A exposure. Much less analytical and environmental information exists for the various groups of TBBP-A derivatives which are largely used as additive flame retardants.
authors.affiliation: Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. adrian.covaci@ua.ac.be
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Covaci
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Voorspoels
authors.forename: Mohamed Abou-Elwafa
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.forename: Tinne
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Geens
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harrad
authors.forename: Robin J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Law