title: [Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: sources of exposure and expected health effects].
abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) along with hexabromocyclododecan, tetrabromobisphenol A and polybrominated biphenyls have been widely used for several decades as flame retardants. They have been added to consumer products, such as car and furniture upholstery, TV sets and computers. PBDE are not chemically bound to the polymers therefore, they can leach into the environment. They have been found in household dust, food, human breast milk, human adipose tissue and human serum. In this paper the potential major sources of emission of PBDEs, human biomonitoring data and results of experimental studies are reviewed. The available data shows that this group of compounds requires a particular concern because of their possibly adverse effects on human health and the environment.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Bezpieczeństwa Chemicznego, Laboratorium Badawczo-Pomiarowe Organicznych Zanieczyszczeń Srodowiska, Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. J. Nofera, ul. sw. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź, Poland. mczerska@imp.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Czerska
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamińska
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zieliński
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ligocka
mesh_terms: D004782:Environmental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000633:toxicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical