Biomaterial Database

Biodegradation of brominated and organophosphorus flame retardants. 2016

Susanne L Waaijers, and John R Parsons

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Safety of Substances and Products, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.

Brominated flame retardants account for about 21% of the total production of flame retardants and many of these have been identified as persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. Nevertheless, debromination of these chemicals under anaerobic conditions is well established, although this can increase their toxicity. Consequently, the production and use of these chemicals has been restricted and alternative products have been developed. Many of these are brominated compounds and share some of the disadvantages of the chemicals they are meant to replace. Therefore, other, nonbrominated, flame retardants such as organophosphorus compounds are also being used in increasing quantities, despite the fact that knowledge of their biodegradation and environmental fate is often lacking.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010755	Organophosphates	Carbon-containing phosphoric acid derivatives. Included under this heading are compounds that have CARBON atoms bound to one or more OXYGEN atoms of the P(	Organophosphate,Phosphates, Organic,Phosphoric Acid Esters,Organopyrophosphates,Acid Esters, Phosphoric,Esters, Phosphoric Acid,Organic Phosphates
D011075	Polybrominated Biphenyls	Biphenyl compounds which are extensively brominated. Many of these compounds are toxic environmental pollutants.	Polybromobiphenyl Compounds,Biphenyls, Polybrominated,Compounds, Polybromobiphenyl
D001966	Bromine	A halogen with the atomic symbol Br, atomic number 35, and atomic weight 79.904. It is a volatile reddish-brown liquid that gives off suffocating vapors, is corrosive to the skin, and may cause severe gastroenteritis if ingested.	Bromine-79,Bromine 79
D004986	Ether	A mobile, very volatile, highly flammable liquid used as an inhalation anesthetic and as a solvent for waxes, fats, oils, perfumes, alkaloids, and gums. It is mildly irritating to skin and mucous membranes.	Diethyl Ether,Ether, Ethyl,Ethyl Ether,Ether, Diethyl
D005411	Flame Retardants	Materials applied to fabrics, bedding, furniture, plastics, etc. to retard their burning; many may leach out and cause allergies or other harm.	Fire Retardant,Fire Retardants,Fireproofing Agent,Fireproofing Agents,Flame Retardant,Agent, Fireproofing,Agents, Fireproofing,Retardant, Fire,Retardant, Flame,Retardants, Fire,Retardants, Flame
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001673	Biodegradation, Environmental	Elimination of ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS; PESTICIDES and other waste using living organisms, usually involving intervention of environmental or sanitation engineers.	Bioremediation,Phytoremediation,Natural Attenuation, Pollution,Environmental Biodegradation,Pollution Natural Attenuation