Detection of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in the urban soils of Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

A range of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been incorporated into polymeric materials like plastics, electronic equipment, foams and textiles to prevent fires. The most common of these, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), have been subject to legislated bans and voluntary withdrawal by manufacturers in North America, Europe and Australia over the past decade due to long-range atmospheric transport, persistence in the environment, and toxicity. Evidence has shown that replacement novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) are released to the environment by the same mechanisms as PBDEs and share similar hazardous properties. The objective of the current research was to characterize ..