Hexabromocyclododecane: Current Understanding of Chemistry, Environmental Fate and Toxicology and Implications for Global Management

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 45; no. 20; pp. 8613 - 8623
• Main Authors: Marvin, Christopher H, Tomy, Gregg T, Armitage, James M, Arnot, Jon A, McCarty, Lynn, Covaci, Adrian, Palace, Vince
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.10.2011
• Subjects: Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Decision making; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - chemistry; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Environmental Pollutants - toxicity; Exact sciences and technology; Fishes - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Global environmental pollution; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - chemistry; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - metabolism; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - toxicity; Medical sciences; Pollutants; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Polystyrene; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Toxicity; Toxicology; Pollutant behavior; Toxicity; Flame retardant; Organic bromine compounds; Endocrine disruptor; Review; Time variation; Hexabromocyclododecane; Persistent organic pollutant; Persistence; Carcinogen; Pollution; Toxicology; Health and environment; Environment impact; Long range pollutant transport; Environment; Biological accumulation; Physicochemical properties; Public health; Organic compounds; Concentration distribution
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es201548c

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a globally produced brominated flame retardant (BFR) used primarily as an additive FR in polystyrene and textile products and has been the subject of intensified research, monitoring and regulatory interest over the past decade. HBCD is currently being evaluated under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. HBCD is hydrophobic (i.e., has low water solubility) and thus partitions to organic phases in the aquatic environment (e.g., lipids, suspended solids). It is ubiquitous in the global environment with monitoring data generally exhibiting the expected relationship between proximity to known sources and levels; however, temporal trends are not consistent. Estimated degradation half-lives, together with data in abiotic compartments and long-range transport potential indicate HBCD may be sufficiently persistent and distributed to be of global concern. The detection of HBCD in biota in the Arctic and in source regions and available bioaccumulation data also support the case for regulatory scrutiny. Toxicity testing has detected reproductive, developmental and behavioral effects in animals where exposures are sufficient. Recent toxicological advances include a better mechanistic understanding of how HBCD can interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, affect normal development, and impact the central nervous system; however, levels in biota in remote locations are below known effects thresholds. For many regulatory criteria, there are substantial uncertainties that reduce confidence in evaluations and thereby confound management decision-making based on currently available information.