Currently used organophosphate and brominated flame retardants in the environment of China and other developing countries (2000–2016)

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 24; no. 23; pp. 18721 - 18741
• Main Authors: Ali, Nadeem, Shahzad, Khurram, Rashid, Muhammad Imtiaz, Shen, Heqing, Ismail, Iqbal Mohammad Ibrahim, Eqani, Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.08.2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bromination; Chemical industry; Chemicals; China; Compartments; Consumer products; Developing Countries; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental management; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental science; Ethers; Fire protection; fire safety; Flame retardants; Flame Retardants - analysis; Formulations; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - analysis; LDCs; Organophosphates; Organophosphates - analysis; Plasticizers; Plasticizers - analysis; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Product safety; Review Article; Safety regulations; toxic substances; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; China; Developing countries; Organophosphate compounds; New brominated flame retardants; Environmental occurrence
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9336-3

This review summarizes the environmental occurrence of new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and organophosphate compounds (OPs) in the environment of developing countries since 2000. The ban on the production and use of commercial formulations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have paved the way for the high use of NBFRs and OPs in consumer products to fulfill the fire safety regulations. Recent studies have shown that the ever increasing production volumes and extensive use of these chemicals as additive FRs and plasticizers have resulted into their ubiquitous occurrence in all environmental compartments. Although presumed to be safe for use and the environment, recent studies on their occurrence and persistence in the environment have raised questions. Due to the lack of awareness, research interest, and availability of technical facilities, limited scientific data is available on the occurrence of these chemicals in developing countries. In this study, we collected reported data and provide an overview of environmental occurrence of NBFRs and OPs in abiotic and biotic matrices of different developing countries. Finally, research gaps were identified with recommendations for future research work and would be useful towards the environmental management of these toxic chemicals.