Reassessment of data accuracy and human exposure of decabrominated diphenyl ether in food samples

Abstract

The information of deca-BDE in the environment, particularly in biota, has been limited due to both underestimation of its toxicity and the challenges in the analysis. However, recently, deca-BDE was detected with an unusually noticeable concentration in biotic samples and non-decrease trend of deca-BDE level in the abiotic environment. In addition, the exceedingly high utilization in the past and continuous use currently can cause the high accumulation of deca-BDE in the environment and the potential of biomagnification in the food chain. The above-mentioned factors lead to the requirement of reassessment of deca-BDE in biota and questions about data accuracy in previous reports where deca-BDE was either excluded or not detected. Otherwise, in biota, are the high residuals of lower brominated PBDEs from external exposure or from the degradation of deca-BDE, and should we be more concerned about the practical toxicity of deca-BDE? Herein, we have validated the analytical methodology for deca-BDE using GC-HRMS and investigated deca-BDE residuals in various species of the biological matrices. This present study provides an overview of factors affecting on deca-BDE residuals in biota and answers the occurrence of deca-BDE in biota and is the first report covering the distribution of highly brominated diphenyl ethers in various matrices. Eventually, based on these results, it defines a need of deca-BDE reassessment in biota and raises an awareness about the human health risk of deca-BDE.