The environmental occurrence of hexabromocyclododecane in Sweden

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2004, Vol.54 (1), p.9-21
• Main Authors: Remberger, Mikael, Sternbeck, John, Palm, Anna, Kaj, Lennart, Strömberg, Katarina, Brorström-Lundén, Eva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air; Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Cities; Clupea harengus; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Emission; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environment. Living conditions; Environmental concentrations; Environmental Pollution - analysis; Exact sciences and technology; Fishes - metabolism; Flame retardant; Flame Retardants - analysis; Food Analysis; Foodstuff; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geography; Global environmental pollution; HBCD; hexabromocyclododecane; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - analysis; Medical sciences; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Sweden
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00758-6

The brominated flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is extensively used in Europe, but data on the environmental concentrations of this chemical are scarce. A first screening has been performed concerning the environmental occurrence of HBCD in Sweden, a country where the chemical is not produced and the current industrial use is very limited. Possible emission sources were identified through a systematic analysis of the use in a life cycle perspective. In addition to a few point sources, diffuse emissions from polymeric products are possible. Measurements have been performed close to certain possible point sources, in the urban environment and in remote regions, and included air, deposition, water, soil, sediments, sludge, biota and foodstuffs. HBCD was detected in all media analysed and in all environments. The relatively high concentrations detected in herring and foodstuffs provide evidence for bioaccumulation of HBCD. The presence of HBCD in remote background air implies that HBCD has potential for long-range atmospheric transport. There are also some indications that diffuse emissions of HBCD occur in the urban environment.