Comparative Metabolism Studies of Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) Diastereomers in Male Rats Following a Single Oral Dose

Co-metabolic degradation and metabolite detection of hexabromocyclododecane by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a widely used brominated flame retardant; however, it is a persistent organic pollutant as well as affects the human thyroid hormones and causes cancer. However, the degradation of HBCD has received little attention from researchers. Due to its bioaccumulative and hazardous properties, an appropriate strategy for its remediation is required. In this study, we investigated the biodegradation of HBCD using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 under optimized conditions. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was implemented for the optimization of the physical degradation parameters of HBCD. S. oneidensis MR-1 showed the best degradation performance at a temperature of 30 °C, pH 7, and agitation speed of 115 rpm, with an HBCD concentration of 1125 μg/L in mineral salt medium (MSM). The strain tolerated up to 2000 μg/L HBCD. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified three intermediates, including 2-bromo dodecane, 2,7,10-trimethyldodecane, and 4-methyl-1-decene. The results provide an insightful understanding of the biodegradation of HBCD by S. oneidensis MR-1 under optimized conditions and could pave the way for further eco-friendly applications. KEY POINTS: • HBCD biodegradation by Shewanella oneidensis • Optimization of HBCD biodegradation by the Box-Behnken analysis • Identification of useful metabolites from HBCD degradation.

Occurrence and Health Effects of Hexabromocyclododecane: An Updated Review

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a non-aromatic compound belonging to the bromine flame retardant family and is a known persistent organic pollutant (POP). This compound accumulates easily in the environment and has a high half-life in water. With a variety of uses, the HBCD is found in house dust, electronics, insulation, and construction. There are several isomers and the most studied are α-, β-, and γ-HBCD. Initially used as a substitute for other flame retardants, the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the discovery of its role as a POP made HBCD use and manufacturing restricted in Europe and other countries. The adverse effects on the environment and human health have been piling, either as a result from its accumulation or considering its power as an endocrine disruptor (ED). Furthermore, it has also been proven that it has detrimental effects on the neuronal system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system, liver, and the reproductive system. HBCD has also been linked to cytokine production, DNA damage, increased cell apoptosis, increased oxidative stress, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Therefore, this review aims to compile the most recent studies regarding the negative effects of this compound on the environment and human health, describing the possible mechanisms by which this compound acts and its possible toxic effects.

Occurrence and tissue-specific partitioning of alternative brominated flame retardants in northwest Atlantic harbor seal pups (Phoca vitulina vitulina)

Brominated flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used for decades until evidence of negative health effects led to bans in many countries. PBDEs have since been replaced by alternative legacy compounds or newly developed chemicals. In this study, eight alternative brominated flame retardants were analyzed in blubber and liver of harbor seal pups (≤6 months) from the Northwest Atlantic collected during 2001-2010 to elucidate concentrations, patterns, contamination trends, potential maternal transfer, and tissue partitioning. All compounds were detected in liver and blubber tissues with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) isomers and 2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) predominating. Overall, α-HBCD was the dominant HBCD isomer in both tissues although the concentrations of γ-HBCD exceeded those of α-HBCD in seven pups, indicating their mothers may have had alternative dietary patterns or recent exposure to the commercial mixture. Although it was detected in less than half of the samples, to our knowledge, this is the first study to report tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) concentrations in multiple tissues of a top marine predator. For the brominated components of Firemaster® flame retardants, TBB concentrations exceeded bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH). This pattern may result from recent exposure to commercial mixtures in which TBB exceeds TBPH 4:1 or from differences in perinatal or lactational transfer efficiency of the two compounds. Between the two tissues, lipid-normalized β-HBCD, γ-HBCD, TBB and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) concentrations were significantly higher in liver than blubber. This indicates that the bioaccumulation of these chemicals is not simply related to lipid dynamics but may be linked to blood proteins. This study demonstrates that harbor seal pups from this region are contaminated with alternative flame retardants passed to them via placental or lactational transfer. Given the evidence for negative health effects of these chemicals, this contamination adds additional pressure on the first year survival of these young, developing animals.

Bioavailability of non-aromatic brominated flame retardants in rats from dust and oil vehicles

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant (BFR) labeled by the Stockholm Convention as a persistent organic pollutant (POP) and exists primarily as three stereoisomers, i.e. α-, β-, and γ. One of the major routes of human exposure to HBCD is dust found in homes, offices, and cars and dust may be the most important route of HBCD exposure in young children. A study was conducted to determine the oral bioavailability of HBCD from household dust in rats over a 21-d feeding period relative to HBCD bioavailability from a corn oil matrix. Twenty-four hours after the last exposure, rats were sacrificed, and various tissues were collected. HBCD diastereomers were detected in adipose, blood, and liver of both dose groups, suggesting HBCD is bioavailable from both oil and dust. β-HBCD concentrations were below the limit of detection in all tissues, but α-HBCD was detected in the brain of oil-dose rats and in adipose and liver of both dose groups. γ-HBCD was the dominant diastereomer in adipose, blood, and liver samples regardless of dosing matrix. Except for γ-HBCD in muscle of the oil-dosed group, muscle did not contain measurable HBCDs. Adipose tissue accumulated HBCD to a greater extent than muscle or liver, having bioaccumulation factors greater than 1.

Metabolic transformation of environmentally-relevant brominated flame retardants in Fauna: A review

Over the past few decades, production trends of the flame retardant (FR) industry, and specifically for brominated FRs (BFRs), is for the replacement of banned and regulated compounds with more highly brominated, higher molecular weight compounds including oligomeric and polymeric compounds. Chemical, biological, and environmental stability of BFRs has received some attention over the years but knowledge is currently lacking in the transformation potential and metabolism of replacement emerging or novel BFRs (E/NBFRs). For articles published since 2015, a systematic search strategy reviewed the existing literature on the direct (e.g., in vitro or in vivo) non-human BFR metabolism in fauna (animals). Of the 51 papers reviewed, and of the 75 known environmental BFRs, PBDEs were by far the most widely studied, followed by HBCDDs and TBBPA. Experimental protocols between studies showed large disparities in exposure or incubation times, age, sex, depuration periods, and of the absence of active controls used in in vitro experiments. Species selection emphasized non-standard test animals and/or field-collected animals making comparisons difficult. For in vitro studies, confounding variables were generally not taken into consideration (e.g., season and time of day of collection, pollution point-sources or human settlements). As of 2021 there remains essentially no information on the fate and metabolic pathways or kinetics for 30 of the 75 environmentally relevant E/BFRs. Regardless, there are clear species-specific and BFR-specific differences in metabolism and metabolite formation (e.g. BDE congeners and HBCDD isomers). Future in vitro and in vivo metabolism/biotransformation research on E/NBFRs is required to better understand their bioaccumulation and fate in exposed organisms. Also, studies should be conducted on well characterized lab (e.g., laboratory rodents, zebrafish) and commonly collected wildlife species used as captive models (crucian carp, Japanese quail, zebra finches and polar bears).

A PBPK model describing the pharmacokinetics of γ-HBCD exposure in mice

The brominated flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), is added-but not bound-to consumer products and is eventually found in the environment and human tissues. Commercial-grade HBCD mixtures contain three major stereoisomers, alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ), that are typically at a ratio of 12%:6%:82%, respectively. Although HBCD is widely used, the toxicological effects from its exposure in humans are not clearly understood. Using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model could help improve our understanding of the toxicity of HBCD. The aim of this work was to develop a PBPK model, consisting of five permeability limited compartments (i.e., brain, liver, adipose tissue, blood, and rest of the body), to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of γ-HBCD in C57BL/6 mice. Physiological parameters related to body size, organ weights, and blood flow were taken from the literature. All partition coefficients were calculated based on the log Kow. The elimination in urine and feces was optimized to reflect the percent dose eliminated, as published in the literature. Compared with data from the literature for brain, liver, blood, and adipose tissue, the model simulations accurately described the mouse data set within 1.5-fold of the data points. Also, two examples showing the utility of the PBPK model supplement the information regarding the internal dose that caused the health effects observed during these studies. Although this version of the PBPK model expressly describes γ-HBCD, more efforts are needed to clarify and improve the model to discriminate between the α, β, and γ stereoisomers.

Hexabromocyclododecanes Are Dehalogenated by CYP168A1 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain HS9

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are widely used brominated flame retardants that cause antidiuretic hormone syndrome and even induce cancer. However, little information is available about the degradation mechanisms of HBCDs. In this study, genomic and proteomic analyses, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, and gene knockout assays reveal that a cytochrome P450-encoding gene is responsible for HBCD catabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa HS9. The CO difference spectrum of the enzyme CYP168A1 was matched to P450 characteristics via UV visibility. We demonstrate that the reactions of debromination and hydrogenation are carried out one after another based on detection of the metabolites pentabromocyclododecanols (PBCDOHs), tetrabromocyclododecadiols (TBCDDOHs), and bromide ion. In the ¹⁸O isotope experiments, PBCD¹⁸OHs were only detected in the H₂¹⁸O group, proving that the added oxygen is derived from H₂O, not from O₂. This study elucidates the degradation mechanism of HBCDs by Pseudomonas. IMPORTANCE Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are environmental pollutants that are widely used in industry. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel key dehalogenase, CYP168A1, that is responsible for HBCD degradation from Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain HS9. This study provides new insights into understanding biodegradation of HBCDs.

Update of the risk assessment of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in food. HBCDDs, predominantly mixtures of the stereoisomers α-, β- and γ-HBCDD, were widely used additive flame retardants. Concern has been raised because of the occurrence of HBCDDs in the environment, food and in humans. Main targets for toxicity are neurodevelopment, the liver, thyroid hormone homeostasis and the reproductive and immune systems. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour in mice can be considered the critical effects. Based on effects on spontaneous behaviour in mice, the Panel identified a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 0.9 mg/kg body weight (bw) as the Reference Point, corresponding to a body burden of 0.75 mg/kg bw. The chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans was calculated to be 2.35 μg/kg bw per day. The derivation of a health-based guidance value (HBGV) was not considered appropriate. Instead, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was applied to assess possible health concerns. Over 6,000 analytical results for HBCDDs in food were used to estimate the exposure across dietary surveys and age groups of the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary LB exposure to HBCDDs were fish meat, eggs, livestock meat and poultry. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the resulting MOE values support the conclusion that current dietary exposure to HBCDDs across European countries does not raise a health concern. An exception is breastfed infants with high milk consumption, for which the lowest MOE values may raise a health concern.

Concentrations and Long-Term Temporal Trends of Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDD) in Lake Trout and Walleye from the Great Lakes

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) is a hazardous, persistent, bioaccumlative brominated flame retardant. To investigate how its use has affected the Great Lakes, total HBCDD (∑HBCDD) concentrations and temporal trends in homogenized whole fish samples from the Great Lakes region (1978 to 2016) were determined. ∑HBCDD concentrations (ng/g ww) for each lake are Erie (0.49-2.60), Ontario (3.12-8.90), Michigan (3.91-9.01), Superior (5.69-13.1), and Huron (5.57-13.7). Early years (1978 to 1992) showed no significant trend. However, recent trends (2004 to 2016) suggest concentrations are increasing in Lakes Erie and Ontario, decreasing in Lakes Superior and Michigan, and not changing in Lake Huron. Decreasing trends for Lakes Superior and Michigan are likely the result of decreased usage of the compound globally, regionally, and locally. For the other lakes, increasing or zero trends are consistent with food web changes due to invasive species and climate change, which has caused more intense storms and less ice cover leading to increased sediment resuspension.

Mass balance study of brominated flame retardants in female captive peregrine falcons

Little is known about brominated flame retardant (BFR) dynamics in birds, especially large molecules such as decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209). In particular, bioaccumulation from food and transfer dynamics to eggs are poorly understood. Therefore, an input-output mass balance study of tri-decaBDEs, DBDPE and HBCDD was performed in three female peregrine falcons from a captive breeding program by analyzing their naturally contaminated food (quail, chicken (cockerels)), plasma, feces and eggs. Predominant BFRs in cockerels and quail were BDE-209 and DBDPE, as well as HBCDD in quail. The predominant BFRs found in falcon plasma were BDE-209, -153 and -183, in eggs, HBCDD, BDE-209 and -153 and in feces, BDE-209. Mean absorption efficiencies (AE) for the tetra-octabrominated BDEs ranged from 84-100% and 70% for HBCDD. The AEs for BDE-206, -207, -208 and -209 varied due to the large variability seen for feces fluxes. All egg/plasma ratios for BDEs were similar and greater than one (range 1.1-2.7), including for BDE-209, indicating efficient transfer from females to the eggs. Excretion via egg-laying was approximately 6.0-29% of the initial, pre-breeding body burden of individual penta-decaBDE congeners, (15-45% for BDE-206). HBCDD was not detected in plasma but was found in eggs, also indicating efficient transfer and excretion via eggs. Input fluxes from food exceeded the output fluxes (feces, eggs) indicating considerable metabolism for tetra-octaBDEs, possibly also for the nona-decaBDEs and HBCDD. Bioaccumulation factors calculated from lipid weight concentrations in plasma and food (BAFp) were highest for BDE-208 (31), -153 (23), -209 (19) and -207 (16) and from eggs and food (BAFe), were highest for HBCDD (140), BDE-153 (41), -208 (42), BDE-207 (24) and BDE-209 (21). BAFe and BAFp values were below 10 for BDE-47, -99 and -100. For one falcon, egg results were available from three different years and estimated half-lives were 65 d (BDE-99), 624 d (BDE-153), 31 d (BDE-154), 349 d (BDE-183), 77 d (BDE-196) and 89 d (BDE-197).

Stereoisomer specific reaction of hexabromocyclododecane with reduced sulfur species in aqueous solutions

The individual degradation rates of the three dominant stereoisomers (α, β, γ) of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) with bisulfide and polysulfides were investigated at pH 9 in methanol/water solutions at two different temperatures (25 °C and 40 °C). Under all conditions investigated, α-HBCDD reacts 10 to 20 times slower with bisulfide than β-HBCDD and γ-HBCDD. The difference in reactivity of HBCDD isomers can be explained by the different populations of stable conformers with large dihedral angle between the vicinal bromine atoms. It was also observed that the reaction of HBCDD with polysulfides is about six times faster than with bisulfide. The experiments performed in solvent mixtures with increased water content at 40 °C indicated that the reaction of HBCDD with bisulfide is faster with higher percentage of water. The much slower abiotic reaction of α-HBCDD compared to β-HBCDD and γ-HBCDD could potentially contribute to the fact that α-HBCDD is more persistent in the environment than γ-HBCDD. Only one isomer of tetrabromocyclododecene (TBCDe-5) was identified as a degradation product of the reaction of HBCDD with reduced sulfur species. TBCDe-5 itself reacts about ten times slower with bisulfide and twenty times slower with polysulfide than HBCDD. The study demonstrates that polysulfides and bisulfides can reduce HBCDD sufficiently in natural anoxic environments and the dominant pathway for the degradation of HBCDD by reduced sulfur species is very likely to be the reductive debromination of vicinal dibromides via concerted anti-elimination.

Thermal catalytic degradation of α-HBCD, β-HBCD and γ-HBCD over Fe3O4 micro/nanomaterial: Kinetic behavior, product analysis and mechanism hypothesis

The new persistent organic pollutant (POP), 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), has been widely detected in various environmental media and proved to be biotoxic. However, the research on catalytic degradation of HBCD is in its infancy. Herein, we examined the degradation of α-HBCD, β-HBCD and γ-HBCD, over Fe₃O₄ micro/nanomaterial at 200 °C. The pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constants were in the range of 0.04-0.15 min^-1, with half-life values of 5-19 min. γ-HBCD is slightly less stable than β-HBCD, but both of them readily convert into α-HBCD, as consistent with the Gibbs free energies of isomers themselves. The four products containing pentabromocyclododecene, two isomers of tetrabromocyclododecene and 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene were detected by conventional GC-MS. Interestingly, a high-throughput non-target product detection were performed by ESI-FT-ICR-MS, where up to 59 types of intermediate products were determined. It is tentatively proposed that different types of bromine-removed products (C₁₂H₁₇Br₅, C₁₂H₁₈Br₄, C₁₂H₁₈, C₁₂H₁₉Br₅, C₁₂H₂₄ and C₁₂H₁₉Br₅O) and cyclododecane ring-opened products (C₁₂H₁₉Br₇, C₁₂H₂₀Br₆O and C₁₂H₂₀Br₆) form via elimination reaction, nucleophilic substitution, hydrodebromination and addition reaction. Besides, most of the products that were detected contained oxygen. The average carbon oxidation state (OS_c¯) of the products indicate that the oxidation reaction is the dominant reaction type. Deep oxidation products, such as small molecular organic acids (formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids) and gas-phase oxidation products (CO₂ and CO) were further detected by ion chromatography and GC-FID, respectively. This study might provide an alternative technique for the low-cost treatment of HBCD waste.

Roles of maize cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in stereo-selective metabolism of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) as evidenced by in vitro degradation, biological response and in silico studies

In vitro biotransformation of HBCDs by maize cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, responses of CYPs to HBCDs at protein and transcription levels, and in silico simulation of interactions between CYPs and HBCDs were investigated in order to elucidate the roles of CYPs in the metabolism of HBCDs in maize. The results showed that degradation reactions of HBCDs by maize microsomal CYPs followed the first-order kinetics and were stereo-selective, with the metabolic rates following the order (-)γ- > (+)γ- > (+)α- > (-)α-HBCD. The hydroxylated metabolites OH-HBCDs, OH-PBCDs and OH-TBCDs were detected. (+)/(-)-α-HBCDs significantly decreased maize CYP protein content and inhibited CYP enzyme activity, whereas (+)/(-)-γ-HBCDs had obvious effects on the induction of CYPs. HBCDs selectively mediated the gene expression of maize CYPs, including the isoforms of CYP71C3v2, CYP71C1, CYP81A1, CYP92A1 and CYP97A16. Molecular docking results suggested that HBCDs could bind with these five CYPs, with binding affinity following the order CYP71C3v2 < CYP81A1 < CYP97A16 < CYP92A1 < CYP71C1. The shortest distances between the Br-unsubstituted C atom of HBCD isomers and the iron atom of heme in CYPs were 4.18-11.7 Å, with only the distances for CYP71C3v2 being shorter than 6 Å (4.61-5.38 Å). These results suggested that CYP71C3v2 was an efficient catalyst for degradation of HBCDs. For (+)α- and (-)γ-HBCDs, their binding affinities to CYPs were lower and the distances to the iron atom of heme in CYPs were shorter than their corresponding antipodes, consistent with the in vitro experimental results showing that they had shorter half-lives and were more easily hydroxylated. This study provides solid evidence for the roles of maize CYPs in the metabolism of HBCDs, and gives insight into the molecular mechanisms of the enantio-selective metabolism of HBCDs by plant CYPs.

HBCD and TBBPA in human scalp hair: Evidence of internal exposure

Human biomonitoring is a reliable method for evaluating human exposure to specific contaminants. Although blood is an ideal matrix for monitoring purposes, it is regarded as an invasive matrix. Therefore, current developments in the field of human biomonitoring are based on introducing new methods that use non-invasive matrices, such as hair. In this study, we examined the efficiencies of several extraction methods for the analysis of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) in human hair. The selected pretreatment method was validated through a general QA/QC process that included spiking experiments, and then, the method was used for the determination of HBCD and TBBPA concentrations in scalp hair samples collected from individuals in Korea (n = 24) and Iran (n = 15). The HBCD and TBBPA concentrations in the collected hair samples ranged from ND to 3.24 ng g^-1 and ND to 16.04 ng g^-1, respectively. Significantly higher concentrations of TBBPA were found in hair samples from Korea than those in hair samples from Iran (p < 0.05), which is expected to be the result of the large market and higher exposure of TBBPA in Korea. HBCD was not detected in hair samples from Iran. According to our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating the presence of TBBPA in human hair with nonspecific exposure. Lastly, we investigated the important factors that influence the interpretation of the contributions of endogenous and exogenous contaminations in hair. Based on the information, the HBCD and TBBPA in the collected hair samples were most likely from endogenous exposure. Therefore, our study showed that hair is potentially a suitable indicator for the monitoring of internal exposure to HBCD and TBBPA in different populations.

Halogenated flame retardants in stranded sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) from the Mediterranean Sea

In recent years, decline of marine mammals' populations and increased frequency of strandings have arised the interest on the role that pollution may have in these events. The present work aimed at quantifying levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and dechloranes (DECs) in tissues of 3 adult females and one foetus of sperm whales stranded in the Southern Adriatic Sea coasts (Italy). Results proved the presence of different flame retardants (FRs) in tissues of sperm whales, including various polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) congeners (47, 99, 100, 154, entering the composition of PentaBDE mixture), hexabromocyclodecanes (HBCDs), Dec 602 and methoxylated polibrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs). In blubber, a target tissue for contaminant accumulation, ΣPBDEs reached values of 160, 158 and 183 ng/g lw, α-HBCD of 5.75 ng/g lw, Dec 602 of 1632 ng/g lw and MeO-BDEs of 563 ng/g lw. The availability of foetal tissues allowed evaluating the potential maternal transfer on many of these compounds, and to discuss the potential adverse effects on foetal health. To the best of our knowledge, obtained data are the first reporting placental transfer of FRs in sperm whales. PBDE levels detected in foetus suggested a potentially long-term exposure to BFRs, which could cause severe damages to the developing organism, likely at the cerebral, endocrine and immunologic levels. Dec 602, which was detected at the highest concentrations among all FRs considered, could potentially cause dysfunctional effects on the immune system of adult females.

Hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A in tree bark from different functional areas of Shanghai, China: levels and spatial distributions

The concentrations and spatial distributions of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were measured in tree bark from different functional areas of Shanghai. ΣHBCDD (sum of α-, β-, and γ-HBCDD) concentrations ranged from 1.2 × 10² to 6.6 × 10³ ng g^-1 lw (median 5.7 × 10² ng g^-1 lw) and TBBPA concentrations ranged from 48 to 7.2 × 10⁴ ng g^-1 lw (median 2.8 × 10² ng g^-1 lw). The concentrations of ΣHBCDD and TBBPA all followed the order of industrial areas > commercial areas > residential areas. The mean percentage of α-HBCDD in bark samples (44%) from Shanghai was higher than that in technical HBCDD products, but comparable with that in air. The concentrations of TBBPA and individual HBCDD diastereoisomers between industrial areas and commercial areas were correlated. Based on the concentrations of HBCDD in the bark, the corresponding atmospheric HBCDD concentrations were estimated. Compared with the published data for HBCDD in urban air, the estimated atmospheric HBCDD concentrations in Shanghai had a relatively high level, and more attention should be paid to the pollution status of HBCDD in Shanghai.

Human exposure to HBCD and TBBPA via indoor dust in Korea: Estimation of external exposure and body burden

Human exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) mainly occurs through diet and dust ingestion. In this study, the BFR concentrations in 124 vacuum dust samples of six categories of indoor environments (homes, offices, kindergartens, cars, schools, and public indoor environments) and 32 surface dust samples were investigated. The median ΣHBCD concentrations ranged from 106.30ngg^-1 in home dust to 496.13ngg^-1 in office dust. The TBBPA concentrations in indoor dust (from 78.87 to 463.81ngg^-1) were among the highest compared to other countries because of the high market demand for this flame retardant in Korea. The TBBPA concentrations in surface dust of living rooms were significantly higher (p<0.05) than sleeping rooms, due to the presence of more electrical equipment in living rooms. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of ΣHBCD and TBBPA (dust+diet) for toddlers were 6.18ngkg^-1bwd^-1 and 2.54ngkg^-1bwd^-1, respectively. In general, the ΣHBCD estimated body burden of Korean adults showed good agreement with the reported ΣHBCD median concentrations in their sera. Since the developmental health effect of exposure to HBCD was categorized as "high hazard" by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the estimated high body burden of ΣHBCD in Korean toddlers (7.91ngg^-1 lw) warns us of possible adverse effects on the development of essential systems in their bodies.

Effects of the amendment of biochars and carbon nanotubes on the bioavailability of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in soil to ecologically different species of earthworms

Biochar is a promising material used in soil amendment and carbon nanotubes may enter soil due to its increasing application. These carbonaceous materials may change the bioavailability of pollutants in soil. In this concern, 0.5% w/w multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and 3 corn-straw biochars acquired at different pyrolyzing temperatures were used in soil amendment and their influences on the bioavailability of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), a brominated flame retardant, to 2 ecologically different earthworm species were studied. The amendment of 4 carbonaceous materials all reduced the bioaccumulation of HBCDs in earthworms by 18.2%-67.3%, which varied depending on the type of carbonaceous materials and the pyrolyzing temperature of biochars. The reduction in HBCDs uptake by Eisenia fetida (an epigeic species) was greater than by Metaphire guillelmi (an anecic species). The 2 earthworm species both showed bioaccumulative selectivity on certain HBCD diastereoisomer and enantiomer in the amended soils, which was similar to that in the control soil. Moreover, Tenax-assisted HBCDs desorption test was carried out for the simulation of their bioavailability. The rapid desorption fraction (F_rap), total desorption (15 d), and 24 h desorption all correlated well with the uptake of HBCDs in the earthworms, suggesting that the 24 h-desorption, due to its easy availability, can be a good proxy to predict the bioavailability of HBCDs to earthworms in soil.