Factors influencing risk assessments of brominated flame-retardants; evidence based on seafood from the North East Atlantic Ocean

Abstract

Brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are considered hazardous to human health. Due to their persistence, they are still present in the environment and in biota and seafood is major contributor of BFRs to human exposure. Here, we used data from >9700 samples of wild and farmed fish, fish feed and fish feed ingredients collected from the North Atlantic between 2006 and 2016 aiming to investigate factors influencing the risk assessments of BFRs. Due to most representative number of analyses, PBDEs were the main focus of investigation. Mean ∑PBDE in fillet samples ranged from below quantification in Atlantic cod fillet to 2.0 μg kg in Atlantic halibut. The main congener contributing to the ∑PBDE in all species was BDE 47. Factors affecting the level of BFR in seafood were multifaceted, and the levels were within species mainly determined by fish age, geographical origin and time of sampling. BDE 47, 99, 153 and HBCD were selected for margin of exposure (MOE) evaluation. When other sources of BFR than seafood were excluded, our risk assessment showed low risk at the current dietary intake of seafood. However, the dietary intake of BDE 99 may be of concern for toddlers when all sources are considered. The choice of fish species, dietary studies, choice of statistics, as well as exposure from other sources than seafood, were all factors that influenced the final MOE of BFRs. We propose the use of regression on order statistics as a tool for risk assessment, to illustrate means and spreads in large surveillance datasets to avoid the issue of measurements below the limit of quantification. A harmonized, updated evaluation of the risk associated with exposure to BFRs from diet, air and dust is warranted, where the fish species most commonly consumed also is taken into consideration.

Attuning to a changing ocean

“…Data support a trend of higher levels of contaminants in fish from southern areas in the seas neighboring the Nordic countries compared to areas north of the Arctic Circle, as exemplified by BFRs for Norwegian Spring Spawning herring, Atlantic halibut ( Hippoglossus hippoglossus ), Greenland halibut ( Reinhardtius hippoglossoides ), capelin ( Mallotus villosus ), European hake ( Merluccius merluccius ), and tusk ( Brosme brosme ) ( 75 ). Although these geographical trends seem to be stable over time, hot spots of high levels of contaminants have been worryingly detected in remote marine areas such as near Sklinnabanken in the Norwegian Sea (between 65°N and 66°N).…”

“…For example, food safety maximum limits of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins allowed in Atlantic cod by the European Union are currently exceeded for cod liver from the Baltic and North Sea ( 74 ). Significantly higher levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were also found in the liver of cod and saithe ( Pollachius virens ) caught in the North Sea and Skagerrak compared to fish caught in the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea ( 75 ), and there is general advice against eating cod liver from coastal populations in Norway. Furthermore, studies of biomarkers in natural populations of cod and haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ) indicate significant background pollution in the North Sea, potentially linked to decades of oil production and other anthropogenic sources ( 76 ).…”

Organochlorine pesticides, brominated flame retardants, synthetic musks and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in shrimps. An overview of occurrence and its implication on human exposure

“…Table S2 (supplementary data) summarizes published studies from 2004 to 2020 regarding shrimp contamination with BFRs [ 47 , 49 , 51 , 55 , 59 , 62 , 64 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 74 , 75 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 ]. As shown in Table S2, 30 different PBDEs were analysed.…”

Identification and evaluation of potentially mutagenic and carcinogenic food contaminants

“…Dr Rasinger is a nutritional toxicologist whose research at the IMR is focused on the development and implementation of molecular (′omics), biostatistical and bioinformatics tools for use in food and feed safety assessments (Rasinger et al., , ; Reffatto et al., ; Nøstbakken et al., accepted). During his placement at the BfR, Dr Rasinger was introduced to modern in silico methodologies for hazard assessment, namely QSAR and further developed his knowledge and experience in risk assessment.…”