Scientific Opinion on Emerging and Novel Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in Food

Abstract

EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on brominated flame retardants (BFRs) other than PBDEs, PBBs, HBCDDs, TBBPA and brominated phenols and their derivatives. The BFRs that are the subject of the current opinion, were classified in groups termed "emerging" and "novel" BFRs. Information on 17 emerging and 10 novel BFRs was collected. The information varied widely for these BFRs. There is a lack of experimental data on physico-chemical characteristics, stability/reactivity and current use and production volume of all the emerging and novel BFRs. Due to the very limited information on occurrence, exposure and toxicity, the CONTAM Panel could not perform a risk characterisation for any of the BFRs considered. Instead, an attempt was made to identify those BFRs that could be a potential health concern and should be considered first for future investigations. For this purpose the Panel first evaluated the available experimental data on occurrence in food, behaviour in the environment and toxicity. Secondly, a modelling exercise was performed focussing on the potential of the emerging and novel BFRs for persistence in the environment and for their possible bioaccumulation potential. There is convincing evidence that tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TDBPP) and dibromoneopentyl glycol (DBNPG) are genotoxic and carcinogenic, warranting further surveillance of their occurrence in the environment and in food. Based on the limited experimental data on environmental behaviour, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) and hexabromobenzene (HBB) were identified as compounds that could raise a concern for bioaccumulation. For the modelling exercise, the CONTAM Panel selected two environmental characteristics, overall persistence and potential for bioaccumulation, as being most relevant to provide insight into the possibility that emerging or novel BFRs The less well known and less studied BFRs, subject of the current opinion, were grouped into two classes, referred to herein as "emerging" and "novel" BFRs. Emerging BFRs are defined as chemicals which are applied as flame retardants and that have been identified in any environmental compartment, in wildlife, in food or in humans. It should be noted that the definition for the emerging BFRs, used in this opinion, does not imply that there is evidence for an increasing trend in the concentration of these BFRs in the environment, in food or in human samples. Novel BFRs are defined as chemicals applied as flame retardants, with confirmed presence in materials and/or goods in concentrations above 0.1 %, but not identified in environmental samples, wildlife, food or humans. In total, information on 27 BFRs, of which 17 were identified as "emerging" and 10 as "novel", was collected by the CONTAM Panel, and it was noted that the available information varied widely for the various individual BFRs.In general, there is a lack of experimental data on physico-chemical characteristics and stability/reactivity for all the emerging and novel BFRs. This sometimes hampered ...

Emerging Brominated Flame Retardants 2-Ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTBB) and Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP) in Chinese Food and Their Health Implications

“…UF4 is the coefficient for a lethal dose that caused 50% mortality in rats (LD 50 ) and was used instead of the NOAEL, which was 10. The NOAEL or LD 50 was obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chemistry Dashboard, EFSA, 7 and the Government of Canada. 27 Detailed information is listed in Table S3.…”

“…1 Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has called for monitoring data on 27 EBFRs in food beginning in 2013. 7 The concentrations of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) in Chinese food have been found to be equal to or greater than those of traditional BFRs. 8 A 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTBB) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP) mixture is an alternative to penta-BDE and has been used in polyurethane foam, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) plumbing, neoprene rubber, wire, and cable insulation.…”

Estimation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) percutaneous uptake in humans using the parallelogram method

“…Human exposure to TBBPA via food and dust is a real and persistent issue (28–32). Several studies have illustrated the importance of ingestion of indoor dust as a major pathway for human exposure to TBBPA and other flame retardants (4, 33).…”

Validation and Evaluation of Selected Organic Pollutants in Shrimp and Seawater Samples from the NW Portuguese Coast

“…The limited experimental data collected for BTBPE identified that this compound can accumulate in the body over time, due to the BAFs reported. These findings were included in a scientific opinion released by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) [55]. Regarding SMs, HHCB, ANTH and ketone were detected in shrimp samples > MDL.…”