1          Background

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) are among the most common brominated flame retardants (FRs). They are mainly used in plastics, resins and textiles, as in plastic casings of electric and electronic devices such as computers and TVs, in printed circuit boards, as well as in protective clothing, textile covers and curtains. Today mainly DecaBDE is used while past usages included Penta and Octa-BDE.

PBDEs are considered to be persistent and partly bioaccumulative. On numerous occasions PBDEs have been found in aqueous systems, aquatic animals and mother’s milk. PentaBDE is considered very poisonous to water organisms. OctaBDE is classified as a reproductive toxin (category 2). The use of DecaBDE is currently being re-evaluated as part of an EU risk assessment. Potential endocrine activity is attributed to PBDE degradation products. Another point of discussion is the possible formation of especially polybrominated dibenzofurans in case of a fire in materials made less flammable by the incorporation of PBDEs.

The restriction 2003/11/EG (Restriction on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations) by the European Parliament prescribes that the marketing of PentaBDE and OctaBDE is no longer allowed starting August 15th, 2004. As part of restriction 2002/95/EG (RoHS – Restriction of Hazardous Substances) the use of PBB and PBDE in new electrical and electronic devices is banned EU wide starting July 1^st, 2006. Currently there are discussions about exempting DecaBHD from the Directive.  Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are classified as priority pollutant according to the EU water framework guideline 2000/60/EC.

2          Analytes

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, totals and congeners

TriBDE	TetraBDE	PentaBDE	HexaBDE	HeptaBDE	OctaBDE	NonaBDE	DecaBDE
BDE-17	BDE-75	BDE-100	BDE-154	BDE-183	BDE-203	BDE-207	BDE-209
BDE-28	BDE-71	BDE-119	BDE-153	BDE-190