Brominated Flame Retardants

Description

Brominated flame retardants are one of the last classes of halogenated compounds that are still being produced worldwide and used in large quantities in many applications. They are used in plastics, textiles, electronic circuitry, and other materials to prevent fires. This volume covers the state-of-the-art of the analysis, fate and behaviour of brominated flame retardants. Experts in the field provide an overview of the compounds’ physico-chemical properties and uses, their occurrence in the environment and biota, advanced chemical analytical methods, degradation studies, toxicological effects and human exposure. This book is a valuable and comprehensive source of information for environmental scientists interested in brominated flame retardant issues, and for authorities and producers. Content: Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction to Brominated Flame Retardants: Commercially Products, Applications, and Physicochemical Properties....Pages 1-17 Human Health Effects of Brominated Flame Retardants....Pages 19-53 Sample Preparation and Chromatographic Methods Applied to Congener-Specific Analysis of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers....Pages 55-94 Recent Methodologies for Brominated Flame Retardant Determinations by Means of Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry....Pages 95-121 Current Levels and Trends of Brominated Flame Retardants in the Environment....Pages 123-140 Bioaccumulation of Brominated Flame Retardants....Pages 141-185 Degradation of Brominated Flame Retardants....Pages 187-202 Human Exposure to Brominated Flame Retardants....Pages 203-239 Emerging Brominated Flame Retardants in the Environment....Pages 241-286 Back Matter....Pages 287-290