Health effects of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs)

doi:10.1016/S0160-4120(03)00106-5

Environment International

Volume 29, Issue 6, September 2003, Pages 855-860

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-4120(03)00106-5 Get rights and content

Abstract

This article reviews the state of the science regarding the health effects of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs). While thousands of articles have been published on the health effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and related polychlorinated dibenzodioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), little is know about the brominated and mixed chloro/bromo homologs. Available literature suggests that brominated compounds have similar toxicity profiles to their chlorinated homologs. However, further research investigating health effects will only be useful if exposure scenarios truly exist. Current exposure data is extremely limited, posing a major data gap in assessing potential risk of these chemicals. The rapid increase in the use of brominated flame retardants has raised the level of environmental concern regarding PBDDs/PBDFs as it is likely that human, as well as wildlife, exposure to brominated dioxins and furans will increase with their use.

Section snippets

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Drs. Myra Karstadt and Barbara Abbott for their helpful comments. Research partially supported by NHEERL-DESE Cooperative Training in Environmental Sciences Research, EPA CT826513.

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Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Health effects of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs)

Abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgments

Environ. Int.

Environ. Int.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

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Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Sci.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicology

Fundam. Appl. Toxicol.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.

Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.