PBDE flame retardants continue to contaminate European environments

A systematic review published in the journal ‘Environmental Research’ reveals that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), toxic flame-retardant chemicals banned in much of the world in the early 2000s, continue to contaminate soil and sediment across Europe. Scientists expressed particular concern regarding the persistence of these compounds in food chains and indoor environments, where human exposure risks are highest.

PBDEs were historically used in a wide range of products, including building materials, electronics, vehicles, aircraft, and furniture textiles. While effective at slowing fire spread, evidence emerged in the 1990s that these substances accumulate in nature and human bodies. Previous studies have linked PBDE exposure to potential risks involving liver, thyroid, and breast cancer, as well as reproductive health.

The review of 181 peer-reviewed studies indicates that despite bans implemented by the European Union and the United States, PBDEs remain widespread, appearing in locations ranging from offices in Spain to remote alpine snow in Slovakia.