Tetrabromobisphenol A

Definition of tetrabromobisphenol–A: Tetrabromobisphenol–A (TBBP-A) is a brominated organic compound. It's primary used as an intermediate in the production of flame retardants like PBDEs, but can also be used as a flame retardant itself. This is the common definition for tetrabromobisphenol–A, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

tetrabromobisphenol–A
Formula
C15H12Br4O2

Tetrabromobisphenol-A is produced in the USA, Israel and Japan but not in the EU. Current production is estimated between 120.000 and 150.000 ton each year, of which approximately 40.000 ton is each year exported to the European Union.

Tetrabromobisphenol-A is likely to reach the marine environment largely through industrial waste waters from land-based industrial activities. A small contribution may come from releases to the water from losses from products which contain the substance.

There is currently no information on levels of tetrabromobisphenol-A in marine waters, but there are measurements in estuarine sediments and in North Sea biota. Concentrations in the Scheldt estuary sediments range between 0,1 and 32 µg/kg wet weight. Concentrations in North Sea biota can reach up to 245 µg/kg wet weight in withing fillet.

Tetrabromobisphenol-A is considered to have a low tendency towards bioaccumulation.

It's is a very persistent substance. It's also very difficult to be biodegrade in aerobic conditions, while it's still rather unknown whether, it degrades in anaerobic conditions: it has been suggested that under anaerobic conditions TBBT-A may biodegrade to bisphenol-A.

TBBP-A is a toxic substance as concentrations above 0,0026 mg/l might already cause problems at chronic exposure for marine invertebrates. This concentration might already impair the shell growth of an oyster. Fresh water invertebrates and fish have a higher tolerance, concentrations of 0,12 and 0,16 mg/l respectively are necessary to cause effects.