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1: Science. 2005 Feb 11;307(5711):917-20.Click here to read Links
Erratum in:
Science. 2005 Jun 3;308(5727):1413.

Two abundant bioaccumulated halogenated compounds are natural products.

Teuten EL, Xu L, Reddy CM.

Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.

Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) have been found bioaccumulated in the tissues of a variety of aquatic animals and at concentrations comparable to those of anthropogenic halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The origin of the MeO-PBDEs has been uncertain; circumstantial evidence supports a natural and/or an industrial source. By analyzing the natural abundance radiocarbon content of two MeO-PBDEs isolated from a True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus), we show that these compounds were naturally produced.

PMID: 15705850 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]