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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.

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]