2-Ethylhexyl tetrabromobenzoate and bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate flame retardants in the Great Lakes atmosphere

Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Jan 3;46(1):204-8. doi: 10.1021/es203251f. Epub 2011 Nov 30.

Abstract

Two relatively new flame retardants, 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), were identified and quantitated in gas and particle-phase air samples collected from six sites near the shores of the Great Lakes. TBB and TBPH were detected in more than half of the samples collected from 2008 to 2010. Urban areas, such as Chicago and Cleveland, showed the highest concentrations (0.36-290 pg/m(3)), while remote areas, such as Eagle Harbor and Sleeping Bear Dunes, exhibited the lowest levels (0.050-32 pg/m(3)). The atmospheric concentrations of TBB and TBPH increased rapidly and significantly over this time period, perhaps indicating that these compounds are replacing the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which have been removed or soon will be removed from the marketplace.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere / chemistry*
  • Bromobenzoates / analysis*
  • Bromobenzoates / chemistry
  • Environmental Monitoring*
  • Flame Retardants / analysis*
  • Great Lakes Region
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / analysis*
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / chemistry
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Phthalic Acids
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • 2-ethylhexyltetrabromobenzoate
  • Bromobenzoates
  • Flame Retardants
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Phthalic Acids
  • bis(2-ethylhexyl) 2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate