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Currently used organophosphate and brominated flame retardants in the environment of China and other developing countries (2000–2016)

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Abstract

This review summarizes the environmental occurrence of new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and organophosphate compounds (OPs) in the environment of developing countries since 2000. The ban on the production and use of commercial formulations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have paved the way for the high use of NBFRs and OPs in consumer products to fulfill the fire safety regulations. Recent studies have shown that the ever increasing production volumes and extensive use of these chemicals as additive FRs and plasticizers have resulted into their ubiquitous occurrence in all environmental compartments. Although presumed to be safe for use and the environment, recent studies on their occurrence and persistence in the environment have raised questions. Due to the lack of awareness, research interest, and availability of technical facilities, limited scientific data is available on the occurrence of these chemicals in developing countries. In this study, we collected reported data and provide an overview of environmental occurrence of NBFRs and OPs in abiotic and biotic matrices of different developing countries. Finally, research gaps were identified with recommendations for future research work and would be useful towards the environmental management of these toxic chemicals.

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Acknowledgments

Nadeem Ali acknowledges the Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, P.O Box: 80216, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Nadeem Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid & Iqbal Mohammad Ibrahim Ismail

  2. Department of Environment Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, Pakistan

    Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid

  3. Key Laboratory of Environmental Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, China

    Heqing Shen & Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah Eqani

  4. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Iqbal Mohammad Ibrahim Ismail

  5. Health and Environment Division, Department of Biosciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah Eqani

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  1. Nadeem Ali
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  2. Khurram Shahzad
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  3. Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid
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  5. Iqbal Mohammad Ibrahim Ismail
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  6. Syed Ali Musstjab Akber Shah Eqani
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Correspondence to Nadeem Ali.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Complied data on the occurrence of current used OPs and new BFRs from developing countries from the last 15 years and research gaps are identified

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Ali, N., Shahzad, K., Rashid, M.I. et al. Currently used organophosphate and brominated flame retardants in the environment of China and other developing countries (2000–2016). Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 18721–18741 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9336-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9336-3

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