Another Dangerous Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP)

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), a brominated flame retardant commonly used in building materials, textiles, and electronics, has significantly improved fire safety. However, recent studies have sounded the alarm about its environmental persistence and, more importantly, its potential health risks, making it a matter of grave concern.

HBCD has a cyclic structure with bromines covalently bonded to the carbon ring. It has a molar mass of 641.7 g/mol and a melting point of 186°C. It is very hydrophobic, with a water solubility of 3.4 µg/L, making it fat-soluble in animal life. HBCD is a mixture of 16 different stereoisomers, which can have varying biological activities and toxicities.

HBCD is known for its persistence in the environment. It doesn’t break down easily, leading to long-term environmental presence. This characteristic also means it can bioaccumulate in living organisms, posing risks to wildlife and humans. HBCD is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. It has been detected in various marine and freshwater environments, where it can disrupt the reproduction and development of aquatic species and ecosystems.

Animal studies have shown that HBCD can interfere with reproductive systems, causing reduced fertility and developmental issues. It is an endocrine disruptor, affecting hormone balance and leading to adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects. Exposure to HBCD has been linked to behavioral changes and cognitive deficits, particularly in developing organisms.

HBCD, highly persistent and capable of traveling long distances through air and water, has been detected in various environmental settings, including soil, water bodies, wildlife, and biological samples, including fish, birds, and even human tissues such as blood and adipose tissue. This widespread detection underscores the pervasiveness of the issue, making it a matter of immediate concern.

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is easily extracted using US EPA Method 527 and UCT products ECUNIDVB (Universal Cartridge), ECDVB156P (500 mg, 6 mL PP cartridge) or ECDVB156G (Glass cartridge).

Image Credit:

Hexabromocyclododecane. (2024, October 22). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexabromocyclododecane

By Leyo – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1855272