Katrin Vorkamp, Aarhus University, summarised findings on environmental and human exposure to brominated flame retardants. Some PBB, PBDE and HBCD brominated flame retardants are now banned as POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) under the Stockholm Convention.
Deca-BDE is under consideration under this Convention, and is restricted in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the EU and is no longer produced in the USA. Dr. Vorkamp stated that, due to their persistence, these compounds are still found in the environment and in human blood and tissue. She indicated that further research and information is needed about newer brominated flame retardants now being used.
“Novel brominated flame retardants and dechlorane plus in Greenland air and biota”, Vorkamp et al., Environmental Pollution 196, 284-291, 2015 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.10.007