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IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook Fire RetardantPolybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) Hexabromobiphenyl (HxBB) Chemical Name: Hexabromobiphenyl (C12H4Br6). CAS Number: 59536-65-1 Properties: Solubility in water: 11 µg/L at 25°C; vapour pressure: mm Hg at 20°C; log KOW: 6.39. Discovery/Uses: The production of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) began in 1970. HxBB was used as a fire retardant mainly in thermoplastics for constructing business machine housing and industrial (e.g. motor housing)and electrical (e.g. radio and TV parts) products. Smaller amounts were used as a fire retardant in coating and lacquers and in polyurethane foam for auto upholstery. Persistence/Fate: HxBB is strongly adsorbed to soil and sediments and usually persist in the environment. HxBB resists both chemical and biological degradation. HxBB has been found in several sediment samples from the estuaries of large rivers and has been identified in edible fish. Toxicity: Few toxicity data are available from short-term tests on aquatic organisms. The LD50 values of commercial mixtures show a relatively low order of acute toxicity (LD50 range from > 1 to 21.5 g/kg body weight in laboratory rodents). Oral exposure of laboratory animals to PBBs produced body weight loss, skin disorders, and nervous system effects, and birth defects. Humans exposed through contaminated food developed skin disorders, such as acne and hair loss. PBBs exhibit endocrine disrupting activity and possible carcinogenicity to humans. Source: UNEP Chemicals, Regional Reports of the Regionally Based Assessment of Persistent Toxic Substances Program (2002) Available from: http://www.chem.unep.ch/pts UNEP Chemicals 11-13, chemin des Anemones CH-1219 Chatelaine, GE Switzerland. 
IPEN Body Burden Community Monitoring Handbook - 2003 |
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