Brominated chemicals: UK dietary intakes

In order to allow an estimate of dietary intakes of brominated fire retardants and related compounds by UK consumers, 19 composite food group samples collected for the 2003 and 2004 Total Diet Studies (TDS) have been analysed for a range of brominated compounds. Based on the results, estimated dietary exposure to brominated compounds does not have implications for health.

This work was carried out following an increasing number of reports of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and other brominated compounds being found in fish and other foods.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), brominated dioxins and furans (collectively referred to simply as brominated dioxins) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were analysed in 19 composite samples of food groups collected during the 2003 Total Diet Survey. Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) were analysed in 2004 TDS samples.

PBDE 209 was the most abundant PBDE congener, followed by PBDE 47. These and PBDEs 49, 66, 99, 100, 153 and 183 were detected in most of the food groups. Other PBDEs, brominated dioxins, PBBs and HBCDs were detected less frequently. TBBP-A was not found above the limit of detection in any food group.

The estimated average adult dietary intakes from the whole diet in 2003 or 2004 were <5.9 nanograms/kilogram bodyweight/day for total PBDEs, <5.9 ng/kg bodyweight/day for total HBCDs, <1.6 ng/kg bodyweight/day for TBBP-A, and <0.4 picograms TEQ/kg bodyweight/day for brominated dioxins.

The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment concluded that the concentrations of PBDEs, HBCD and TBBP-A detected in this and the survey for brominated chemicals in farmed and wild fish and shellfish do not raise toxicological concerns.