Publication Abstract

Results of a comprehensive survey for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the River Tees UK

C.R. Allchin & J. De Boer

The use of the additive flame retardants polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s) for a wide range of domestic and commercial applications is well documented. In a previous study we highlighted the occurrence of high concentrations of PBDE’s in samples of sediments and biota from the Rivers Tees and Skerne, in the north east of England. This earlier pilot scale study reported PBDE’s on the basis of commercial formulations and a limited number of individual congeners (BDE47, 85 & 99) based on determination by gas chromatography with electron capture deteciton (GC-CED). We report here the results of a further, exstensive survey conducted on the River Tees for a total of 14 PBDEs determined using fully optimised and validated methodology utilising gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GC-MSD) and for BDE209, GC-ECD