Publication Abstract

Analysis of Hexabromocyclododecane in Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

Analysis of Hexabromocyclododecane in Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

H. A. Leslie, P. E. G. Leonards, C. J. A. F. Kwadijk, A. W. Kruijt, S. H. Brandsma, J. de Boer, P. R. C. Bersuder and C. R. Allchin

An EU risk assessment under the Existing Substances Regulation (793/93/EEC) is currently in progress for the brominated flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). In support of this assessment and as a side-investigation of a larger project in which the occurrence of decabromodiphenylether (DBDE) was investigated in birds [de Boer et al. 2003], samples of eggs of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and muscle tissue of sparrowhawks (Accipiter nisus) were analysed for the three diastereomers of HBCD (a, b and g).

HBCD diastereomers could be detected in 12 of the 51 samples of F. peregrinus eggs (range: 71 to 1200 mg sum HBCD/kg lipid) and 9 of the 65 samples of A. nisus muscle tissue (range: 84 to 19,000 mg sum HBCD/kg lipid); in the rest of the samples, no HBCD could be detected. All three diastereomers were detected in both species, although the patterns of occurrence varied from sample to sample.

The detection of a, b and g-HBCD in F. peregrinus eggs and A. nisus muscle tissue collected in the UK indicates that at least some individuals of these species are exposed to HBCD sources and are unable to metabolise the residues faster than they are accumulated. All samples were collected between 1973 and 2002 in the UK, but no time trend could be observed in sum HBCD concentrations. Total HBCD concentrations measured in this study generally fell within the range of two other recent studies of HBCD in birds' eggs from northern Europe, with the exception of one outlier.

Reference:

H. A. Leslie, P. E. G. Leonards, C. J. A. F. Kwadijk, A. W. Kruijt, S. H. Brandsma, J. de Boer, P. R. C. Bersuder and C. R. Allchin. 2004. Analysis of Hexabromocyclododecane in Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). RIVO - Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research Report number CO21/04.

H. A. Leslie, P. E. G. Leonards, C. J. A. F. Kwadijk, A. W. Kruijt, S. H. Brandsma, J. de Boer, P. R. C. Bersuder* and C. R. Allchin*

RIVO - Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research Report number CO21/04