Publication Abstract

Brominated diphenyl ethers in the blubber of twelve species of marine mammals stranded in the UK

R.J. Law, C.R. Allchin and L.K. Mead

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are a group of flame retardant compounds which have been widely used in recent years. Increasing evidence of their environmental persistence and potential for effects has led to the production and use of the most environmentally mobile polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) formulations being curtailed within the EU and to a call for them to be added to the list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed within the Stockholm Convention which came into force during 2004 (Tanabe, 2004).

This paper reports on marine mammal blubber samples collected within the UK Marine Mammal Strandings Programme and derived from 34 animals stranded between 1992 and 2002.

Reference:

R.J. Law, C.R. Allchin and L.K. Mead (2005). Brominated diphenyl ethers in the blubber of twelve species of marine mammals stranded in the UK. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 50: 356-359.