chemical Class

Brominated dioxins & furans

Chemicals in the class:

1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OBDD (octadioxin), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OBDF (octafuran), 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpBDF (heptafuran), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxBDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxBDF (hexafuran), 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxBDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxBDD (hexadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDD (pentadioxin), 1,2,3,7,8-PeBDF (pentafuran), 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF (pentafuran), 2,3,7,8-TBDD (tetradioxin), 2,3,7,8-TBDF (tetrafuran)

Summary

Brominated dioxins and furans are toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative and lipophilic ("fat-loving"). They build up in human tissues, are stored in fatty tissues and fluid, such as breast milk, and can be passed on to fetuses and infants during pregnancy and lactation. Brominated dioxins and furans are formed unintentionally, either from incineration of wastes that include consumer products infused with brominated flame retardants like PBDEs, or as trace contaminants in mixtures of bromine-containing chemicals.

Brominated dioxins and furans have dioxin-like activity, meaning that they cause birth defects in animals and otherwise disrupt reproductive development and the immune and hormone systems. They add to the total dioxin body burden of people, which are near levels where adverse health effects may be occurring in the general population (Birnbaum 2003; EPA 2000a; WHO 1998).

Brominated dioxins & furans

Along with dioxins, furans are pollutants produced during PVC plastic production, industrial bleaching, incineration. Furans cause cancer, and may harm the hormone system.

Top health concerns for Brominated dioxins & furans (References)

health concern or target organ	weight of evidence
Immune system (including sensitization and allergies)	limited

Other health concerns for Brominated dioxins & furans (References)

health concern or target organ	weight of evidence
Persistent, accumulates in wildlife and/or people	probable
Cancer	limited
Reproduction and fertility	known

Toxicity Classifications (References)

classification	governing entity/references
Cancer hazards: recognized	P65-MC
Limited evidence in humans - immune system toxicity	Birnbaum, L. S., D. F. Staskal, et al. (2003). Health effects of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) and dibenzofurans (PBDFs). Environ Int 29(6): 855-60.
Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - Great Lakes Binational Strategy, Tier 1 concern (highest), targeted for phase-out	Great Lakes BTS (Binational Toxics Strategy). 1997. Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes. Appendix I - Level 1 and Level 2 substances.
Persistent, bioaccumulative toxicant - targeted for emission reductions and process controls under international treaty (Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs Convention)	United Nations Environment Programme/POPs Treaty (2001)
Very persistent and bioaccumulative toxicant - targeted for waste reporting under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Toxics Release Inventory programs	EPA Toxic Release Inventory (1999)