chemical Class
Pentabrominated dioxin
Chemicals in the class:
Found in these people:
Cord Blood Sample 15, Cord Blood Sample 13
Found in these locations:
not found
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 the reproductive development, immune and hormone systems. They add to the total dioxin body burden, which are near levels where effects may be occurring in the general population (Birnbaum 2003; EPA 2000a; WHO 1998).
Pentabrominated dioxin
Pentabrominated dioxin has been found in 2 of the 23 people tested in EWG/Commonweal studies.
Top health concerns for Pentabrominated dioxin (References)
| health concern or target organ | weight of evidence |
| Immune system (including sensitization and allergies) | limited |
Toxicity Classifications (References)
| classification | governing entity/references |
| 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. |
