AUTHOR=Zhao Siyan , Rogers Matthew J. , Ding Chang , He Jianzhong TITLE=Reductive Debromination of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers - Microbes, Processes and Dehalogenases JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology VOLUME=9 YEAR=2018 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01292 DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2018.01292 ISSN=1664-302X ABSTRACT=
Extensive utilization of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame retardants since the 1960s in a variety of commercial products has resulted in ubiquitous environmental distribution of commercial PBDE mixtures. Dangers posed to biological populations became apparent after the discovery of elevated levels of PBDEs in biota, most notably in human breast milk and tissues. Environmental persistence of PBDEs results in significant transboundary displacement, threatening fragile ecosystems globally. Despite efforts to curtail usage of PBDEs, public concern remains about the effects of legacy PBDEs contamination and continued discharge of PBDEs in regions lacking restrictions on usage and manufacture. Among available technologies for remediation of PBDEs such as