Robert J. Letcher on the Concerns of Flame Retardant Additives in Wildlife & Their Ecosystems
Fast Moving Front Commentary, September 2010
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Article: Dramatic changes in the temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in herring gull eggs from the Laurentian Great Lakes: 1982-2006 Authors: Gauthier, LT;Hebert, CE;Weseloh, DVC;Letcher, RJ Journal: ENVIRON SCI TECHNOL, 42 (5): 1524-1530 MAR 1 2008 Addresses: Carleton Univ, Sci & Technol Branch, Natl Wildlife Res Ctr, Environm Canada, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada. Carleton Univ, Sci & Technol Branch, Natl Wildlife Res Ctr, Environm Canada, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada. Carleton Univ, Dept Chem, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada. Environm Canada, Canadian Wildlife Serv, Toronto, ON M3H 5T4, Canada. (Addresses have been truncated) |
Robert J. Letcher talks with ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions about this month's Fast Moving Fronts paper in the field of Environment/Ecology.
Why do you think your paper is highly
cited?
At the time of the publication of our paper, virtually all published reports of temporal trends of congener-specific PBDE flame retardants in biota were showing continued increases in the concentrations of congeners contained mainly in PentaBDE technical formulations. Our study on Great Lakes herring gulls was among the first to show, for wildlife, apparent decreases in concentrations of these congeners beginning in the 2000s.
Also, our studying was among the first to report on the bioaccumulation of BDE-209 in a wildlife species, and in particular a top predator in an aquatic food web. Also, that BDE-209 concentrations were increasing, and that several lower brominated congeners were derived from the biotic breakdown of BDE-209, either in the gull and/or in its food web.
Does it describe a new discovery, methodology, or
synthesis of knowledge?
As described above, our study provided a new discovery and synthesis of knowledge with respect to the temporal trends of congeners in a wildlife species, and with respect to new and older PBDE technical formations.
Would you summarize the significance of your paper
in layman’s terms?
"...the future in my research will be for the study of the analytical and environmental chemistry and effects of replacement FRs in wildlife and their ecosystems."
Published reports of temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) flame retardants in the bodies of animals and other living organisms have generally shown continued concentration increases since the early 1990s. Our study on Great Lakes herring gulls was among the first to show, for wildlife, apparent concentration decreases in lower brominated PBDEs and beginning in the 2000s.
Also, our study was among the first to report on the bioaccumulation of a currently used PBDE known as DecaBDE (BDE-209) in a wildlife species, to show that BDE-209 levels were increasing, and that several lower brominated PBDEs were derived from the breakdown of BDE-209.
How did you become involved in this research, and
how would you describe the particular challenges, setbacks, and
successes that you've encountered along the way?
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are a large and growing class of man-made substances that are capable of persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment. All PBDE commercial formulations have now been regulated, are soon to be regulated and/or phased out of production, or are under increased scrutiny as contaminants of environmental concern in countries across the globe.
As a consequence, there are a growing number of replacement, non-PBDE BFRs and other classes of flame retardants that are potential issues with respect to environmental contamination. This is the basic rationale as to how I became involved in this are of research. A major challenge in the study of PBDEs has been the analysis of BDE-209, which can be difficult to detect and quantify.
Where do you see your research leading in the
future?
As long as fire retardancy in products is required, there will be a need for chemical additives to be added to commercial products to minimize the human risk from fire. As a consequence, flame retardant (FR) additives will continue to be chemicals of concern to the environment. Thus, the future in my research will be for the study of the analytical and environmental chemistry and effects of replacement FRs in wildlife and their ecosystems.
Do you foresee any social or political
implications for your research?
As I said, the social and political implications for my research revolve
around the central issue of fire prevention and the safety of people and
property. Flame retarding substances are a basic fact of modern society.
That is, whether it's your home, your car, etc. there is an issue of fire
prevention with respect to the man-made, synthetic materials they are made
of.
Robert J. Letcher, Ph.D.
Research Scientist | Chercheur scientifique
Wildlife Toxicology Research | Recherche en toxicologie de la faune
Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division | Division de
l'écotoxicologie et de la santé de la faune
Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate | Sciences de la faune et du
paysage
Science and Technology Branch | Sciences et la technologie
Environment Canada | Environnement Canada
National Wildlife Research Centre | Centre national de la recherche
faunique
Carleton University | Université Carleton
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemistry, Carleton
University
Associate Coordinator, Ottawa-Carleton Collaborative Program in
Chemical and Environmental Toxicology
KEYWORDS: BROMINATED FLAME RETARDANTS; DECABROMODIPHENYL ETHER; DIETARY EXPOSURE; RAINBOW-TROUT; SEDIMENTS; DEBROMINATION; ACCUMULATION; BDE-209; HEXABROMOCYCLODODECANE; BIPHENYLS.