Legacy and novel brominated flame-retardants in different fish types from inland freshwaters of South Africa: levels, distribution and implications for human health

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study report the presence of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel brominated flame-retardants (NBFRs) in muscle tissues of Labeo capensis (mudfish), Labeo umbratus (moggel), Cyprinus carpio (carp) and Clarias gariepinus (catfish) from Vaal River, South Africa. The concentrations (in ng g−1 wet weight (ww)) of these contaminants ranged from LOQ to 12.8 ng g−1 ww in catfish, with lowest concentrations found for mudfish ranging from <LOQ to 3.4 ng g−1 ww. This variation was attributed to species-specific ecological status such as feeding habit and trophic level with BDE209 and BB209 as a major congeners among PBDEs and PBBs, respectively, and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) as a major flame retardants among the NBFRs. The hazard quotients of these contaminants were very low indicating that these contaminants do not pose health risk to South Africans via fish consumption.