ÉTERES DIFENÍLICOS POLIBROMADOS (PBDE) COMO CONTAMINANTES PERSISTENTES: OCORRÊNCIA, COMPORTAMENTO NO AMBIENTE E ESTRATÉGIAS ANALÍTICAS

Flame retardants are substances mixed with numerous materials to inhibit the combustion process, reducing risks and damages caused by fires. Among these substances, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used for decades due to their low cost and high efficiency. However, since they are mixed and not chemically bonded to the materials, PBDEs can be released over time being transported through numerous pathways until they reach soils and aquatic systems, where they can accumulate in sediments and biota. Due to their high chemical stability, an essential feature for flame retard...