Concentrations and isomer compositions of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were measured in six matrices in the Czech Republic (HBCD technical mixture; consumer products; indoor and outdoor air at industrial, urban and background locations; soils; and sediments) to provide insight into changes in concentrations and isomer profiles between environmental sources and environmental sinks. A distinct gradient of air concentrations was observed, from 1600 ng/m3 in the industrial area to < 10 pg/m3 in urban and background air. Isomer profiles also showed a distinct gradient in air, from 95% γ-HBCD in industrial air to 40% γ-HBCD in background air, suggesting the influence of differential atmospheric transport and phototransformation of γ- to α-HBCD. Concentrations and isomer compositions in consumer products were highly variable and indicated differences between products with intentional addition of HBCD as a flame retardant versus those with HBCD as an impurity, e.g., from recycled plastic. Understanding the isomer-specific environmental distributions and processes remains important for risk assessment and toxicology, considering the continued use of HBCD and the isomer-specific differences in uptake, metabolism, and toxicity, and further, demonstrates the utility of isomer profiles to better understand environmental processes of HBCDs.

• Keywords
• Atmospheric transport, Consumer products, Flame retardants, HBCD, Isomer profiles, Sources,
• MeSH
• Hydrocarbons, Brominated analysis   chemistry   MeSH
• Isomerism MeSH
• Environmental Pollutants analysis   chemistry   MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring methods   MeSH
• Soil chemistry   MeSH
• Flame Retardants analysis   MeSH
• Consumer Product Safety MeSH
• Air analysis   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Hydrocarbons, Brominated MeSH
• hexabromocyclododecane MeSH Browser
• Environmental Pollutants MeSH
• Soil MeSH
• Flame Retardants MeSH