Full Breakdown
Persistent Flame Retardants: Europe’s Ongoing PBDE Contamination
8/27/2026, 7:53:02 PM
Core Findings of the Systematic Review
A comprehensive systematic review led by Prof. Khaled Abass of the University of Sharjah found that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) remain widely detectable across Europe. The chemicals were identified in air, water, sediments, soils, snow/firn and sludge, appearing in both heavily impacted industrial zones and remote alpine and Arctic locations.
Study Design and Scope
The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD420251207298). Researchers searched Ovid, Scopus and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published through November 2025, retrieving 181 studies that met inclusion criteria. These studies collectively covered samples from 25 European countries and examined multiple environmental matrices. Study quality and risk of bias were evaluated using the SURE checklist. The research team included collaborators from the University of Oulu (Finland), the Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic) and the University of Belgrade (Serbia).
Distribution Across Environmental Compartments
- Particle-rich matrices (river sediments, sewage sludge, wastewater-related systems) were dominated by the heavily brominated congener BDE-209.
- Air and soil samples showed higher frequencies of the lower-brominated congeners BDE-47 and BDE-99.
- Water generally exhibited lower and more transient concentrations, indicating that the chemical passes through rather than accumulates.
The authors note that sediments and sludge act as long-term reservoirs, gradually releasing PBDEs back into waterways, soils, waste-management systems and ultimately aquatic food webs. Indoor air and household dust were also highlighted as significant exposure routes, especially in environments dense with electronic devices.
Implications for Policy and Monitoring
Prof. He warns that Europe’s shift toward circular-economy models could unintentionally recycle legacy pollutants unless chemical safety is integrated into recycling streams. The review calls for harmonized, multi-matrix monitoring programs across European nations, stricter quality-control standards, and greater attention to BDE-209, its transformation products, and newer flame-retardant alternatives.
Verbatim Quote
“Europe is moving toward more ambitious circular-economy models, but circularity without chemical safety can unintentionally recirculate legacy pollutants,” — Prof. Khaled Abass, of the University of Sharjah led the study
Recommendations and Future Directions
The study recommends:
1. Coordinated, multi-compartment monitoring that includes air, water, sediments, sludge, soils and indoor environments.
2. Enhanced quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) in future research to improve comparability of results.
3. Focused surveillance of BDE-209 and its breakdown products, given their persistence in particle-rich media.
4. Assessment of indoor exposure pathways, with particular attention to homes, schools, offices and workplaces where people spend the majority of their time.
By linking legacy consumer products, recycled materials and waste streams to ongoing environmental contamination, the review underscores the need for regulatory frameworks that couple chemical safety with circular-economy initiatives.
