Tetra-, Penta-, Hexa-, and Heptabromodiphenyl Ethers

This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the environmental and health implications of a special group of chemicals classified as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), focusing mainly on tetra-, penta-, hexa-, and heptabromodiphenyl ethers. It explores the historical production and stockpiles of these compounds, highlighting their significant persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and involvement in food web biomagnification. Special attention is given to the Indian context, where data on production, stockpiles along with toxicological data remain scarce. This chapter further delves into the regulatory landscape, emphasizing national status on hexabromodiphenyl and heptabromodiphenyl ether along with the scope and exemptions to use these chemicals for scientific purposes. Human exposure pathways are thoroughly examined, taking weight of evidence-based data of different routes of exposure via food, product use, indoor air, and dust. The work also discusses transfer potentials of these compounds from mothers to infants potentially affecting early development.