Levels and distribution of brominated flame retardants in the soil of Harbin in China

This study reports the presence of brominated flame retardants in the topsoil in and around Harbin, a city in northeastern China. Samples of soil were collected from 17 locations in 2006, and the levels of 9 polybrominated diphenylethers （PBDEs 17, 28, 47, 66, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183） ranged from 2.45 to 55.9 pg/g dry weight （dw） with a mean of 26.3 pg/g dw. These levels are very low comparing with those for some cities in Europe and USA. BDE 209 and hexabromocyclododecane were the two dominant congeners, with mean concentrations of 520 pg/g dw and 1750 pg/g dw, respectively. The concentrations of the total nine PBDE congeners clearly decreased from urban areas to background, but the compositions of individual congeners differed. Proportions of heavier congeners decreased while those of lighter congeners increased, along urban-rural-background transect, providing evidence for an urban fractionation effect. Correlation analysis indicated similar sources for PBDEs, hexabromocyclododecane, and 1,2-bis（2,4,6-tribromophenoxy）-ethane from urban areas but pentabromoethylbenzene was probably present due to long-range atmospheric transport. Principal component analysis was used to determine the characteristics of the relationships among these brominated flame retardants in the field.

Cottonseed yield and its quality as affected by mineral fertilizers and plant growth retardants

The increase in the population in Egypt makes it imperative to explore promising approaches to increase food supply, including protein and oil, to meet the needs of the Egyptian people. Cotton is the principal crop of Egyptian agriculture, it is grown mainly for its fiber, but cottonseed products are also of economic importance. Cottonseed is presently the main source of edible oil and meal for livestock in Egypt. Economic conditions in modern agriculture demand high crop yields in order to be profitable and consequently meet the high demand for food that comes with population growth. Oil crop production can be improved by development of new high yielding varieties, and the application of appropriate agronomic practices. There is limited information about the most suitable management practice for application of N, P, K, Zn, Ca and PGRs in order to optimize the quantity and quality of oil and protein of cottonseed. In maximizing the quantity and quality of a crop’s nutritional value in terms of fatty acids and protein, field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, foliar application of zinc and calcium, the use of plant growth retardants (Pix, Cycocel or Alar), on cottonseed, protein, oil yields, and oil properties of Egyptian cotton. From the findings of this study, it seems rational to recommend that application of N, P, K, foliar application of Zn and Ca, the use of PGRs (Pix, Cycocel or Alar), could bring about better impact on cottonseed yield, seed protein content, oil and protein yields, oil refractive index, unsaponifiable matter, and unsaturated fatty acids in comparison with the ordinary cultural practices adopted by Egyptian cotton producers.

Direct and residual effects of plant nutrition’s and plant growth retardants, on cottonseed

Seed quality is one of the most important factors for stand establishment in cotton (Gossypium Sp.), and the use of good-quality seeds is therefore essential to obtain an optimum plant population. Conditions prevailing during seed formation can affect the quality of seed produced, and hence crop establishment in the next growing season. These conditions can affect the germination of the seeds and the ability of the seedlings to emerge from soil. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), foliar application of zinc (Zn) and calcium (Ca), and the use of plant growth retardants (PGR) [e.g., 1, 1-dimethyl piperidinium chloride (MC);2-chloroethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CC);or succinic acid 2, 2-dimethyl hydrazide (SADH)], during square initiation and boll setting stage, on growth, seed yield, seed viability, and seedling vigor of Egyptian cotton (G. barbadense). Dry matter yield, total chlorophyll concentration, K, Zn and P-uptake plant-1, were increased with the addition of K, foliar application of Zn, and different concentrations of P (576-1728 g·ha-1 of P). Seed yield plant-1 and plot-1, seed weight, seed viability, seedling vigor, and cool germination test performance increased as a result of the addition of the high N-rate (142.8 kg·ha-1 N), the high P-rate (74 kg·ha-1 P2O5), K (47 kg·ha-1 K), and from application of Zn, and Ca and the PGR. From the findings of the present study, band application of such treatments showed improved cotton-seed yield and affected the quality of seed produced, and hence crop establishment in the next growing season.

The Effects for Delaying Banana Seedling Growth through Spraying Growing Retardants on Stem Apex

Replanting is always required for banana farmers. Selecting growth retardants is important for banana seedling companies. Stem apex contained many gibberellins. Seven treatments were performed onto stem apex of banana seedlings in this research. Results showed that heights of seedlings sprayed with paclobutrazol (200 mg/L), dniconazole (200 mg/L), and dniconazole + brassins (200 mg/L + 0.1 mg/L) were significantly lower than those of seedlings sprayed with water. Paclobutrazol was the ideal retardant for delaying the growth of leaf if stem apex was selected as a treated candidate. Fresh weights of seedlings of all seven treatments were significantly less than that of control. For delaying the growth of fresh weight of banana seedlings, chlormequat chloride (200 mg/L) was the best choice. Reducing power of roots of seedlings treated with 100 ml of paclobutrazol (200 mg/L) was significantly higher than that of seedling treated with water. Chlorophyll contents of seedlings treated with growth retardants were significantly higher than that of seedlings treated with water.

Flame Retardants Nanocomposites-Synergistic Effect of Combination Conventional Retardants with Nanofillers of the Flammability of Thermoset Resins

The consumption ofthermoset resins as building polymers is approximately over one million tone word wide. The thermoset resins are proven construction materials for the technical and highly demanding applications of the transportation, electrical and building part industry. Heat stability, high thermal, low shrinkage, excellent mechanical properties are typical for their type of polymers. Above applications in addition to the mechanical properties also require good flame retardants of the materials. Undertaken activities refer to official draft, laws and legal recommendations in UE states. This paper presents positive effect of reduced flammability of thermoset resins （unsaturated polyester and epoxy resins） thanks to the use of nanocomposites containing multi-ingredient halogen-flee flame retardants which combine conventional phosphorus/nitrogen modifiers interacting with nanofillers （oMMT （organomodified montmorillonite）, EG （expandable graphite）, graphene, GO （graphene oxide）, nSi （nanosilica））.

A Simplified Analytical Procedure for Simultaneous Determination of Alkylphenol Ethoxylates and Brominated Flame Retardants in Fish Tissue Samples from Vaal River,South Africa

In this study, the concentration of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were determined in fish samples, Labeo umbratus and Carp, collected from the Vaal River in South Africa. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction technique was used to extract the organic contaminants from fish samples, and the resulting extract was purified by sulphuric acid lipid removal followed by Strata X-cartridge SPE clean-up. The APEs and BFRs were derivatized using heptafluorobutyric anhydride before analysis with GC-MS. In both types of fish samples, lower oligomers of APEs were more abundant than the higher oligomers, while HBCD, BDE99 and PBB101 were the dominant BFRs. The concentrations of these pollutants ranged from 1.061 ng/g lipids (t-BP) in Labeo umbratus to 11.860 ng/g lipids (HBCD) in Carp.

Recent Progress on Metal–Organic Framework and Its Derivatives as Novel Fire Retardants to Polymeric Materials

High flammability of polymers has become a major issue which has restricted its applications.Recently,highly crystalline materials and metal–organic frameworks(MOFs),which consisted of metal ions and organic linkers,have been intensively employed as novel fire retardants(FRs)for a variety of polymers(MOF/polymer).The MOFs possessed abundant transition metal species,fire-retardant elements and potential carbon source accompanied with the facile tuning of the structure and property,making MOF,its derivatives and MOF hybrids promising for fire retardancy research.The recent progress and strategies to prepare MOF-based FRs are emphasized and summarized.The fire retardancy mechanisms of MOF/polymer composites are explained,which may guide the future design for efficient MOF-based FRs.Finally,the challenges and prospects related to different MOFbased FRs are also discussed and aim to provide a fast and holistic overview,which is beneficial for researchers to quickly get up to speed with the latest development in this field.

Exposure Level, Toxicity Effects and Health Risk Assessment of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants in Water Environment

Organophosphorus flame retardants(OPFRs) are gradually replacing brominated flame retardants(BFRs), which are widely used in the world. The increasing output of OPFRs and the increasing detection of OPFRs in environmental media have attracted wide attention of scholars at home and abroad. OPFRs are generally semi-volatile, easy to enter the environment and accumulate in organisms,causing potential hazards to the environment and human health. In this paper, the pollution status and toxic effects of OPFRs in aquatic environment were introduced,and the research progress of human health risk caused by them was summarized.The existing problems were pointed out, and the future research was prospected. In the future, the analytical methods of various environmental and biological media should be improved, and comprehensive and in-depth environmental investigation and ecological and health risk assessment should be carried out. Attention should be paid to the effects of combined pollution on organisms and the study of biological acceptability.

Flame Retardancy Enhancement of Hybrid Composite Material by Using Inorganic Retardants

This study aims to investigate the possibility of improving the flame Retardancy for the hybrid composite material consisting araldite resin (CY223). The hybrid composite was reinforced by hybrid fibers from carbon and Kevlar fibers on woven roving form (45o -0o), by using a surface layer of 4mm thick of Zinc Borate flame retardant. Afterward, the structure was exposed directly to gas flame of 2000oC due to 10 mm and 20mm exposure interval. The retardant layer thermal resistance and protection capability were determined. The study was continued to improve the performance of Zinc Borate layer mixed by 10%, 20% and 30% of Antimony Trioxide. To determine the heat transfer of the composite material the opposite surface temperature method was used. Zinc Borate with (30%) Antimony Trioxide gives the optimized result of the experiment.

Novel biomonitoring method for determining five classes of legacy and alternative flame retardants in human serum samples

Flame retardants(FRs)are ubiquitous in environment and biota and may pose harm to human health.In recent years,concern regarding legacy and alternative FRs has been intensified due to their widespread production and increasing contamination in environmental and human matrices.In this study,we developed and validated a novel analytical method for simultaneous determination of legacy and alternative FRs,including polychlorinated naphthalenes(PCNs),short-and middle-chain chlorinated paraffins(SCCPs and MCCPs),novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs),and organophosphate esters(OPEs)in human serum.Serum samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction using ethyl acetate,and purified with Oasis®HLB cartridge and Florisil–silica gel columns.Instrumental analyses were carried out using gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry,highresolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry,and gas chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry,respectively.The proposed method was validated for linearity,sensitivity,precision,accuracy,and matrix effects.Method detection limits for NBFRs,OPEs,PCNs,SCCPs,and MCCPs were 4.6×10^(–4)–8.6×10^(–2),4.3×10^(–3)–1.3,1.1×10^(–5)–1.0×10^(–4),1.5,and 9.0×10–1 ng/mL,respectively.Matrix spike recoveries ranged from 73%–122%,71%–124%,75%–129%,92%–126%,and 94%–126%for NBFRs,OPEs,PCNs,SCCPs,and MCCPs,respectively.The analytical method was applied for detection of real human serum.CPs were the dominant FRs in serum,indicating CPs were widely presented in human serum and should be pay more attention for their health risk.

Comparisons of indoor active and passive air sampling methods for emerging and legacy halogenated flame retardants in Beijing, China offices

One active and two passive air sampling configurations were deployed simultaneously in three offices in Beijing,China to test their comparability for sampling emerging and legacy halogenated flame retardants spanning a large range of octanoleair partition coefficients(KOA).Sampling in each office was carried out for three consecutive 28-day periods in the spring-summer of 2013.The active sampler was run for 2.5 h at different times every day for 28 days to parallel the passive samplers and sample a total volume comparable to that sampled by the passive samplers(~20 m^3).At the end of each 28-day sampling period,a separate active air sample was taken by running the sampler pump continuously for about 2.5 days.The comparability of measured concentrations varied between the air sampling configurations and for different compounds.The predominant compound measured in nearly all samples was BDE-209,a compound known to have heavy use in China.Several emerging flame retardants were also detected including DBE-DBCH,PBT,HBB,DDC-CO,and DBDPE.Very little of the tetra-hexabrominated BDEs associated with the technical PentaBDE product was observed.

A review of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and alternative brominated flame retardants in wildlife from China:Levels,trends,and bioaccumulation characteristics

Accelerated industrialization and urbanization,and unregulated disposal of waste of electric and electronic equipment（e-waste） in China have caused environmental pollution of brominated flame retardants（BFRs）.This review summarized the levels,trends,and bioaccumulation characteristics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers（PBDEs） and other potential alternative BFRs including hexabromocyclododecanes（HBCDs）,1,2-bis（2,4,6-dibromophenoxy） ethane（BTBPE） and decabromodiphenylethane（DBDPE） in wildlife from China.PBDE levels in wildlife from China were generally higher than those from other parts in Asia,and were comparable to those from Europe but were lower than those from North America.However,wildlife from the e-waste recycling sites in South China and East China contained much higher PBDEs compared to other reports around the world,suggesting the heavy contamination of PBDEs in these regions.The alternative BFRs were also detected in wildlife,revealing that the animals are exposed to these chemicals,in addition to PBDEs.Temporal trends indicated by levels in marine mammals from South China suggested that PBDE levels increased from the beginning of 1990s to 2000s,but decreased from the middle of 2000s,followed by relatively steady levels.In contrast,HBCDs were found to be continuously increasing from 1997 to 2007,indicating the increasing usage of HBCDs in China in recent years.Compared to PBDE profiles found in other parts,aquatic species and birds from China contained relatively higher contributions of BDE28 and 209,respectively,suggesting the possible different usage pattern of PBDEs.Future works including keeping monitoring at a reasonable scale and frequency to make sure levels near urban centers indicative of population do not increase are needed.Additionally,focus effort on e-waste recycling regions to look for impacts and to determine if regulation/controls are resulting in lower environmental contamination,and incorporation of sentinel species in monitoring efforts are recommended.

The leaching of additive-derived flame retardants(FRs) from plastics in avian digestive fluids:The significant risk of highly lipophilic FRs

The exposure to plastic debris and associated pollutants for wildlife is of urgent concern,but little attention has been paid on the transfer of plastic additives from plastic debris to organisms.In the present study,the leaching of incorporated flame retardants (FRs),including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs),alternative brominated FRs (AFRs),and phosphate flame retardants (PFRs),from different sizes of recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymer were investigated in avian digestive fluids.The impact of co-ingested sediment on the leaching of additive-derived FRs in digestive fluids was also explored.In the recycled ABS,BDE 209 (715 μg/g) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE,1766 μg/g) had the highest concentrations among all target FRs.The leaching proportions of FRs were higher in finer sizes of ABS.The leaching proportions of FRs from recycled ABS increased with elevated logKow of FRs.In the tests with coexisted ABS and sediment,hexato deca-BDEs,BTBPE,and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) migrated from ABS to sediment,which resulted in the less bioaccessible fractions of these FRs in gut fluids.More lipophilic chemicals tended to be adsorbed by sediment from ABS.The results suggest the migration of additive-derived FRs from plastics to other indigestible materials in digestive fluids.The findings in this study provide insights into the transfer of additive-derived FRs from plastics to birds,and indicate the significant contribution of FR-incorporated plastics to bioaccumulation of highly lipophilic FRs.

Sorption of aromatic organophosphate flame thermally and hydrothermally produced retardants on biochars

Aromatic organophosphate flame retardant(OPFR)pollutants and biochars are commonly present and continually released into soils due to their increasingly wide applications.In this study,for the first time,the sorption of OPFRs on biochars was investigated.Although triphenyl phosphate(TPhP)and triphenylphosphine oxide(TPPO)have similar molecular structures and sizes,TPhP exhibited much faster and higher sorption than TPPO due to its stronger hydrophobicity,suggesting the dominant role of hydrophobic interactions in TPhP sorption.Theπ-πelectron donor-acceptor(EDA)interactions also contributed to the sorption process,as suggested by the negative correlation between the sorption capacity of the aromatic OPFRs and the aromatic index(H/C atomic ratios)of biochar.Density functional theory calculations further showed that one benzene ring of aromatic OPFRs has no electrons,which may interact with biochar viaπ-πEDA interactions.The electrostatic attraction between the protonated P=O in OPFRs and the negatively charged biochar was found to occur at pH below 7.This work provides insights into the sorption behaviors and mechanisms of aromatic OPFRs by biochars.

Concentrations and distribution of novel brominated flame retardants in the atmosphere and soil of Ny-Alesund and London Island,Svalbard,Arctic

Novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)were investigated in Arctic air and soil samples collected from Ny-?lesund and London Island,Svalbard,during Chinese scientific research expeditions to the Arctic during 2014–2015.The concentrations of 9 NBFRs in the Arctic air and soil were 4.9–8.7 pg/m3(average 6.8 pg/m3)and 101–201 pg/g dw(average 150 pg/g dw),respectively.The atmospheric concentration of hexabromobenzene(HBB)was significantly correlated with that of pentabromotoluene(PBT)and pentabromobenzene(PBBz),suggesting similar source and environmental fate in the Arctic air.No significant spatial difference was observed among the different sampling sites,both for air and soil samples,indicating that the effects of the scientific research stations on the occurrence of NBFRs in the Arctic were minor.The fugacities from soil to air of pentabromoethylbenzene(PBEB),2,3-dibromopropyl 2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether(DPTE),and decabromodiphenylethane 1,2-bis(pentabromophenyl)ethane(DBDPE)were lower than the equilibrium value,indicating a nonequilibrium state of these compounds between air and soil,the dominant impact of deposition and the net transport from air to soil.The correlation analysis between the measured and predicted soil-atmosphere coefficients based on the absorption model showed that the impact of the soil organic matter on the distribution of NBFRs in the Arctic region was minor.To the best of our knowledge,this work is one of the limited reports on atmospheric NBFRs in the Arctic and the first study to investigate the occurrence and fate of NBFRs in the Arctic soil.

Presence of organophosphate flame retardants(OPEs)in different functional areas in residential homes in Beijing,China

The production and application of organophosphate esters(OPEs)have dramatically increased in recent years due to their use as a replacement for brominated flame retardants.In this study,13 OPEs(∑_(13)OPEs)were analyzed in indoor air samples from kitchens and living rooms in 14 residential homes in Beijing,China.The concentrations of ∑_(13)OPEs in kitchen air samples(mean:13 ng/m^(3))were significantly(p<0.05)higher than in living room air samples(5.0 ng/m^(3)).In addition,paired window surface organic film samples were collected and analyzed to investigate film-air partitioning,exhibiting a mean concentration of ∑_(13)OPEs of 4100 ng/m^(2).The congener profiles showed that tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCPP)was the predominant compound in both window film samples(48%)and the corresponding indoor air sample(56%).The estimated daily intakes(EDI)of OPEs via indoor air inhalation were 2.8 and 1.4 ng/kg/day for infants and adults,respectively,both of which are below the reference dose values(RfDs).Overall,these findings indicate that OPEs in the indoor air environment of residential homes in Beijing are not likely to pose a health risk to the general population.

The presence and partitioning behavior of flame retardants in waste,leachate,and air particles from Norwegian waste-handling facilities

Flame retardants in commercial products eventually make their way into the waste stream.Herein the presence of flame retardants in Norwegian landfills, incineration facilities and recycling sorting/defragmenting facilities is investigated. These facilities handled waste electrical and electronic equipment（WEEE）, vehicles, digestate, glass, combustibles, bottom ash and fly ash. The flame retardants considered included polybrominated diphenyl ethers（∑BDE-10） as well as dechlorane plus, polybrominated biphenyls, hexabromobenzene,pentabromotoluene and pentabromoethylbenzene（collectively referred to as ∑FR-7）. Plastic,WEEE and vehicles contained the largest amount of flame retardants（∑BDE-10： 45,000–210,000 μg/kg; ∑FR-7： 300–13,000 μg/kg）. It was hypothesized leachate and air concentrations from facilities that sort/defragment WEEE and vehicles would be the highest. This was supported for total air phase concentrations（∑BDE-10： 9000–195,000 pg/m^3 WEEE/vehicle facilities, 80–900 pg/m^3 in incineration/sorting and landfill sites）, but not for water leachate concentrations（e.g., ∑BDE-10： 15–3500 ng/L in WEEE/Vehicle facilities and 1–250 ng/L in landfill sites）. Landfill leachate exhibited similar concentrations as WEEE/vehicle sorting and defragmenting facility leachate. To better account for concentrations in leachates at the different facilities, waste-water partitioning coefficients, Kwastewere measured（for the first time to our knowledge for flame retardants）. WEEE and plastic waste had elevated Kwastecompared to other wastes, likely because flame retardants are directly added to these materials. The results of this study have implications for the development of strategies to reduce exposure and environmental emissions of flame retardants in waste and recycled products through improved waste management practices.

Seasonal variations of polybrominated flame retardants bound to car dust under Mediterranean climate

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers（PBDEs） are commercial flame retardants that have been commonly used in vehicle interior to reduce fire-related hazards. Due to high temperatures and intense insolation that can be attained inside cars parked in the sun, additive PBDEs are prone to leach out and attach to in-vehicle dust, as well as to photo-debrominate. This study examines seasonal variations of concentrations of three common PBDE congeners（BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-209） in car dust in Israel. The overall concentrations of these BDEs ranged from 1 to 29 μg/g, and were higher in the summer than in the winter（average of 10.2 and5.3 μg/g, respectively）. Congener-specific concentrations showed distinct seasonal pattern,representing the interplay between leaching, evaporation and photodebromination. Photolysis of the three congeners, while adsorbed on glass filters and exposed to solar radiation, revealed first order kinetics with debromination rates on the order of 10-2/min. Hence, seasonal variations of the meteorological conditions were found to affect the in-vehicle PBDE concentrations, and are therefore expected also to affect the exposure of passengers to PBDEs.

Occurrence of emerging flame retardants from e-waste recycling activities in the northern part of Vietnam

This study investigated the contamination status of 21 emerging flame retardants(FRs)in soils(n=32)and river sediments(n=8)from an e-waste recycling(EWR)site in the northern part of Vietnam.Among analyzed FRs,higher levels of decabromodiphenyl ethane(DBDPE)(NDe4200 ng/g dw),1,2-bis-(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(BTBPE)(NDe350 ng/g dw)and Dechlorane Plus isomers(DPs)(NDe65 ng/g dw)were found in soils near EWR workshops and open burning places.The highest concentrations of DBDPE(20 ng/g dw),BTBPE(5.7 ng/g dw)and DPs(6.7 ng/g dw)were also detected in sediments collected from the middle of the EWR site.The levels decreased concomitantly with increasing distance from the EWR site.These results indicate that these FRs were released to the surrounding environment from improper recycling activities,such as manual dismantling of devices and open burning of e-wastes.Moreover,the estimated daily intakes of those FRs via soil ingestion were approximately ten times higher for children than adults.To our knowledge,this is a first comprehensive study on characterization of soil and sediment contamination by a series of emerging FRs at an EWR site in Vietnam.

Detection of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in the urban soils of Melbourne, Australia

A range of brominated flame retardants(BFRs)have been incorporated into polymeric materials like plastics,electronic equipment,foams and textiles to prevent fires.The most common of these,polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),have been subject to legislated bans and voluntary withdrawal by manufacturers in North America,Europe and Australia over the past decade due to long-range atmospheric transport,persistence in the environment,and toxicity.Evidence has shown that replacement novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)are released to the environment by the same mechanisms as PBDEs and share similar hazardous properties.The objective of the current research was to characterize soil contamination by NBFRs in the urban soils of Melbourne,Australia.A variety of industrial and nonindustrial land-uses were investigated with the secondary objective of determining likely point sources of pollution.Six NBFRs;pentabromotoluene(PBT),pentabromoethylbenzene(PBEB),hexabromobenzene(HBB),2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate(EH-TBB),1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(BTBPE)and decabromodiphenyl ethane(DBDPE)were measured in 30 soil samples using selective pressurized liquid extraction(S-PLE)and gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS).NBFRs were detected in 24/30 soil samples with S5NBFR concentrations ranging from nd-385 ng/g dw.HBB was the most frequently detected compound(14/30),while the highest concentrations were observed for DBDPE,followed by BTBPE.Electronic waste recycling and polymer manufacturing appear to be key contributors to NBFR soil contamination in the city of Melbourne.A significant positive correlation between S8PBDEs and S5NBFR soil concentrations was observed at waste disposal sites to suggest that both BFR classes are present in Melbourne's waste streams,while no association was determined among manufacturing sites.This research provides the first account of NBFRs in Australian soils and indicates that these emerging contaminants possess a similar potential to contaminate Melbourne soils as PBDEs.