SUPPLEMENTAL FILE 2:

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WILDLIFE MONITORING DATA

Prepared by

Versar Incorporated

6850 Versar Center

Springfield, VA 22151

Under

EPA contract EP-W-10-005

Also Prepared by

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20460
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Page 2 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table of Contents

1 TBBPA........................................................................................................................................3

1.1 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN SURFACE WATER (DISSOLVED AND PARTICULATE PHASES) .......................................... 3

1.2 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN SEDIMENT ......................................................................................................... 6

1.3 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN WASTEWATER .................................................................................................. 13

1.4 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN SEWAGE SLUDGE AND BIOSOLIDS ......................................................................... 15

1.5 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN OTHER SEDIMENT/SLUDGE ................................................................................. 20

1.6 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN LANDFILL LEACHATE........................................................................................... 22

1.7 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN SOIL ............................................................................................................... 24

1.8 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN AMBIENT AIR ................................................................................................... 26

1.9 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN PRECIPITATION ................................................................................................. 29

1.10 MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS IN WILDLIFE BIOTA................................................................................................ 31

2 TBBPA-BIS(DIBROMOPROPYL ETHER).......................................................................................38

2.1 MEASUREMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA...................................................................................................... 38

2.2 MEASUREMENTS IN WILDLIFE........................................................................................................................... 41

3 TBBPA-BIS(ALLYL ETHER)..........................................................................................................43

3.1 MEASUREMENTS IN WILDLIFE BIOTA.................................................................................................................. 45

4 TBBPA-BIS(METHYL ETHER) ......................................................................................................46

4.1 MEASUREMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA...................................................................................................... 46

4.2 MEASUREMENTS IN WILDLIFE........................................................................................................................... 51

REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................55
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The summaries below are taken from primary data sources with reliability ratings of 1, 2 or 4 (OECD, 

2003).

1

1 TBBPA

1.1 Measured Concentrations in Surface Water (Dissolved and 

Particulate Phases)

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in surface water, extracted from eight sources, are summarized 

below and tabulated in Table S2-1.

North America

As part of a Masters of Science thesis presented to the University of Guelph, Quade (2003) developed 

an analytical method for the determination of TBBPA in sediment (suspended and bottom) and sewage 

sludge using accelerated solvent extraction and micro-column clean-up prior to analysis by isotope 

dilution gas chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS). Because the chemical 

analysis did not include partitioning or fractionating steps that would separate TBBPA from any

methylated TBBPA (MeTBBPA) that may be present in the sediment originally, and the samples were 

methylated during analysis, the reported TBBPA concentrations are the sum of both TBBPA and 

MeTBBPA. Quade (2003) tested the method on suspended sediment samples (i.e. particulate phase of 

surface water) collected from the Detroit River in 2000. There were no known point sources of TBBPA 

in the Detroit River system. However, the area is heavily industrialized and densely populated. TBBPA 

was detected in all eight samples at concentrations of 0.6 to 1.84 μg/kg dw. The highest concentration 

was from a sample collected downstream from a Detroit River sewage treatment plant. 

Pellizzari et al. (1978) conducted a study in southern Arkansas to investigate the presence of 

brominated organic compounds in the environment from a geographical area associated with the 

bromine industry. Various environmental media samples (water, sediment, soil and ambient air) were 

collected on and off plant property for analysis of TBBPA and other brominated chemicals. TBBPA was 

not detected (< 50 μg/L) in two surface water samples collected near one facility in El Dorado, AR in 

April 1977. The type of water body sampled was not reported.

Europe

Harrad et al. (2009) assessed the seasonal and spatial variability of TBBPA and HBCD in surface water 

collected from nine English lakes with no known major point source inputs. Sediment and fish were 

collected in the study as well. Average TBBPA concentrations in three water samples collected from 

 1

For a rating of 1, the study should have a valid analytical method, data should be representative, statistical analysis could 

be conducted, and sampling (location, time period, matrix) should be adequate. For a rating of 2, three criteria from the 

rating of 1 should be met, excluding the requirement for conducting statistical analyses. A rating of 4 indicates that 

measurements are available but data are limited and reliability cannot be judged (OECD, 2003).
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each lake in the summer, fall and winter of 2008-2009 ranged from 0.000076 to 0.002083 μg/L in the 

dissolved phase, 0.000061 to 0.001273 μg/L in the suspended sediment phase, and 0.000140 to 

0.003200 in the combined phase (sum of dissolved and suspended sediment phase). Seasonal variation 

of TBBPA in water was reported as minimal. However, the intersite spatial variability was relatively 

high. The site with the highest TBBPA concentration had an average value that was 23 times higher 

than the site with the lowest average concentration.

As part of an analytical method development study for the simultaneous determination of select

brominated flame retardants in river water and in river bed sediment, (Labadie et al., 2010) measured 

TBBPA concentrations in water and sediment samples collected in 2008 from five sampling stations on 

a suburban river (Predecelle River) in Paris, France. Acceptable recoveries were achieved. As analyzed 

by gas chromatography coupled to negative chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS), 

TBBPA concentrations were <MDL (<0.000035 μg/L) in the particulate phase (n=5), and ranged from 

<MDL (<0.000035) to 0.000064 μg/L in the dissolved phase (n=5). 

Asia

Two recent studies have investigated the presence of TBBPA in lakes located near highly developed 

regions in eastern China. In 2010, Xu et al. (2013) investigated the occurrence and distribution 

characteristics of TBBPA in water and sediments from a severely eutrophic lake, Taihu Lake. In the 

dissolved phase of water samples, TBBPA concentrations ranged from <LOD (<0.00013) to 0.00112 

μg/L. TBBPA was detected in 3 of 12 samples. 

Yang et al. (2012) conducted a study in 2008 to investigate the tissue distribution of TBBPA in four fish 

species and the seasonal variation of TBBPA in the lake water and sediment of Lake Chaohu. This lake is 

located near several brominated flame retardant manufacturers. TBBPA concentrations in water 

samples collected from seven sampling stations in July, September, and November ranged from <MQL 

(<0.04) to 4.87 μg/L. TBBPA concentrations in water followed a temporal pattern with levels highest in 

July followed by September and then November (P>0.05).

He et al. (2013) determined TBBPA and HBCD concentrations in water, sediments, sediment cores, and 

three fish species in the Dongjiang River, which runs through a highly industrialized area of southern 

China. TBBPA was detected in the dissolved phase of all five water samples collected in 2010 at 

concentrations ranging from 0.001110 to 0.002830 μg/L (0.001750 μg/L mean). TBBPA ranged from ND 

to 1.6 μg/kg dw (1.3 μg/kg dw mean) in the particulate phase.

The Environment Agency of Japan has been investigating levels of chemical substances in the 

environment since fiscal year 1974. In the environmental survey, TBBPA was most recently evaluated 

in 2007, where it was detected at one of 48 sites (one sample) at a value of 0.0051 μg/L. The detection 

limit was 0.0021 μg/L (MOE, 2014). 
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Table S2-1. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Surface Water (Dissolved and Particulate Phases)

Location Water Body Year Phase N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (μg/L, unless noted 

otherwise)

Comments Reference (Reliability 

Rating d)

Range b Central Tendency c

North America

United States;

Detroit, MI

Detroit River 2000 Particulate 8 (0) 0.6-1.84 (μg/kg dw)e NR Heavily industrialized and densely 

populated; the highest 

concentration was collected 

downstream from a sewage 

treatment plant

Quade (2003) (4)

United States;

El Dorado, AR

Not Reported 1977 NR 2 (2) All <50 -- In vicinity of an organo-bromide 

production facility

Pellizzari et al. (1978)

(2)

Europe

England 9 Lakes 2008-2009; 

summer, fall, 

winter

Dissolved

Particulate

Combined

27 (0)

27 (0)

27 (0)

0.000076-0.002083f

0.000061-0.001273f

0.000140-0.003200f

NR

NR

NR

No known major point source 

inputs

Harrad et al. (2009)

(2)

France; Paris Predecelle River 2008 Dissolved

Particulate

5 (2)

5 (5)

<0.000035-0.000064

<0.000035

NR

NR

Suburban; up and downstream 

WWTP and towns

Labadie et al. (2010)

(2)

Germany - Upstream:

15 (11)

Downstream: 

15 (12)

Upstream:

0.0081-0.0204

Downstream:

0.0011-0.0188

NR Near sewage treatment plants Kuch et al. (2001) (4)

Asia

China, eastern Taihu Lake 2010 Dissolved 12 (9) <0.00013-0.00112 NR Adjacent to highly developed cities 

and towns; severe eutrophication

Xu et al. (2013) (2)

China, eastern Lake Chaohu 2008; Jul, Sep, 

and Dec

NR 7 sites (NR) <0.04-4.87 NR Adjacent to most developed 

regions in China

Yang et al. (2012) (2)

China, 

southern

Dongjiang River 2010 Dissolved

Particulate

5 (0)

5 (NR)

0.001110-0.002830

ND-1.6 (μg/kg dw)

0.00175 mean

1.3 (μg/kg dw) mean

Highly industrialized He et al. (2013) (2)

Japan; 48 sites NR 2007 NR 48 (47) < 0.0021 - 0.0051 NR MOE (2014)

_ENREF_19(4)

NR = Not reported

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as < “X” value are assumed 

to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.

e Sum of both TBBPA and MeTBBPA.

f Mean values of 3 samples per lake.
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1.2 Measured Concentrations in Sediment

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in sediment, extracted from twenty-two sources, are summarized 

below and tabulated in Table S2-2.

North America

In addition to suspended sediment from the Detroit River (refer to Table S2-1), Quade (2003) analyzed 

bottom sediment collected from eight stations on Lake Ontario in 2002. TBBPA (determined as the sum 

of both TBBPA and MeTBBPA) was quantified in three of the eight samples (0.029 to 0.063 μg/kg dw) 

and was below the detection limit in the other five samples. Quade (2003) noted that laboratory 

recoveries were small in some samples (34-38%), possibly due to organic content of the samples. The 

reported concentrations, however, accounted for the losses during preparation and clean-up because 

calculations were based on the response to the labeled internal standard.

TBBPA concentrations in sediment samples collected in the Pellizzari et al. (1978) study from the 

vicinity of multiple organo-bromide production facilities in southern Arkansas in 1976 and 1977 ranged 

from ND to 330,000 μg/kg (wet or dry weight not reported). TBBPA was detected in six of the eight

samples. The highest concentration was from a sample collected in water backed up in a reclamation 

area. Other samples were collected from ponds and running water.

South America

Baron et al. (2013) investigated the presence of brominated flame retardants in coastal, estuarine and 

river sediments from highly urbanized and industrialized areas of Colombia (n=13) and Chile (n=19). 

According to the authors, TBBPA was only detected in two Columbian samples (Bocas de Ceniza and 

Mallorquin Swamp) at a maximum concentration of 0.58 μg/kg dw. However, it should be noted that 

this value is <LOD (<2.7 μg/kg dw). 

Europe

In the Harrad et al. (2009) study, surficial sediment samples collected in 2008-2009 from nine English

lakes with no known major point source inputs showed detectable levels of TBBPA in all samples. 

Concentrations ranged from 0.33 to 3.8 μg/kg dw (n=9). 

Mean concentrations of TBBPA in river bed sediment samples collected in 2008 from five sampling 

stations on the Predecelle River, a suburban river in Paris, France, ranged from 0.065 to 0.280 μg/kg 

dw (Labadie et al., 2010).

In Spain, sewage sludge and sediment samples from the Ebro River and Cinca River were analyzed as 

part of an analytical method development study for the simultaneous determination and 

quantification of TBBPA and related compounds and HBCD using liquid chromatography–quadrupole 

linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqLIT-MS) (Guerra et al., 2010). In three sediment samples 

collected in 2008 from the Ebro River near three different WWTPs, TBBPA concentrations ranged from 

<LOD (<2.7) to 3.1 μg/kg dw. In four sediment samples collected in 2006 from the Cinco River, up- and 
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down-stream of a heavily industrialized town with a chemical industry, TBBPA concentrations ranged 

from <LOD (<2.7) to 15 μg/kg dw. The maximum concentration was detected in the sample collected 

at the station near the industrial town.

The Nordic Council of Ministers conducted a preliminary investigation of the presence of emerging

brominated flame retardants in the Nordic environment through the collection of a few samples from a 

variety of media (air, sediment sludge, and biota) at several sites (Schlabach et al., 2011). 

Environmental samples were collected between 2005 and 2010, with the majority collected in 2009. 

Sediment samples were collected in urban areas of Denmark (n=2; marine), Faroe Islands (n=3; 

marine), Finland (n=3; bays and lake), Sweden (n=1) and Norway (n=1; marine). Most samples were 

collected near WWTPs, sludge treatment plants or presumed hotspots. TBBPA was detected in only 

one sample from the Faroe Islands (presumed urban hotspot) at 16 μg/kg dw. TBBPA was below the 

detection limit, which ranged from <0.1 to <0.4 μg/kg dw, in all remaining samples

A study was also conducted by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research in 2003 to investigate 

contamination with brominated flame retardants and chlorinated paraffins in sediment and fish of the 

Drammens River and the Drammensfjordd, located in an industrialized area in the southeast of Norway

(Schlabach et al., 2004). TBBPA was detected in all sediment samples at concentrations of 0.02 to 10 

μg/kg dw in the Drammens River (n=7) and at 0.3 to 39.2 μg/kg dw in the Drammensfjordd. The 

highest concentrations in the Drammens River and the Drammensfjordd were closest to the industrial 

area.

The Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research (de Boer et al., 2002) conducted a multi-part study in 

which TBBPA and HBCD were measured in sediment, sewage sludge, landfill leachate and aquatic biota 

from rivers and estuaries surrounding the North Sea. Select results, as well as a summary of the data, 

were also presented in Morris et al. (2004). In river and estuarine sediment collected between 2000 

and 2002 from the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Ireland, TBBPA concentrations 

ranged from ND (<0.1-<2.4) to 9,753 μg/kg dw (n=73). The highest concentration measured was found 

in a freshwater sediment sample from the River Skerne in northeast England, near the vicinity of a BFR 

manufacturer. The River Skerne is a tributary of the Tees River, which showed the next highest TBBPA 

concentrations in England (ND to 57.7 μg/kg dw). TBBPA was not present, however, in the sediment 

sampled offshore of the Tees estuary.

In a Swedish study (Sellstrom and Jansson, 1995) that analyzed a limited number of sediment and 

sewage sludge samples, TBBPA was detected in surficial sediment samples (n=2) collected upstream 

and downstream of a plastics industry where TBBPA is used. TBPPA concentrations were 34 and 270 

μg/kg dw, respectively.

Asia

Recently, numerous studies have been conducted in China to investigate levels of TBBPA and other 

brominated flame retardants in the environment. As part of an analytical method development study 

using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Xu et al. (2012) determined TBBPA levels in soils 

from farmlands, soils from an e-waste recycling site, and in sediments of a canal, all collected in 2011 

from the Beijing area. The results agreed well with those of a LC-MS/MS method. In thirteen surface 

sediment samples collected along the Qinghe canal, TBBPA was detected at concentrations ranging 
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Page 8 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

from 0.3 to 22 μg/kg dw (7.7 μg/kg dw mean). The canal receives widespread runoff, discharge from 

sewage treatment plants, and direct dumping of household and yard wastes. Samples with elevated 

TBBPA levels were collected from the vicinity of downtown and an upstream e-waste site.

Qu et al. (2013) analyzed samples of soil, sediment, rice hull and earthworms collected near a 

brominated flame retardant manufacturing plant in Liuyang, Hunan, China for TBBPA and/or TBBPA 

derivatives. Additionally, mollusks from nine cities on the Bohai Sea were analyzed. TBBPA 

concentrations in sediment collected from six sites in the Liuyang River in 2010 ranged from <LOD 

(<0.03) to 132 μg/kg dw. TBBPA levels were highest in sediment samples collected near the outlet of 

the BFR plant and decreased downstream. The lowest levels were detected in sediment found 

upstream of the BFR plant. As such, the authors state that the brominated flame retardant plant is 

most likely the release source of TBBPA and derivatives.

In addition to surface water, Xu et al. (2013) and Yang et al. (2012) investigated TBBPA levels in

sediment samples collected from two eastern Chinese lakes located near highly developed regions. In 

Xu et al. (2013), TBBPA concentrations in surface sediment samples collected in 2009 from Taihu Lake 

(n=12) ranged from 0.056 to 2.15 μg/kg dw (0.7 ± 0.54 μg/kg dw mean). Higher concentrations were 

noted in areas more influenced by human activities. 

In samples from Lake Chaohu collected in 2008, Yang et al. (2012) measured mean TBBPA 

concentrations of 105.8 to 230.5 μg/kg dw in surface sediments (maximum individual concentration of 

518 μg/kg dw) and 88 to 155 μg/kg dw in sediment cores (0-12 cm). The highest levels were observed 

at the entrance of the most polluted inflow rivers and nearest an industrial city. TBBPA concentrations 

in surface sediment followed a temporal pattern. The levels were highest in spring, lower in autumn, 

even lower in summer and the lowest in winter (P<0.05). The concentrations of TBBPA in the sediment 

cores decreased from surface to bottom layers.

In the He et al. (2013) study of the sediment, water and fish of the Dongjiang River, which runs through 

a highly industrialized area of southern China, TBBPA was detected in the majority of the surface 

sediment samples collected in 2010 (39 of 42 samples). TBBPA concentrations ranged from ND to 82.3 

μg/kg dw (15.2 μg/kg dw mean). Two sediment cores (0-76 cm) were also collected. TBBPA

concentrations ranged from 7.9 to 450 μg/kg dw (n=13; 91.6 μg/kg dw mean) in the core from the 

outlet of the largest tributary of the catchment (Core 1) and from 0.2 to 14 μg/kg dw (n=15; 2.9 μg/kg 

dw mean) in the core situated in the middle of one small tributary of the catchment (Core 2). In both 

cores, TBBPA levels were significantly higher in the upper section than the lower section. 

Surface sediment from six rivers, including the Dongjiang River, and an estuary in the Pearl River Delta 

of southern China, were also investigated by Feng et al. (2012) for the presence of TBBPA in samples 

collected between 2009 and 2010. Overall, TBBPA was detected in the majority of the samples at 

concentrations ranging from <MDL (<0.025) to 304 μg/kg dw (n=121). Mean concentrations ranged 

from 0.471 μg/kg dw in the Pearl River Estuary to 64.7 μg/kg dw in the Dayanhe River. Both rural and 

urban rivers were sampled, with the majority of the rivers impacted by industry. The highest 

concentrations were in the Dayanhe River, which runs through an agricultural area where e-waste is 

also processed.
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Page 9 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

TBBPA levels in surface sediment and sediment cores from the Dongjiang River were also previously 

measured in 2006 by Zhang et al. (2009). No TBBPA manufacturing plants were located in the study 

region. TBBPA was present in all surface sediment samples (n=15), at 3.8 to 230 μg/kg dw. In cores (0-

60 cm), TBBPA was highest in the upper sections at maximum levels of 9.4 to 18 μg/kg dw. 

Several studies have investigated the occurrence of TBBPA in the Japanese environment. Ohta et al. 

(2004) investigated the levels of TBBPA and other brominated flame retardants in stock fish of the 

Osaka Bay and in sediment collected from the coastal area of the Setouchi Sea in 2003. TBBPA was 

detected in 17 sediment samples from the Setouchi Sea at 0.08 to 5 μg/kg dw. The highest levels were 

from samples collected from an area containing many chemical factories.

Watanabe et al. (1983a) analyzed sediment from samples in estuaries in the Osaka Bay and rivers in 

Osaka, as well as in estuaries outside of Osaka. All samples were collected between 1981 and 1983. 

TBBPA levels were lowest in sediment from estuaries outside of Osaka, at ND (<0.5) to 1.8 μg/kg dw

(n=7). In the estuaries of the Osaka Bay, TBBPA levels ranged from 0.5 to 4.5 μg/kg dw (n=6). Levels 

were highest in sediment from rivers in Osaka, at 22 to 140 μg/kg dw (n=6). The sampling sites in the 

rivers were near the city center of Osaka and receive large amounts of effluents from sewage 

treatment plants, municipal incinerators and factories. 

The environmental surveys conducted across Japan by the Environment Agency of Japan show that 

TBBPA was detected (<0.57 – 6.2 μg/kg dw) in 26 sediment samples collected from 64 sampling areas 

in 2007 (n=192) (MOE, 2014).
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Page 10 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-2. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Sediment

Location Water Body Year N (# ND)a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dw) Comments Reference

(Reliability Rating d Range b Central Tendency c )

North America

United States and 

Canada 

Lake Ontario; 8 stations 2002 8 (5) ND – 0.063e NR Quade (2003) (4)

United States; 

El Dorado, AR 

Ponds, clear running water, 

reclamation areas

1976-1977 8 (2) ND – 330,000

(weight type not 

reported)

NR In vicinity of organo-bromide 

production facilities

Pellizzari et al. 

(1978) (2)

South America

Columbia Magdalena

River area (coastal, 

estuarine, and river); 5 sites

2009-2010 13 (13f) All <2.7f -- Highly urbanized and 

industrialized areas

Baron et al. (2013)

(2)

Chile Biobio region (coastal and 

estuarine); 3 sites

2009-2010 19 (19) All <2.7 -- Highly urbanized and 

industrialized areas

Europe

England 9 lakes 2008-2009 9 (0) 0.33-3.8 NR No known major point source 

inputs

Harrad et al. (2009)

(2)

France; Paris Predecelle River; 5 stations 2008 15 (0) 0.065-0.28g NR Suburban river; Up and 

downstream up WWTP and 

towns

Labadie et al. (2010)

(2)

Spain Ebro River

Cinca River

2008

2006

3 (1)

4 (2)

<2.7-3.1

<2.7-15

NR

NR

-Near WWTP

-Up and downstream of town 

with chemical industry

Guerra et al. (2010)

(2)

Denmark

Faroe Islands

Finland

Sweden

Norway

Two marine sites

Three marine/harbor sites

Two coastal/estuary bays; 

one lake

NR

One marine site

2009

2007-2009

2009

2009

2009

2 (2)

3 (2)

3 (3)

3 (3)

1 (1)

All <0.2

<0.1-16

All <0.1

All <0.4

All <0.1

--

NR

--

--

--

-One sample collected close to 

sludge treatment outlet, urban

-Presumed hotspots, urban

-Major multi-affected rivers; lake 

downstream of a city

-Near effluent points of WWTPs, 

urban

-Receiving water of WWTP, 

urban

Schlabach et al. 

(2011) (4)

Norway Drammens River

Drammensfjord

2003

2003

7 (0)

4 (0)

0.02-10

0.3-39.2

NR

NR

Highest levels were close to 

industrial areas

Schlabach et al. 

(2004) (4)

Belgium Scheldt Basin (11 rivers) 2001 19 (4) <0.1-67 5.4±16 mean de Boer et al. (2002)

(4) and Morris et al. 

(2004) (2)

The Netherlands Western Scheldt (estuarine) 2000 19 (6) <0.1-3.2 1±1 mean

The Netherlands 8 rivers (estuarine and 

riverine)

2000 9 (1) <0.1-6.9 2.2±2.2 mean

United Kingdom 6 rivers (estuarine and 

riverine)

2000-2002 22 (12) <2.4-9,753 451±2077 mean Maximum value from River

Skerne near the vicinity of a BFR 

manufacturer
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Page 11 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-2. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Sediment

Location Water Body Year N (# ND)a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dw) Comments Reference

(Reliability Rating d Range b Central Tendency c )

Ireland Two rivers NR 4 (1) <2.4-3.7 NR de Boer et al. (2002)

(4)

Sweden NR NR Up: 1 (0)

Down: 1 (0)

Up: 34

Down: 270

--

--

Up and downstream of plastics 

industry were TBBPA is used

Sellstrom and 

Jansson (1995) (2)

Asia

China, northern; 

Beijing

Qinghe Canal 2011 13 (0) 0.3-22 7.7 mean Urban Xu et al. (2012) (2)

China, eastern; 

Liuyang, Hunan

Liuyang River 2010 6 sites (NR) <0.03-132 NR Up- and downstream of the

effluent outlet of a BFR factory

Qu et al. (2013) (1)

China, eastern Taihu Lake 2010 12 (0) 0.056-2.15 0.7±0.54 mean Adjacent to highly developed 

cities and towns; severe 

eutrophication

Xu et al. (2013) (2)

China, eastern Lake Chaohu 2008 

(spring, 

summer 

and winter)

Surface: 10 sites 

(0)

Core: 10 sites (0)

105.8-230.5h

(518.3 max)

88-155h

means: 230.5 in 

spring, 130.2 in 

summer, and 

105.8 in winter

Adjacent to most developed 

regions in China; highest levels 

at the entrance of the most 

polluted inflow rivers and 

nearest an industrial city

Yang et al. (2012) (2)

China, southern; 

Pearl River Delta

Dongjiang River catchment 2010 Surface = 42 (3)

Core 1 = 19 (0)

Core 2 = 19 (0)

ND-82.3 

7.9-450

0.2-14

15.2 mean

91.6 mean

2.9 mean

Highly industrialized; core 

expected to encompass ~15 

years.

Detection limit not provided.

He et al. (2013) (2)

China, southern; 

Pearl River Delta

Dongjiang River

Zhujiang River

Beijiang River

Xijiang River

Shunde tributaries of 

Dayanhe River

Dayanhe River

Pearl River Estuary

2009-2010 42 (3)

19 (0)

14 (0)

13 (2)

8 (0)

12 (0)

13 (0)

<0.025-82.3

0.10-127

0.537-6.2

>0.025-1.33

0.264-27.1

0.741-304

0.060-1.39

15.16 mean; 6.43 

median

28.37 mean; 13.38 

median

2.80 mean; 2.70 

median

0.51 mean; 0.422 

median

4.59 mean; 1.38 

median

64.7 mean; 13.38 

median

0.471 mean; 0.388 

median

Electronics

Electronics

Rural and urban areas

Rural/ industrialized

Industrial (appliances)

Agricultural/e-waste

Receives input from all rivers in 

delta

Feng et al. (2012) (2)

China, southern; 

Pearl River Delta

Dongjiang River 2006 Surface = 15 (0)

Core 1 = 13 (NR)

Core 2 = 15 (NR)

3.8-230

9.4 (max)

18 (max) 

NR

NR

NR

Highly industrialized; no TBBPA 

manufacturing plants present

Zhang et al. (2009)

(2)

Japan, western Setouchi Sea (coastal areas) 2003 17 (0) 0.08-5 NR Highest values from area with Ohta et al. (2004)
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Page 12 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-2. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Sediment

Location Water Body Year N (# ND)a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dw) Comments Reference

(Reliability Rating d Range b Central Tendency c )

many chemical factories (4)

Japan Estuaries in Osaka Bay 

Rivers in Osaka

Estuaries other than in 

Osaka

1981-1983 6 (0)

6 (0)

7 (5) 

0.5-4.5

22-140

<0.5-1.8

NR

NR

NR

-Urban

-Urban; STP, municipal 

incinerators, factories

-Urban

Watanabe et al. 

(1983a) (2)

Japan; 64 sites 2007 192 (166) < 0.57 – 6.2 NR _ENREF_19 MOE 

(2014) (4)

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as “<X” are assumed to be 

non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable. e Sum of both TBBPA and MeTBBPA. Quade (2003) noted that laboratory recoveries were small in some samples (34-38%), possibly due to organic content of the 

samples. The reported concentrations, however, accounted for the losses during preparation and clean-up because calculations were based on the response to the 

labeled internal standard.

f The authors stated that TBBPA was detected in two samples at a maximum of 0.58 μg/kg, however, this value is less than the reported LOD of 2.7 μg/kg. g Values are mean of three samples per station. 

h Mean values from spring, summer, and winter from each sampling station.
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Page 13 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

1.3 Measured Concentrations in Wastewater

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in wastewater, extracted from four sources, are summarized below 

and tabulated in Table S2-3.

North America

Potvin et al. (2012) compared removal efficiencies of TBBPA using typical wastewater treatment 

technologies, and identified the most significant mechanisms of removal. In this Canadian study,

wastewater influent and effluent concentrations were determined at two types of plants: 1) a full-scale 

conventional activated sludge (CAS) reactor equipped with rotating biological contractors and a sand 

filter as tertiary treatment, and 2) at three pilot-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs), each with 

different sludge retention times. All four reactors were fed the same municipal influent; TBBPA in the 

influent ranged from 0.001 to 0.041 μg/L (n=10). In effluent, TBBPA concentrations ranged from below 

the detection limit (<0.0001) to 0.0022 μg/L for the CAS plant (n=3; 0.0007±0.0013 μg/L mean). 

Concentrations averaged 0.006 ± 0.006 μg/L for the three MBR plants (n=26). Potvin et al. (2012)

determined that the average TBBPA removal was significantly higher by the CAS plant than the MBRs.

Africa

Chokwe et al. (2012) investigated a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method for the 

simultaneous analysis of two types of endocrine disrupting compounds. The method was tested on 

influent and effluent samples collected in 2012 from the Leeuwkuil wastewater treatment plant

(WWTP) located in the Vereeniging region of South Africa. TBBPA concentrations were 6.629 to 6.806 

μg/L in influent (n=2) and 3.269 μg/L in effluent (n=1).

Europe

de Boer et al. (2002) and Morris et al. (2004) reported TBBPA results in influent, effluent and sludge 

samples collected in 2002 from WWTPs in the Netherlands and southeast England. Influent and 

effluent were sampled from five WWTPs in the Netherlands with either high treatment capacity 

(population equivalents of 200,000 to 750,000; n=4) or small treatment capacity (population 

equivalent of 100,000; n=1). In England, five WWTPs were also sampled, which served populations 

varying from 4,750 to 143,000. According to Morris et al. (2004), all facilities received domestic 

wastewater only. In the Dutch samples, TBBPA was not detected in the particulate phase of any 

influent sample (<6.9 μg/kg dw) and was detected in the particulate phase of all effluent samples at 3.1 

to 63 μg/kg dw (42±24 μg/kg dw mean). The dissolved phase was not analyzed. The Dutch influent and 

effluent samples were prepared in slightly different ways. Influent samples were filtered in the 

laboratory and the resulting residue was dried and used for analysis. Effluent samples were centrifuged 

at the location using a high throughput centrifuge, and then the residue was mixed with sodium 

sulphate and Soxhelt extracted. 

In the English samples, which were filtered to obtain both dissolved and particulate phases for analysis, 

TBBPA was detected in the influent at <0.015 to 0.0852 μg/L in the dissolved phase and <3.9 to 21.7 

μg/kg dw in the particulate phase. TBBPA was not detected in the effluent of any sample (<0.015 μg/L 

in the dissolved phase and <3.9 μg/kg dw in the particulate phase).
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Page 14 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-3. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Wastewater

Location Wastewater 

Type

Year Influent Effluent Comments Reference

N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration

Range b Central 

Tendency c

Range b Central 

Tendency c

North America

Canada; 

Guelph, Ontario

Municipal NR 3 (0) 0.013-0.029 μg/L NR 3 (2) <0.0001-0.0022 μg/L 0.0007±0.0013 

μg/L mean

Conventional activated 

sludge (CAS) reactor with 

tertiary treatment

Potvin et al. 

(2012) (4)

7 (0) 0.001-0.041 μg/L 0.021±0.014 

mean

26 (0) Max 0.025 μg/L 0.006 ± 0.006 

μg/L mean

Three pilot-scale 

membrane bioreactors

Africa

South Africa; 

Vereeniging

NR 2012 2 (0) 6.629-6.806 μg/L NR 1 (0) 3.269 μg/L NR Chokwe et 

al. (2012)

(2)

Europe

The 

Netherlands (5

sites)

Domestic 2002 Part.: 5 (5) All <6.9 μg/kg dw -- Part.: 5 (0) 3.1-63 μg/kg dw 42±24 mean

μg/kg dw

Serves populations of 

200,000 - 750,000 (n=4) or 

~100,000 (n=1)

de Boer et 

al. (2002)

(4) and 

Morris et al. 

(2004) (2)

England, 

southeast (5 

sites)

Domestic 2002 Diss.:5 (1)

Part.: 5 (4)

<0.015-0.0852 μg/L

<3.9-21.7 μg/kg dw

NR

75±8 mean 

μg/kg dw

Diss.:5 (5) 

Part.: 5 (5)

All <0.015 μg/L

All <3.9 μg/kg dw

--

--

Serves populations of 

4,800 to 143,000

NR = Not reported

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as < “X” value are assumed 

to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
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Page 15 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

1.4 Measured Concentrations in Sewage Sludge and Biosolids

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in sewage sludge and biosolids are extracted from twelve sources 

and are summarized below and tabulated in Table S2-4.

North America

Quade (2003) measured concentrations of TBBPA in seven sewage sludge samples collected from five 

WWTPs in southern Ontario, Canada in 2002 and in seven biosolid samples collected from WWTPs in 

four states of the United States between 1999 and 2001. TBBPA (determined as the sum of TBBPA and 

methylated TBBPA) was detected in all Ontario sewage sludge samples (raw or digested) with 

concentrations ranging from 9.04 to 43.1 μg/kg dw. The Ontario WWTPs employed both primary and 

secondary treatment using aerobic digestion. One plant also employed tertiary filtration. TBBPA 

(determined as the sum of TBBPA and methylated TBBPA) was detected in all U.S. biosolid samples 

with concentrations ranging from 2.98 to 196 μg/kg dw. The samples were obtained from plants that 

utilize anaerobic digestion (n=4), lime stabilization (n=2), or composting (n=1) prior to land application. 

Laboratory recoveries were small (~43% for Ontario sewage sludge and ~53% for U.S. biosolids). 

However, losses during preparation and clean-up were accounted for by the use of isotopically labeled 

internal standard.

Lee and Pearl (2002) investigated the occurrence of TBBPA and other chemicals in 35 raw or digested 

sewage sludge samples collected between July 1994 and January 2001 from 21 large, medium and 

small municipalities across Canada. Raw sludge was sampled from primary sedimentation tanks and 

digested sludge was sampled from secondary clarifiers. TBBPA concentrations ranged from 2.9 to 46.2 

μg/kg dw in 34 out of 35 samples, and was not detected (<1 μg/kg dw) in one sample. 

Europe

In 2009, Gorga et al. (2013) collected sewage sludge samples from 17 WWTPs located throughout the 

Catalonia region of northeastern Spain for analysis of TBBPA and other brominated flame retardants. 

These WWTPs service from 83,500 to 1,151,500 equivalent habitants. Sewage sludge was treated 

following anaerobic digestion at the majority of these locations (n=14). In the remaining locations 

(n=3), sludge treatment was carried out by an activated sludge process. TBBPA in the anaerobically 

digested sludge was 15 to 472 μg/kg dw at 13 WTTPs and was not detected (<3 μg/kg dw) at the 

remaining WWTP. TBBPA in the activated sludge was 130 to 245 μg/kg dw at two WWTPs and was not 

detected (<3 μg/kg dw) at the remaining WWTP. Including all WWTPs (n=17), TBBPA was detected at a 

mean concentration of 104 μg/kg dw and a median concentration of 96.7 μg/kg dw.

In addition to sediment, Guerra et al. (2010) analyzed sewage sludge for TBBPA, HBCD, and related 

compounds from seven WWTPs in the northeast of Spain using the LC-QqLIT-MS method developed in 

the study. All, samples were collected in 2008 from WWTPs serving populations ranging from 37,300 to 

650,000 inhabitants. TBBPA ranged from 411 to 1,329 μg/kg dw in sludge collected from three WWTPs 

treating both industrial and urban wastewater. Two of the facilities used primary settling and all 

facilities used activated sludge secondary treatment. In four WWTPs treating only urban wastewater, 

TBBPA was detected in three of the samples at 287 to 1,032 μg/kg dw (facilities using primary settling 
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Page 16 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

and activated sludge secondary treatment) and was <LOQ (<8.9 μg/kg dw) in one sample (facility using 

primary settling and biologic filters).

In the environmental survey conducted by the Nordic Council of Ministers Schlabach et al. (2011),

sewage sludge was analyzed for TBBPA from WWTPs in Denmark (n=2), Faroe Islands (n=2), Finland 

(n=3), Iceland (n=2), Sweden (n=2) and Norway (n=2). Samples were collected in 2009 (year not 

reported for Iceland), and included facilities receiving a variety of wastewater types: 

municipal/domestic, industrial, and hospital. TBBPA was only detected in two samples: at 32 μg/kg dw in 

one sample from Denmark (received wastewater from households and industry) and at 11 μg/kg dw in one 

sample from Faroe Islands (received municipal wastewater). TBBPA was not detected (<1 to <20 μg/kg 

dw) in the remaining samples. 

Öberg et al. (2002) analyzed 57 sewage sludge samples from 22 Swedish municipal wastewater 

treatment plants for TBBPA. Samples were sent to the laboratory between October of 1999 and 

September of 2000. The reference did not provide specific details on the locations of the plants or the 

type of wastewater the plants processed. TBBPA concentrations were <0.3 μg /kg to 220 μg/kg ww, 

with a median of 2 μg/kg ww. Lower and upper quartiles of 0.51 and 4.0 μg/kg ww, respectively, were 

reported. The detection limit and number of samples below the detection limit were not provided.

Metzger and Kuch (2003) collected 32 sludge samples from different WWTPs in Baden-Württemberg in 

Southwestern Germany. No specifics were given on the characteristics or locations of the plants. 

TBBPA was found in samples at concentrations of 0.6 to 62 μg/kg dw, with a mean of 16 μg/kg dw.

Sellstrom and Jansson (1995) obtained sewage sludge from two sewage treatment plants in Sweden. In 

one sample collected from a sewage treatment plant that received leach water from a landfill with 

wastes from a producer of plastics containing TBBPA, TBBPA was detected at 56 μg/kg dw. In one 

sample collected from a sewage treatment plant where no known users of TBBPA are connected, 

TBBPA was detected at 31 μg/kg dw.

de Boer et al. (2002) and Morris et al. (2004) reported TBBPA results in sewage sludge samples 

collected from the same Dutch and English WWTPs in which wastewater influent and effluent samples 

were also collected (see Table S2-3). According to Morris et al. (2004), all facilities received domestic 

wastewater only. In the Netherlands, an additional four facilities were sampled, resulting in sewage 

sludge samples from nine facilities, including six high treatment capacity facilities (population 

equivalents of 200,000 to 750,000) and three small treatment capacity facilities (population 

equivalents of 100,000 to 150,000). 

TBBPA ranged from 2 to 600 μg/kg dw in the sludge from the nine WWTPs. Morris et al. (2004)

reported a mean of 79 ± 196 μg/kg dw from eight of the WWTPs. In southeast England, TBBPA in 

sewage sludge samples from five facilities (serving populations of 4,750 to 143,000) ranged from 15.9 

to 112 μg/kg dw (59 ± 41 μg/kg dw mean). de Boer et al. (2002) and Morris et al. (2004) also sampled 

sewage sludge in 2002 from three WWTPs in Ireland, with TBBPA concentrations ranging from <2.4 to 

192 μg/kg dw (95 ± 83 μg/kg dw mean). Morris et al. (2004) states that the accumulation of TBBPA in 

sludge may be due to the use of recycled thermal paper in the production of toilet paper, as 

documented in Kuch et al. (2001).
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Page 17 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Asia

Hwang et al. (2012) investigated the presence of brominated flame retardants and PCDD/Fs in sewage 

sludge generated from industrial WWTPs (n=7) in Ulsan City, Korea and in municipal WWTPs (n=4) in 

Busan, Korea. The industrial WWTPs received wastewater from the chemical fiber industry, 

engineering plastic industry, textile industry (including dyeing), oil refineries and the pulp industry. The 

wastewater was first treated by a chemical treatment process to neutralize and precipitate impurities 

before the biological treatment process. TBBPA was detected in these samples at 4.01 to 144 μg/kg 

dw. The municipal WWTPs received wastewater from the second largest city in Korea. Three of the 

facilities received only sewage (serving populations of 200,000 to 1,100,000) and one facility received 

mixed wastewater (70%) in addition to municipal sewage (30%). With the exception of one sample, the 

Busan wastewater did not undergo an initial chemical treatment/precipitation process. One sample 

also went through anaerobic digestion. The levels of TBBPA in the Busan municipal sewage sludge were 

higher and ranged from 67.1 to 618 μg/kg dw. The highest concentration was from a facility that 

received mixed wastewater. 

In addition to sediment, Feng et al. (2012) analyzed two sewage sludge samples from a wastewater 

treatment plant in Guangzhou, China. The WWTP treats water from both domestic and industrial 

sources at a proportion of approximately 6 to 4. The samples contained 657 and 732 μg/kg dw TBBPA, 

with a mean of 694 μg/kg dw.
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Page 18 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-4. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Sewage Sludge and Biosolids 

Location Wastewater Type Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dw, unless noted 

otherwise)

Preparation/ Comments Reference (Reliability 

Rating d)

Range b Central Tendency c

North America

Canada; Ontario 7 samples collected 

from 5 WWTP sites

2002 7 (0) 9.04 to 43.1 NR Raw or digested (aerobic) Quade (2003)

United States; 4 states 7 samples collected 

from WWTPs in four 

states

1999-2001 7 (0) 2.98 to 196 NR Anaerobic digestion (n=4), 

Lime stabilization (n=2), 

Composted (n=1)

Quade (2003)

Canada; across 7 

provinces

Municipal (21 

municipalities)

1994 -2001 35 (1) ND-46.2 NR Raw (n=13) and digested 

(n=22); small, medium and 

large facilities.

Detection limit not reported.

Lee and Pearl (2002)

(2)

Europe

Spain; Catalonia NR (17 sites) 2009 14 (1)

3 (1)

<3-472

<3-245

Overall (n=17): 104 mean;

96.7 median

Anaerobic digested

Activated sludge

Gorga et al. (2013) (2)

Spain; Ebro River Urban/industrial (3 sites) 2008 3 (0) 411-1,329 NR Activated sludge Guerra et al. (2010) (2)

Urban (4 sites) 2008 3 (0)

1 (1)

287-1,032

All <8.9

NR

--

Activated sludge

Biologic filter

Denmark Domestic/Industrial (2 

sites)

2009 2 (1) <3-32 NR NR Schlabach et al. (2011)

(4)

Faroe Islands -Hospital (1 site)

-Municipal (1 site)

2009

2009

1 (1)

1 (0)

All <4

11

--

--

NR

NR

Finland Municipal/Industrial (3 

sites)

2009 3 (3) All <1-<3 -- Dewatered

Iceland NR (1 site) NR 2 (2) All <4 -- Non-processed, nondehydrated 

Sweden Mixed sewage water 

from many 

communities (2 sites)

2009 2 (2) All <1-<20 -- Digested dewaterised sludge

Norway NR (2 sites) 2009 2 (2) All <1-<2 -- NR

Sweden Municipal (22 plants) 1999-2000 57 (NR) <0.3-220 (wet) 2 median (wet) NR Öberg et al. (2002) (4)

Germany; BadenWürttemberg32 sites 2003 32 (NR) 0.6-62 16 mean NR Metzger and Kuch 

(2003) (4)

Sweden -Receives leach water 

from landfill with 

wastes from plastics 

industry. 

1995 1 (0) 56 -- NR Sellstrom and Jansson 

(1995) (2)
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 19 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-4. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Sewage Sludge and Biosolids 

Location Wastewater Type Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dw, unless noted 

otherwise)

Preparation/ Comments Reference (Reliability 

Rating d)

Range b Central Tendency c

-No known users of 

TBBPA.

1 (0) 31 -- NR

The Netherlands Domestic (9 sites) 2002 9 (0) 2-600 79±196 mean (8 sites only) NR de Boer et al. (2002) (4) 

and Morris et al. (2004)

England, SE Domestic (5 sites) 2002 5 (0) 15.9- 112 59±41mean NR (2)

Ireland Domestic (3 sites) 2002 6 (1) <2.4-192 95±83 mean NR

Asia

Korea; Ulsan City 

(Industrial) and Busan

(Municipal)

Industrial (7 sites)

Municipal (4 sites)

2011

2011

7(0)

4 (0)

4.01-144

67.1-618

NR

NR

-Chemical treatment + 

activated sludge

-Chemical treatment + 

activated sludge, Activated 

sludge, or Activated sludge + 

sludge anaerobic digestion

Hwang et al. (2012) (2)

China; Pearl River Delta Domestic and Industrial 

(1 site)

2 (0) 657-732 694 mean NR Feng et al. (2012) (2)

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as < “X” value are assumed 

to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 20 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

1.5 Measured Concentrations in Other Sediment/Sludge

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in sludge and/or sediment collected from sources other than 

WWTPs (i.e., stormwater collection areas, landfills, and recycling facilities) are summarized below and 

tabulated in Table S2-5. These data were extracted from three sources.

Europe

TBBPA levels were measured in stormwater sludge and sediment by Schlabach et al. (2011). TBBPA was 

not detected in sludge samples collected from urban drainage wells in Finland in 2009 (n=2; <0.2 μg/kg 

dw) or in sludge from landfill effluent in Iceland (n=1), but was detected in a sludge sample from a 

ditch near an industrial site in Finland in 2009 at 59 μg/kg dw (n=1). 

In the Netherlands, de Boer et al. (2002) measured TBBPA in a sediment sample from a residential 

sewer at 3.7 μg/kg dw.

Schlabach et al. (2011) also measured TBBPA in sludge from landfill leachate basins in Sweden in 2009.

TBBPA was not detected (<1 μg/kg dw) in any sample (n=2). TBBPA was also not detected (<0.4 μg/kg 

dw) in landfill sludge collected in the Netherlands (n=2) in 2002 de Boer et al. (2002).

In sludge from recycling facilities in Norway, including a car demolishing and e-waste recycling facility 

(n=1) and a municipal recycling and landfill facility (n=1), TBBPA was also not detected (<0.2 μg/kg dw) 

Schlabach et al. (2011).
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Page 21 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-5. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Other Sediment/Sludge

Location Site Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dry) Reference (Reliability 

Rating d Range ) b Central Tendency c

Europe

Stormwater Sludge/Sediment

Finland -Ditch near industrial site (1 site)

- Waste deposit drainage wells in 

urban area (2 sites)

2009

2009

1 (0)

2 (2)

59

All <0.1-<0.2

--

--

Schlabach et al. (2011) (4)

Iceland From landfill effluent (1 site) NR 1 (1) ND (detection limit not 

provided)

--

Residential Sewer Sludge/Sediment

The Netherlands Residential sewer (1 site) 2002 1 (0) 3.7 -- de Boer et al. (2002) (4)

Landfill Sludge/Sediment

Sweden Leachate basin from landfill (2 

sites)

2009 2 (2) All <0.6-<1 -- Schlabach et al. (2011) (4)

The Netherlands Landfill (2 sites) 2002 2 (2) All <0.3-<0.4 -- de Boer et al. (2002) (4)

and Morris et al. (2004)

(2)

Recycling Sludge/Sediment

Norway Leachate basin from recycling 

facilities (car demolishing/ewaste/municipal/ landfill) (2 

sites)

2009 2 (2) All <0.1-<0.2 -- Schlabach et al. (2011) (4)

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as < “X” value are assumed 

to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
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Page 22 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

1.6 Measured Concentrations in Landfill Leachate

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in landfill leachate, extracted from two sources, are summarized 

below and tabulated in Table S2-6.

Europe

de Boer et al. (2002) measured TBBPA concentrations in landfill leachate collected from nine locations 

in the Netherlands, three from southeast England, and three from Ireland. According to Morris et al. 

(2004), all landfills received domestic or municipal wastes only. de Boer et al. (2002) noted that the 

landfill leachate samples from the Netherlands were collected prior to purification and release to the 

environment as landfill effluent. de Boer et al. (2002) did not specifically state the sample collection 

timing for the English and Irish samples. In the particulate phase of samples collected in the 

Netherlands, TBBPA was measured at <5.5 to 320 μg/kg dw, with detection in only three of the nine 

samples (de Boer et al., 2002). Morris et al. (2004) reported a mean of 54 ± 108 μg/kg dw from 11 

samples, which appears to include the nine landfill leachate samples in addition to the two landfill 

sludge samples discussed above. TBBPA was not detected in either the dissolved phase (<0.015 μg/L) 

or particulate phase (<3.9 μg/kg dw) of samples collected in southeast England (n=3) or Ireland (n=6), 

as reported in de Boer et al. (2002).
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Page 23 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-6. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Landfill Leachate

Location Site Phase Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration Comments Reference (Reliability 

Rating d Range ) b Central Tendency c

Europe

The Netherlands Domestic and municipal 

waste only (9 sites)

Particulate 2002 9 (6) <5.5-320 μg/kg dw 54±108 μg/kg dw 

(n=11, includes 2 

landfill sludge 

samples)

Samples collected 

prior to treatment 

for release for to the 

environment.

de Boer et al. (2002)

(4) and Morris et al. 

(2004) (2)

England, 

southeast

Domestic and municipal 

waste only (3 sites)

Dissolved

Particulate

2002 3 (3)

3 (3)

All <0.015 μg/L

All <3.9 μg/kg dw

--

--

Ireland Domestic and municipal 

waste only (3 sites)

Dissolved

Particulate

2002 6 (6)

6 (6)

All <0.015 μg/L

All <3.9 μg/kg dw

--

--

Finland Site 1 - 2002 1(1) n.d. -- Peltola (2002)

Finland Metal dismantling - 2002 1(0) 0.9 μg/L

Iceland Landfill effluent - 2011 1(1) n.d. -- Schlabach et al. 

Sweden Sludge from landfill (2011)

basins

- 2009 2(2) < 1 μg/kg dw -- --

Asia

Japan Leachate from municipal 

landfills:

incineration ash, 

incombustables, crushed 

bulk waste [and sewage 

treatment sludge at one 

site]

- 2004 6 landfills (raw)

3 landfills 

(treated)

< 0.010-0.620 μg/L 

(raw)

< 0.001 – 0.011 μg/L 

(treated) 

Osako et al. (2004)

Japan

Japan Industrial waste landfill 

leachate; raw

Dissolved

Overall

2004 - 0.0043 μg/L

< 0.001 μg/L

Japan Industrial waste landfill 

leachate; treated

Dissolved

Overall

2004 - < 0.0005 μg/L

< 0.0005 μg/L

Japan Leachate - - 5 landfills 0.0003 – 0.540 μg/L 0.130 μg/L

(pre-treatment)

0.0077 μg/L 

(post-treatment)

Suzuki and Hasegawa 

(2006)

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as < “X” value are assumed 

to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 24 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

1.7 Measured Concentrations in Soil

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in soil, extracted from three sources, are summarized below and 

tabulated in Table S2-7.

North America

Pellizzari et al. (1978) reported the presence of TBBPA in soil samples collected between 1976 and 

1977 in the vicinity of multiple organo-bromide production facilities in southern Arkansas. TBBPA 

concentrations ranged from <100 to 225,000 μg/kg (wet or dry weight not specified), with detection in 

10 of 17 samples.

Asia

In addition to sediment, Qu et al. (2013) investigated the presence of TBBPA in agricultural surface soil 

samples collected in 2010, upstream and downstream of the effluent outlet for a brominated flame 

retardant manufacturing plant at the Liuyang River within the Hunan province of China. TBBPA was not 

detected (<0.03 μg/kg dw) in six agricultural soils samples.

In the analytical method development study conducted by Xu et al. (2012) using surface soil and 

sediment collected in the Beijing area in 2011, TBBPA was measured in soil from an e-waste recycling 

site at 26 to 104 μg/kg dw (n=4). TBBPA was detected at lower levels in agricultural soil at <LOD (<0.04) 

to 5.6 μg/kg dw (n=11), with detection in only two samples. According to Xu et al. (2012), the presence 

of TBBPA in the farmland soils could be due to the recent input of compost containing organic 

pollutants.
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Table S2-7. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Soil

Location Site Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg dw) Reference (Reliability 

Rating d Range ) b Central Tendency c

North America

United States;

El Dorado, AR

Vicinity of multiple 

organo-bromide 

production facilities

1976-1977 17 (7) <100 – 225,000 (weight type not 

reported)

NR Pellizzari et al. (1978)

(2)

Asia

China, eastern; 

Liuyang, Hunan

Agricultural soil near 

BFR factory (upstream 

and downstream of 

effluent outlet at the 

Liuyang River)

2010 6 (6) All <0.03 -- Qu et al. (2013) (1)

China, northern; 

Beijing

Open e-waste

recycling site

2011 4 (0) 26-104 NR Xu et al. (2012) (2)

Farmland 2011 11 (9) <0.04-5.6 NR

NR=Not reported

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as “<X” are assumed to be 

non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
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1.8 Measured Concentrations in Ambient Air

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in ambient air, extracted from six sources, are summarized below 

and tabulated in Table S2-8. 

North America

Pellizzari et al. (1978) reported the presence of TBBPA in the particulate phase of air from samples 

collected between 1976 and 1977 in the vicinity of multiple organo-bromide production facilities in 

southern Arkansas. Concentrations of TBBPA in eight samples ranged from ND (<10) to 1,800 ng/m3. 

Alaee et al. (2003) investigated the occurrence of brominated flame retardants, including TBPPA, in 

archived air samples that had been collected from 1994 to 1995. Samples came from three Arctic air 

monitoring stations: Alert and Tagish, Canada, and Dunai Island, Russia. Four samples, each one a 

composite of four weekly filter samples, were analyzed from each monitoring station. TBBPA was not 

detected (< 0.00007 ng/m3) in samples from the Alert and Tagish monitoring stations. Only one sample 

was collected from Dunai (during the spring of 1994) had detectable levels of TBBPA (0.07 ng/m3 in the 

particulate phase).

Europe

In the Nordic environmental screening study by Schlabach et al. (2011), combined phase air samples 

were collected from rural and urban locations in Denmark and Sweden; particulate phase samples 

were collected from an urban location in Oslo, Norway. Indoor air samples were also collected near the 

Oslo, Norway location (see Supplemental File 3: Residential Monitoring). Samples were collected in 

2009 and 2010 In Sweden and Norway, samples were collected in 2009 and 2010. The sampling dates 

were not reported for Denmark. TBBPA was detected in two samples from Oslo at concentrations of 

0.050 ng/m3 and 0.284 ng/m3. TBBPA concentrations at other sites were below detection limits 

(<0.0002-<0.001 ng/m3).

Investigators collected five air samples in the West Midlands conurbation, a large urban and 

industrially developed area in the United Kingdom that includes the city of Birmingham. Sampling took 

place between February and December 2007 using low volume active air samples. TBBPA 

concentrations ranged from 0.0007 to 0.0009 ng/m3 (0.0008 ± 0.0001 ng/m3 mean; 0.0007 ng/m3

median) in the particulate phase (Abdallah et al., 2008). 

As part of an analytical method development study for determination of TBBPA following 

derivatization with silylation reagents, Xie et al. (2007) measured TBBPA concentrations in air samples 

collected over rural land (GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht , Northern Germany) and coastal regions 

of the Wadden Sea and the Northeast Atlantic from 2004 to 2006. TBBPA concentrations in the vapor 

phase ranged from ND (<0.00004) to 0.00025 ng/m3 at the GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht location 

and from 0.00021 to 0.00050 ng/m3 for samples collected over the Wadden Sea. Particulate phase 

concentrations ranged from 0.00016 to 0.00085 ng/m3 at the GKSS Research Centre Geesthacht 

location and from 0.00010 to 0.00019 ng/m3 for samples collected over the Wadden Sea. 

Concentrations of TBBPA were below the detection limit in all but two samples (vapor phase 

concentrations of 0.00005 and 0.00017 ng/m3) collected off the Northeast Atlantic. 
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Asia

In a 2004 environmental survey conducted by the Environmental Agency of Japan, air samples (phase 

not reported) were collected in two areas of Japan and analyzed for TBBPA (MOE, 2014). TBBPA was 

not detected in any of the samples (<0.03 ng/m3). 
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Table S2-8. Measured Concentrations in Ambient Air

Location Site Phase Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (ng/m3) Reference (Reliability Rating d)

Range b Central Tendency c

North America

United States; El 

Dorado, AR

Vicinity of multiple 

organo-bromide 

production facilities

Particulate 1976-1977 8 (4) <10 – 1,800 NR Pellizzari et al. (1978) (2)

Canada and Russia Remote Artic 

monitoring stations: 

Alert, Tagish, and 

Dunai Island

Particulate 1994-1995 12 (11) < 0.00007-0.07 NR Alaee et al. (2003) (4)

Europe

Denmark; Lille 

Valby and 

Copenhagen

Rural and urban 

locations

Combined Phase NR 2 (2) All <0.001 -- Schlabach et al. (2011) (4)

Norway; Oslo Urban location Particulate 2009-2010 3 (1) <0.001-0.284 NR

Sweden; Rao and 

Stockholm

Rural and urban 

locations

Combined Phase 2009-2010 4 (4) <0.0002-<0.0005 --

United Kingdom; 

West Midlands 

conurbation

Large urban and 

industrially developed 

area

Particulate 2007 5 (0) 0.0007-0.0009 0.0008±0.0001 

mean; 

0.0007 median

Abdallah et al. (2008) (1)

Germany, northern Rural area Vapor

Particulate

2004-2006 7 (1)

7 (0)

<0.00004-0.00025

0.00016-0.00085

NR

NR

Xie et al. (2007) (2)

Wadden Sea Coastal region Vapor

Particulate

2004-2006 2 (0)

2 (0)

0.00021-0.00050

0.00010-0.00019

NR

NR

Northeast Atlantic 

(North Sea to the 

Artic)

Coastal region Vapor

Particulate

2004-2006 7 (5)

6 (6)

<0.00004-0.00017

All <0.00004

NR

--

Asia

Japan; 2 sites Not reported NR 2004 6 (6) All <0.03 -- MOE (2014) (4)

NR=Not reported

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as “<X” are assumed to be 

non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
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1.9 Measured Concentrations in Precipitation

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in precipitation were only investigated in one study, as

summarized below and tabulated in Table S2-9. 

Europe

In a study initiated by Greenpeace (Peters, 2003) to investigate the presence of hazardous chemicals in 

precipitation, precipitation samples were collected from the Netherlands (n=47), Belgium (n=1), and 

Germany (n=2) during a 4-week period starting in February or March (year not reported). The samples 

were gathered using open samplers, thus it was not possible to differentiate between wet and dry 

deposition. TBBPA was detected in 8 of 50 samples, at levels of <MDL (<0.0005 μg/L) to 0.0026 μg/L. 

The authors noted that samples were collected in the winter when passive venting from homes and 

factories is low, which could result in lower TBBPA emissions than during other seasons.
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Table S2-9. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Precipitation

Location Year N (# ND) a TBBPA Concentration (μg/L) Comments Reference

(Reliability Rating d Range ) b Central Tendency c

Europe

The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany NR 50 (42) <0.0005-0.0026 NR Wet and dry deposition Peters (2003) (2)

NR = Not reported

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as < “X” value are assumed 

to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.
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1.10 Measured Concentrations in Wildlife Biota

Measured concentrations of TBBPA in wildlife biota (marine mammals, invertebrate, fish, and 

vegetation) are summarized below and tabulated in Table S2-10. The data were extracted from

thirteen sources. 

Marine Mammals

Johnson-Restrepo et al. (2008) reported the presence of TBBPA in the tissues of higher trophic level 

aquatic organisms collected from coastal waters of Florida between 1991 and 2004, as well as in 

humans (see Supplemental File 1: TBBPA Human Biomonitoring Data). TBBPA was present in all aquatic 

organism samples analyzed (n=31). Concentrations ranged from 0.056 to 8.48 μg/kg lw (1.2 ± 3 μg/kg 

lw mean) in blubber of bottlenose dolphins, from 0.035 μg/kg to 35.6 μg/kg lw (9.5 ± 12 μg/kg lw

mean) in muscle of bull sharks, and from 0.495 to 1.43 μg/kg lw (0.872 ± 0.5 μg/kg lw mean) in the 

muscle of Atlantic sharpnose sharks.

Concentrations of TBBPA were also measured in stranded or by-caught harbor porpoise. Morris et al. 

(2004) reported TBBPA concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 418 μg/kg lw (83 ± 187 μg/kg lw mean) in 

the blubber (n=5) of harbor porpoise from UK rivers. However, TBBPA was not detected in the blubber 

(n=4; <12 μg/kg lw) or liver (n=1; <18 μg/kg lw) of harbor porpoise samples originating from the

southern North Sea. Samples from UK rivers were obtained in 1998. North Sea samples were acquired 

from the Museum of Natural History in the Netherlands (year not reported). Law et al. (2006) also 

analyzed blubber samples from harbor porpoise. In samples originating from the UK coast between 

1994 and 2003, TBBPA concentrations ranged from <4 to 35 μg/kg ww, with detection in 18 of 68 

samples.

Additionally, de Boer et al. (2002) and Morris et al. (2004) investigated the presence of TBBPA in 

stranded or by-caught harbor seal originating from the Western Wadden Sea. Samples were acquired 

from the Centre for Research and Technology in Büsum, Germany (year not reported). TBBPA was not 

detected in either blubber (n=2, <15 μg/kg lw) or liver (n=3, <67 to <231 μg/kg lw). 

Invertebrates

In the environmental survey conducted by the Nordic Council of Ministers (Schlabach et al., 2011), 

TBBPA was not detected in mussels (n=3; <0.03 μg/kg lw) collected in 2009 from Iceland and Norway. 

In Japan, TBBPA measurements in 2007 in mussels collected from seven areas with different levels of 

pollution showed TBBPA levels of <0.06 to 0.09 μg/kg ww (n=31), with detection in 2 samples (MOE, 

2014).

Driffield et al. (2008) analyzed shellfish (oyster, mussel, and scallop) samples from Scotland for 

brominated flame retardants, including TBBPA, using a LC-MS/MS method developed and validated inhouse. The samples were collected between January and March, 2006 during a pre-spawning period. 

Samples were homogenized and pooled, yielding a total of 5 composite oyster samples, 10 composite 

mussel samples, and 20 composite scallop samples, which were further divided into gonad and 

adductor subsamples. TBBPA was not detected in any of the shellfish samples, with LODs ranging from 
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Page 32 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

0.010 to 0.35 μg/kg whole. The authors also present analytical results for food samples collected 

throughout the UK as part of the 2004 UK Total Diet Study (TDS) (see Supplemental File 1: TBBPA 

Human Biomonitoring Data).

de Boer et al. (2002) analyzed a variety of aquatic invertebrate species around Europe between 1999 

and 2001. In the North Sea, TBBPA levels were 5 to 96 μg/kg lw (45 ± 46 μg/kg lw mean) in whole 

whelk (n=3), <1 to 10 μg/kg lw (4 ± 5 μg/kg lw mean) in digestive tract of sea star (n=3) and <1 to 35 

μg/kg lw (11 ± 15 μg/kg lw mean) in the abdomen of the hermit crabs (n=9). In the United Kingdom, 

TBBPA was also present in one sea star collected in 2001 from mouth of the Tees Estuary at 205 μg/kg 

lw and in one starfish sample collected in 1999 in from the Tees River at 4.5 μg/kg ww. TBBPA was not 

detected (<0.4 μg/kg lw) in one mysid shrimp sample collected from the Western Scheldt in the 

Netherlands. 

Fish

In the environmental survey conducted by the Nordic Council of Ministers (Schlabach et al., 2011), 

TBBPA was not detected in fish muscle (n=9; <0.03 μg/kg fresh weight) or fish liver (n=5; <0.4 μg/kg 

fresh weight) collected in 2009 from the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Samples 

were collected from a variety of locations, including marine environment, receiving waters to a WWTP 

and an urban lake.

Harrad et al. (2009) measured TBBPA concentrations in fish muscle collected in the summer of 2008 

from seven lakes in England with no known major point source inputs, as well as in water and sediment 

from the same lakes (see Tables S2-1 and S2-2). TBBPA concentrations ranged from <LOQ (<0.29) to 1.7 

μg/kg lw, with detection in four of thirty samples.

Russell et al. (2008) measured brominated flame retardant levels, including TBBPA, in the muscle and 

liver of three deep water fish species (roundnose grenadier, black scabbard, and black dogfish) 

collected in 2006 from the Rockall fishing area, to the west of Scotland. TBBPA was below the LOQ 

(<0.3 μg/kg ww) in all samples (n=2 muscle and n=3 liver).

In the Norwegian study conducted by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research in 2003, TBBPA was 

analyzed in various fish species (orfe, trout eel, cod) from the Drammens River and the 

Drammensfjordd, located in an industrialized area in the southeast of Norway (Schlabach et al., 2004). 

In fish muscle (n=3), TBBPA was below the detection limit (<5 to <300 μg/kg lw) in two samples and 

detected at 0.3 μg/kg lw in one sample. In cod fish liver (n=1), TBBPA was also below the detection 

limit (<9 μg/kg lw).

de Boer et al. (2002) analyzed a variety of fish species around Europe between 1999 and 2001. TBBPA 

levels were <0.3 to 1.8 μg/kg lw in cod liver (n=2) and <97 to 245 μg/kg lw in whiting muscle (n=3) from 

the North Sea, <4.8 to 3.3 μg/kg ww in whiting muscle (n=2) from the Tees River in England (mouth of 

Tees estuary), <0.2 μg/kg lw in hake liver (n=1) from the Atlantic Ocean (SW of Ireland), and <0.1 μg/kg 

lw in gudgeon (n=1) from the Western Scheldt in the Netherlands. In eel, TBBPA ranged from <0.1 to 

13 μg/kg lw (1.6 ± 3.2 μg/kg lw mean) in the Scheldt Basin of Belgium (n=18) and from <0.1 to 1.3

μg/kg lw (0.3 ± 0.5 μg/kg lw mean) in rivers of the Netherlands (n=11).
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Two Chinese studies measured TBBPA concentrations in fish. He et al. (2013) measured TBBPA 

concentrations in three fish species (mud carp, Nile tilapia, and plecostomus) collected in 2009 in the 

Dongjiang River, which runs through a highly industrialized area of southern China. TBBPA levels in 

water, sediments, sediment cores were also identified in this study (see Tables S2-1 and S2-2). 

Reported TBBPA concentrations in fish ranged from ND to 66 μg/kg lw, with detection in the majority 

of the samples (31 of 34 samples). Mean concentrations for the three species ranged from 18.1 to 35.2 

μg/kg lw; there were no significant differences in TBBPA level between the three fish species.

In the second Chinese study, Yang et al. (2012) investigated the tissue distribution of TBBPA in four fish 

species (Culter alburnus, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus and Silurus asotus) in Lake Chaohu, located 

adjacent to the most developed regions in eastern China, and assessed the seasonal variation of TBBPA 

in the lake water and sediment (see Tables S2-1 and S2-2). In various fish species collected in 2008

from up to 10 sites on the lake, mean TBBPA concentrations ranged from 28.5 to 39.4 μg/kg dw in 

whole samples, 75.2 to 126.4 μg/kg dw in kidney, 16.0 to 37.5 μg/kg dw in liver, 6.3 to 46 μg/kg dw in 

muscle, and 12 to 21.9 μg/kg dw in adipose tissue, and below the detection limit (<10 μg/kg dw) in gills

and spawns. 

In the environmental survey conducted across Japan by the Environment Agency of Japan in 2007, 

TBBPA was detected in 73 of 80 fish samples from 16 sampling areas at concentrations ranging from 

<0.03 to 0.09 μg/kg ww. In 2003, TBBPA was detected in 10 of 70 samples (<0.03 – 0.15 μg/kg ww)

from 14 sampling areas (MOE, 2014). 

In the western Japanese environment, Ohta et al. (2004) investigated the levels of TBBPA and other 

brominated flame retardants in stock fish (Japanese sea bass) of the Osaka Bay and the mouth of the 

Yamato River which flows into the Osaka Bay. In samples collected between 1986 and 1999, TBBPA

ranged from 3.4 to 23 μg/kg lw (n=14) in the edible filet tissue portion. Ohta et al. (2004) noted that 

accumulation levels of TBBPA in Japanese sea-bass were relatively low and unrelated to the increase in 

TBBPA demand and use in Japan.

Avian

TBBPA was measured in avian matrices collected in Nordic areas, the Netherlands, England, and Japan. 

As reported by Morris et al. (2004), TBBPA was detected in liver samples of cormorant collected in 

England between 1999 and 2000 at 2.5 to 14 μg/kg lw (7.1 ± 4.5 μg/kg lw mean). Results in wet weight 

units are reported in de Boer et al. (2002). TBBPA was not detected in any egg samples, which included 

those collected from guillemot in 2009 from the Faroe Islands (n=2, <0.1 μg/kg fresh weight) and 

Sweden (n=2; <0.3 μg/kg fresh weight). These were considered to be background areas and reflect 

long-range transport of chemicals (Schlabach et al., 2011). TBBPA was also not detected in eggs from 

the common tern collected in 2001 from the Western Scheldt of the Netherlands (n=10, <2.9 μg/kg lw

and <0.3 μg/kg ww) (de Boer et al., 2002) and (Morris et al., 2004). In the environmental survey 

conducted in Japan in 2007, TBBPA was not detected (<0.06 μg/kg ww) in Gray starlings collected from 

two areas of Japan (n=10) (MOE, 2014).
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Vegetation

In the Schlabach et al. (2011) study, moss was collected in the vicinity of two incineration plants in the 

Faroe Islands in 2009. TBBPA was not detected in either sample (n=2, <0.5 μg/kg dw).
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Table S2-10. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N

(# ND) a

TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg lw, unless noted 

otherwise)

Reference (Reliability Rating a)

Range b Central Tendency c

Marine Mammal

Bottlenose 

dolphin

Blubber United States; FL 

coast

1991-1996 4 (0) 0.056-1.53 0.451 mean Johnson-Restrepo et al. (2008) (1)

2000-2001 5 (0) 0.1-8.48 1.86 mean

2001-2004 6 (0) 0.094-6.15 1.18 mean 

Overall 1991-

2004

15 (0) 0.056-8.48 1.2±3 mean

Bull shark Muscle United States; FL 

coast

1993-1994 6 (0) 4.17-8.07 5.17 mean Johnson-Restrepo et al. (2008) (1)

2002-2004 7 (0) 0.035-35.6 13.2 mean

Overall 1993-

2004

13 (0) 0.035-35.6 9.5±12 

Atlantic 

sharpnose shark

Muscle United States; FL 

coast

2004 3 (0) 0.495-1.43 0.872±0.5 mean Johnson-Restrepo et al. (2008) (1)

Harbor porpoise Blubber UK; various rivers 1998 5 (0) 0.1-418 

0.05-376 (wet)

83±187 mean

75.3±168 mean (wet)

de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. 

(2004) (2)

Blubber UK; coast 1994-2003 68 (50) <4-35 (wet) NR Law et al. (2006) (2)

Blubber North Sea NR 4 (4) All <11-<12 -- de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

Liver NR 1 (1) All <18 -- al. (2004) (2)

Harbor seal Blubber Western Wadden Sea NR 2 (2) All <14-<15 -- de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. 

(2004) (2)

Liver NR 3 (3) All <67 -<231 --

Aquatic Invertebrate

Mussel NR Iceland 2009 1(1) <0.03 -- Schlabach et al. (2011) (4)

NR Norway; Ase 2009 2(2) <0.03 --

Edible Parts Japan; 6 sites 2003 30 (18) <0.03-0.16 (wet) NR MOE (2014) (4)

Edible Parts Japan; 7 sites 2007 31 (29) <0.06-0.09 (wet) NR

Oyster Whole Scotland 2006 5 (5) All < 0.020-<0.050 

(whole)

-- Driffield et al. 

(2008) (2)

Mussel Whole 10 (10) All <0.010-<0.12 

(whole)

--

Scallop Gonad and 

Adductor

20 (20) All < 0.010-<0.35

(whole)

--

Whelk Whole North Sea 1999 3 (0) 5-96 45±46 mean de Boer et al. 

(2002) (4) and Morris et al. (2004) (2)

Mysid Shrimp NR The Netherlands; 

Western Scheldt

NR 1 (1) <0.4 

<0.1 (wet)

-- de Boer et al. (2002) (4)

Starfish Whole UK; Tees River 2001 1 (0) 4.5 (wet) --

Sea star Digestive tract North Sea 1999 3 (1) <1-10 4±5 mean de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 
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Table S2-10. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N

(# ND) a

TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg lw, unless noted 

otherwise)

Reference (Reliability Rating a)

Range b Central Tendency c

Whole UK; Tees estuary 2001 1 (0) 205 -- al. (2004) (2)

Hermit Crab Abdomen North Sea 1999 9 (4) <1-35 11±15 mean 

Fish

Various species Muscle Faroe Islands

(marine), Finland, 

Iceland, Norway 

(receiving water to 

WWTP), Sweden 

(urban lake)

2009 9 (9) All <0.03 (fresh) -- Schlabach et al. (2011) (4)

Liver NR 5 (5) All <0.4 (fresh) --

Various species

(nine species)

Muscle England; 7 lakes 2008 30 (26) <0.29-1.7 NR Harrad et al. (2009) (2)

Various species 

(roundnose 

grenadier, black 

scabbard, and 

black dogfish)

Muscle Scotland 2006 2 (2) All <0.3 (wet) -- Russell et al. (2008) (4)

Liver 3 (3) All <0.3 (wet) --

Various species 

(orfe, trout eel, 

cod)

Muscle Norway: Drammens 

River and the 

Drammensfjord

2003 3 (2) ND (<5-<300)-0.3 NR Schlabach et al. (2004) (4)

Liver 2003 1 (1) <9 NR

Eel Tissue Belgium; Scheldt 

Basin (rivers)

2000 18 (10) <0.1-13

<0.1-2.6 (wet)

1.6±3.2 mean de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. (2004) (2)

The Netherlands; 

various rivers

1999 11 (8) <0.1-1.3

<0.1-0.2 (wet)

0.3±0.5 mean de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. (2004) (2)

Cod Liver North Sea 1999 2 (1) <0.3-1.8 

<0.3-0.8 (wet)

NR de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. (2004) (2)

Whiting Muscle North Sea 1999 3 (1) <97-245 136±125 mean de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. (2004) (2)

UK; River Tees 

(mouth of Tees 

Estuary)

2001 2 (1) <4.8-3.3 (wet) NR de Boer et al. (2002) (4)

Hake Liver Atlantic Ocean, SW of 

Ireland

NR 1 (1) <0.2

<0.1 (wet)

-- de Boer et al. (2002) (4)

Gudgeon NR The Netherlands; 

Western Scheldt

NR 1 (1) <0.1 (wet and lipid) -- de Boer et al. (2002) (4)

Mud carp Muscle China, southern; 

Dongjiang River

2009 9 (0)e 6.5-66 35.2 mean He et al. (2013) (2)

Nile tilapia 15 (NR)e ND-51 18.1 mean

Plecostomus 10 (NR)e ND-53.4 21.2 mean
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Table S2-10. Measured Concentrations of TBBPA in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N

(# ND) a

TBBPA Concentration (μg/kg lw, unless noted 

otherwise)

Reference (Reliability Rating a)

Range b Central Tendency c

arious species 

(Culter alburnus, 

Cyprinus carpio, 

Carassius 

auratus, and 

Silurus asotus)

Whole China, eastern; Lake 

Chaohu

2008 10 sitesf 28.5-39.4 (dry) NR Yang et al. (2012) (2)

Kidney 10 sitesf 75.2-126.4 (dry) NR

Liver 10 sitesf 16.0-37.5 (dry) NR

Muscle 10 sitesf 6.3-46 (dry) NR

Adipose Tissue 10 sitesf 12-21.9 (dry) NR

Gills 10 sitesf All <10 (dry) --

Spawns 10 sitesf All <10 (dry) --

Various species Muscle Japan; 9 sites 2003 70 (60) <0.03-0.15

20 (wet)

NR MOE (2014) (4)

Muscle Japan; 16 sites 2007 80 (73) <0.06-0.09 (wet) NR

Sea Bass Muscle Japan; Osaka Bay and 

the mouth of the 

Yamato River

1986-1999 14 (0) 3.4-23 NR Ohta et al. (2004) (4)

Avian

Cormorant Liver England 1999-2000 5 (0) 2.5-14 

0.07-0.28 (wet)

7.1±4.5 mean

0.12 mean (wet)

de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al.

(2004) (2)

Black guillemot Eggs Faroe Islands; 

background area

2009 2 (2) All <0.1 (fresh) -- Schlabach et al. (2011)

Guillemot Eggs Sweden; background 

area

2009 2 (2) All <0.3 (fresh) --

Common tern Eggs The Netherlands; 

Western Scheldt

2001 10 (10) All <2.9 

All <0.3 (wet)

-- de Boer et al. (2002) (4) and Morris et 

al. (2004) (2)

Gray starling; 

gull

NR Japan; 2 sites 2003 10 (10) All <0.03 (wet) -- MOE (2014) (4)

NR Japan; 2 sites 2007 10 (10) All <0.06 (wet) --

Vegetation

Moss Uppermost part 

of the plant

(representing 2-3 

yrs of growth)

Faroe Islands (near 2 

incineration plants)

2009 2 (2) All <0.5 (dry) -- Schlabach et al. (2011)

NR = Not Reported

a N refers to the number of samples, unless otherwise noted. The number of non-detect values is reported in parenthesis. Values reported as “<X” are assumed to be non-detect. b The range is the minimum and maximum values reported. Non-detect values are shown as less than the detection limit. c The central tendency values shown are as reported in the reference. 

d Reliability rating: 1 = valid without restrictions; 2 = valid with restrictions; 4 = not assignable.

e Overall, TBBPA was not detected in 3 of the 34 samples. Detection frequency specifically for nile tilapia and plecostomus was not reported. f Number of samples not reported; however, samples were collected from up to 10 sites on the lake
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 38 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

2 TBBPA-bis(dibromopropyl ether)

Monitoring information on TBBPA-bis(dibromopropyl ether) is provided below. Note, that individual summaries of 

each study are not provided as they were for TBBPA. However, there is significant overlap in the studies that 

measured TBBPA and those that measured this cluster member.

2.1 Measurements in Environmental Media
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 39 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-11. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(dibromopropyl ether)

Environmental 

Medium/Area

Country Location 

details

Date Single Est @ Range 

(% ND)

Wt Type Detection 

Limit

N Units Reference

Soil

farms; 2 km from e-waste 

area

China Qingyuan 

suburb

2006 n.d. n.d. dry 1.5 4 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

farms; 10 km from 

industrial area

China Pearl River 

Delta 

2007 39

(mean)

17.3 – 60.4

(0%)

dry 1.5 4 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

6 sites; near BFR factory China Liuyang 2010 - < 25 – 85.3 dry 25 (DL)

60 (LOQ)

- μg/kg Qu et al. 

(2013)

Sediment

urban industrial area China Dongjiang 

River 

2002 - < 1.5 – 190 dry 1.5 4 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

urban industrial area China Dongjiang 

River 

2006 858

(mean)

1.48 – 2300 dry 1.5 4 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

6 sites; near effluent of 

BFR factory; surface

China Liuyang River 2010 2500

(unknown)

- dry 25 (DL)

60 (LOQ)

- μg/kg Qu et al.

(2013)

near metal recycler Norway Loselva River 2009 n.d. n.d. dry - 3 μg/kg Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

marine harbor at 3 

locations near WWTP

Norway Drammen 2009 n.d. 

(all 

locations)

n.d. dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

marine harbor at 3 

locations near WWTP

Norway Tromso 2009 n.d. 

(all 

locations)

n.d. dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

lake at 3 locations near 

WWTP

Norway Lake Mjosa 2009 n.d. 

(all 

locations)

n.d. dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

Sediment Germany - 2006 n.d. n.d. - 10 - μg/kg Koppen et 

al. (2006)

Sewage Sludge

2 major WWTPs China Pearl River 

Delta

2007 4527

(mean)

238 - 8946 dry 1.5 5 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

3 WWTPs Norway Drammen; 

Lillehammer; 

2009 n.d. n.d. dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et 

al. (2013)
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 40 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-11. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(dibromopropyl ether)

Environmental 

Medium/Area

Country Location 

details

Date Single Est @ Range 

(% ND)

Wt Type Detection 

Limit

N Units Reference

Tromso

Germany - 2006 n.d. n.d. - 22 - μg/kg Koppen et 

al. (2006)

Waste Water

Water leachate from 

metal recycler

Norway Loselva River 2009 0.081

(mean)

- - - 3 μg/L Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

WWTP near possible BFR 

discharge

Norway Drammen 2009 n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

- - 3 

ea.

μg/L Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

WWTP near possible BFR 

discharge

Norway Lille-hammer 2009 n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

- 3 

ea.

μg/L Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

WWTP near possible BFR 

discharge

Norway Tromso 2009 0.018

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

(66%; 

influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

- 3 

ea.

μg/L Nyholm et 

al. (2013)

Ambient Air

30 m above ground; 

industrial area

China Guangzhou 

City 

2007 0.528

(mean)

0.131-1.24 - - ng/m3 Shi et al. 

(2009)

@type of value in parentheses

*May have been converted from the publication if it was only a simple mathematical conversion (e.g., ng/L => μg/L)

**Type of limit will be specified if known

- Information not available in publication

N.d. = not detected
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 41 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

2.2 Measurements in Wildlife

Table S2-12. TBBPA-bis(dibromopropyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue 

Type

Location Year N 

(% n.d.)

Concentration (μg/kg 

lipid weight, unless 

noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

Range Central 

Estimate

Mammals

Ringed seal Liver Norway; Svalbard 

Islands/remote area

2007 –

2009

10

(100%)

n.d. n.d. wet 0.0005 –

0.292

μg/kg Sagerup et 

al. (2010)

Arctic fox Liver Norway; Svalbard 

Islands/remote area

2007 –

2009

10

(100%)

n.d. n.d. wet 0.0005 –

0.292

μg/kg Sagerup et 

al. (2010)

Polar bear Plasma Norway; Svalbard 

Islands/remote area

2007 -

2009

10

(100%)

n.d. n.d. wet 0.0005 –

0.292

μg/kg Sagerup et 

al. (2010)

Fish and Shellfish

Capelin Whole 

fish

Norway; Svalbard 

Islands/remote area

2007 -

2009

10

(100%)

n.d. n.d. wet 0.0005 –

0.292

μg/kg Sagerup et 

al. (2010)

Common carp 

(farmed)

Muscle China; 

e-waste area near 

city of Qingyuan

Not 

known

1

(100%)

n.d. n.d. lipid 2.3 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

Liver 1

(100%)

Bighead carp 

(farmed)

Muscle China; e-waste area 

near Qingyuan (city)

Not 

known

2

(100%)

n.d. n.d. lipid 2.3 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

Liver 2

(100%)

Tilapia 

(farmed)

Muscle China; e-waste area 

near Qingyuan (city)

Not 

known

2

(100%)

n.d. n.d. lipid 2.3 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

Liver 2

(100%)

Mollusks Soft China; 9 sampling 2010 Unknown (9 < LOQ - 0.8 (d.l.) μg/kg Qu et al. 
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 42 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-12. TBBPA-bis(dibromopropyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue 

Type

Location Year N 

(% n.d.)

Concentration (μg/kg 

lipid weight, unless 

noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

(11 species) sites in Bohai Sea on 

urban coast

sampling 

sites)

50 (LOQ) (2013)

Birds

Common eider Liver Norway; Svalbard 

Islands/remote area

2007 -

2009

10 (100%) n.d. n.d. wet 0.0005 –

0.292

μg/kg Sagerup et 

al. (2010)

Black legged 

kittiwake

Liver Norway; Svalbard 

Islands/remote area

2007 -

2009

10 (100%) n.d. n.d. wet 0.0005 –

0.292

μg/kg Sagerup et 

al. (2010)

Weathercock Muscle China; e-waste area 

near Qingyuan (city)

Not 

known

3

(100%)

n.d. n.d. lipid 2.3 μg/kg Shi et al. 

(2009)

Liver 3

(100%)

Kidney 3

(100%)

@type of value in parens

*May have been converted from the publication if it was only a simple mathematical conversion (e.g., ng/L => μg/L)

**Type of limit will be specified if known

- Information not available in publication

N.d. = not detected
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 43 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

3 TBBPA-bis(allyl ether)

Monitoring information on TBBPA-bis(allyl ether) is provided below. Note that individual summaries of each study are not provided as they were for TBBPA. 

However, there is significant overlap in the studies that measured TBBPA and those that measured this cluster member.

Table S2-13. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(allyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location 

Details

Sample 

Date

Single

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

Soil

Surface; from 6 

agricultural sites; near 

BFR factory

China Liuyang River 

(nearby)

2010 - < 5 – 24.1 dry 5 - μg/kg Qu et al. 

(2013)

near BFR factory China Liuyang City 2009 - < d.l. – 41.7 dry 40 pg μg/kg Qu et al. 

(2011)

Sediment

Surface; 6 sites; near 

BFR factory discharge

China Liuyang River 2010 13 

(unknown)

- dry 5 (DL)

1.5 (LOQ) 

- μg/kg Qu et al. 

(2013)

near BFR factory China Liuyang City 2009 - 143.4 –

10183.4

dry 40 pg - μg/kg Qu et al. 

(2011)

Sediment recycler Norway Loselva River 2009 0.37

(unknown)

n.d. dry - - μg/kg Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

near municipal landfill Norway - 2009 2.4

(unknown)

- dry - - μg/kg Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

marine harbor; 3 

locations near WWTP

Norway Drammen 2009 0.81 +/- 0.47

(mean, sd at 

1 loc)

n.d. 

(2 loc’s)

- dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

marine harbor; 3 

locations near WWTP

Norway Tromso 2009 n.d. 

(all loc’s)

n.d. dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

Lake;

3 locations near WWTP

Norway Lake Mjosa 2009 n.d. 

(all loc’s)

n.d. dry - 3 

ea.

μg/kg Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

Sludge

3 WWTPs Norway Drammen; Lille- 2009 n.d. n.d. dry - 3 μg/kg Nyholm et al. 
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 44 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-13. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(allyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location 

Details

Sample 

Date

Single

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

hammer; Tromso ea. (2013)

From surface water near 

BFR factory

China Liuyang City 2009 - < d.l. –

0.049

- - - μg/L Qu et al. 

(2011)

Waste Water

Water leachate 

(seepage) from metal 

recycler

Norway - 2009 0.002

(unknown)

- - - 3 μg/L Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

Water leachate 

(seepage) from 

municipal landfill

Norway - 2009 n.d. - - - - μg/L Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

WWTP near possible 

BFR discharge

Norway Drammen 2009 n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

- - 3 

ea.

μg/L Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

WWTP near possible 

BFR discharge

Norway Lille-hammer 2009 n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

- - 3 

ea.

μg/L Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

WWTP near possible 

BFR discharge

Norway Tromso 2009 n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

n.d.

(influent)

n.d. 

(effluent)

- - 3 

ea.

μg/L Nyholm et al. 

(2013)

@type of value in parentheses

*May have been converted from the publication if it was only a simple mathematical conversion (e.g., ng/L => μg/L)

**Type of limit will be specified if known

- Information not available in publication

N.d. = not detected
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 45 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

3.1 Measurements in Wildlife Biota

Table S2-14. TBBPA-bis(allyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue 

Type

Location Year N 

(% n.d.)

Concentration (μg/kg 

lipid weight, unless 

noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

Range Central 

Estimate

Lake 

trout

Canada-United 

States; Lake Ontario

1997 –

2004

30

(83%)

n.d. – 1.7 - wet - μg/kg Ismail et al. 

(2006)

Mollusks 

(11 

species)

Soft China; 9 sampling 

sites in Bohai Sea on 

urban coast

2010 Unknown (9 

sampling 

sites)

< LOQ < LOQ - 0.13 (d.l.)

20 (LOQ)

μg/kg Qu et al. 

(2013)

@type of value in parens

*May have been converted from the publication if it was only a simple mathematical conversion (e.g., ng/L => μg/L)

**Type of limit will be specified if known

- Information not available in publication

N.d. = not detected
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 46 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

4 TBBPA-bis(methyl ether)

Monitoring information on TBBPA-bis(methyl ether) is provided below. Note, that individual summaries of each study are not provided as they were for TBBPA. 

However, there is significant overlap in the studies that measured TBBPA and those that measured this cluster member.

4.1 Measurements in Environmental Media

Table S2-15. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location Details Sample 

Date

Single 

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

Sediment

Sediment Japan Estuaries, not near 

Osaka

1981-

1983

n.d. n.d. dry - 7 μg/kg Watanabe et 

al. (1983b)

Sediment Japan Estuaries in Osaka 

Bay

1981 -

1983

n.d. n.d. dry - 6 μg/kg Watanabe et 

al. (1983b)

Sediment Japan Rivers near Osaka 1981 -

1983

- n.d. – 1.8 dry - 6 μg/kg Watanabe et 

al. (1983b)

Sediment Belgium Rivers in Scheldt 

Basin; reference sites

2001 < 0.1 wet - 3 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment Belgium Rivers in Scheldt 

Basin; other sites

2001 - < 0.1 – 0.3

(87.5% < 0.1)

wet - 16 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment Belgium Rivers in Scheldt 

Basin; reference sites

2001 - < 0.1 dry - 3 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment Belgium Rivers in Scheldt 

Basin; other sites

2001 - < 0.1 – 0.5

(87.5%

< 0.1)

dry - 16 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment Belgium Rivers in Scheldt 

Basin; reference sites

2001 - < 0.6 or 

< 0.8

TOC - 3 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment Belgium Rivers in Scheldt 

Basin; reference sites

2001 - n.d. - 13

(87.5% < d.l.)

n.d. range is < 

0.1 to

< 5.3

TOC - 16 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment Ireland Rivers Nore and 2002 - < 2.4 - < 2.4 dry - 4 μg/kg de Boer et al. 
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 47 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-15. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location Details Sample 

Date

Single 

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

Bregagh (2002)

Sediment United 

Kingdom

River Tees 2002 - < 2.4 - < 2.4 dry - 10 μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sediment The 

Netherlands

Estuary in Western 

Scheldt

2002 - < 0.1 - < 0.1 wet - 19 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sediment The 

Netherlands

Estuary in Western 

Scheldt

2002 - < 0.1 - < 0.1 dry - 19 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sediment The 

Netherlands

Estuary in Western 

Scheldt

2002 - < 0.4 - < 3.0 TOC - 19 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sediment The NetherlandsMultiple rivers 2002 - < 0.1 – 0.4

(44% < d.l.)

wet - 9 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sediment The NetherlandsMultiple rivers 2002 - < 0.1 – 0.6

(44% < d.l.)

dry - 9 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sediment The NetherlandsMultiple rivers 2002 - < 0.6 – 6.7

(44% < d.l.)

TOC - 9 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sediment (surficial) Sweden Upstream (2 km) 

from plastics 

industry using 

TBBPA

1995 36

(unknown)

- Ignition 

loss

1 μg/kg Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sediment (surficial) Sweden Upstream (2 km) 

from plastics 

industry using 

TBBPA

1995 24 

(unknown)

- dry 1 Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sediment (surficial) Sweden Down-stream (5 

km) from plastics 

industry using 

TBBPA

1995 2400

(unknown)

- Ignition 

loss

- 1 μg/kg Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sediment (surficial) Sweden Down-stream (5 

km) from plastics 

industry using 

TBBPA

1995 1500

(unknown)

- dry - 1 μg/kg Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sediment Norway Effluents from 

waste dumps

2002 < d.l. – 1.23 

(8% below 

dry - 12 μg/kg As cited in 

EC (2008)
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 48 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-15. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location Details Sample 

Date

Single 

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

detection)

Sediment Germany Multiple rivers 2001 - < 0.2 - < 0.2 - 0.2 19 μg/kg As cited in 

EC (2008)

Sludge

Sewage sludge United 

Kingdom

Burnham (city) 2002 - < 2.4 - < 2.4 dry 2.4 6 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sewage sludge Ireland Multiple cities 2002 - < 2.4 - < 2.4 dry 2.4 6 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sewage sludge The Netherlands2002 - < 0.1 – 5.5 dry 9 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sewage sludge The NetherlandsResidential sewer 2002 < 0.1 - dry 1 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sewage sludge The Netherlands2 landfills 2002 < 0.1 - dry 1 

ea.

μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Sewage sludge from 

sewage treatment plant

Sweden Plant gets leach 

water from landfill 

(plastics waste)

1995 < 3.7 - Ignition 

loss

- 1 μg/kg Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sewage sludge from 

sewage treatment plant

Sweden Plant gets leach 

water from landfill 

(plastics waste)

1995 < 1.9 - dry - 1 μg/kg Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sewage sludge from 

sewage treatment plant

Sweden Plant has no known 

TBBPA user waste

1995 < 3.7 - Ignition 

loss

- 1 μg/kg Sellstrom 

and Jansson 

(1995)

Sewage sludge 

(activated, primary or 

clarified/settled)

Germany From eight waste

water treatment 

plants

2001 < d.l. – 11

(42% 

nondetects)

dry 0.2 12 μg/kg As cited in 

EC (2008)

Waste Water and Leachate

Waste water (influent; 

dissolved phase)

United 

Kingdom

Five cities 2002 - < 0.015 –

< 0.015

- - 5 μg/L de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Waste water (influent; 

particulate phase)

United 

Kingdom

Five cities 2002 - < 3.9 –

< 3.9

- - 5 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Waste water (effluent; United Five cities 2002 - < 0.015 – - - 5 μg/L de Boer et 
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 49 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-15. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location Details Sample 

Date

Single 

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

dissolved phase) Kingdom < 0.015 al. (2002)

Waste water (effluent; 

particulate phase)

United 

Kingdom

Five cities 2002 - < 3.9 –

< 3.9

- - 5 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Leachate from landfill 

(dissolved phase)

United 

Kingdom

Three cities 2002 - < 0.015 –

< 0.015

- - 3 μg/L de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Leachate from landfill 

(particulate phase)

United 

Kingdom

Three cities 2002 - < 3.9 –

< 3.9

- - 3 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Leachate from landfill 

(dissolved phase)

Ireland Three landfills 2002 - < 0.015 –

< 0.015

- - 2 

ea.

μg/L de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Leachate from landfill 

(particulate phase)

Ireland Three landfills 2002 - < 3.9 –

< 3.9

- - 2 

ea.

μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Wastewater from 

sewage treatment 

plants (influent; 

particulate phase)

The NetherlandsVarious samples 2002 - < 0.8 - < 5.6 dry - 5 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Wastewater from 

sewage treatment 

plants (effluent; 

particulate phase)

The NetherlandsVarious samples 2002 - < 0.1 - 0.6

(40% not 

detected)

dry - 5 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Leachate from landfills 

(particulate phase)

The NetherlandsNine landfills 2002 - < 0.1 -

< 6.2

dry - 2 μg/kg de Boer et 

al. (2002)

Waste water

(influent; dissolved and 

particulate)

Germany BadenWürttemberg2001 - Not detected 0.0002

0.2

5 

ea.

μg/L

μg/kg

Ad cited in 

EC (2008)

Waste water

(effluent)

Germany 2001 - < 0.00033 –

0.00145

(74% not 

detected)

0.0002 19 μg/L As cited in 

EC (2008)
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 50 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-15. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether)

Env. Medium Country Location Details Sample 

Date

Single 

Est.@

Range

(% nondetects)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

N Units* Reference

Surface Water

Surface water Germany Upstream of 

WWTPs

2001 - < 0.00042 –

0.00086

(73% not 

detected)

- 0.0002 15 μg/L As cited in 

EC (2008)

Surface water Germany Down-stream of 

WWTPs

2001 - < d.l. –

0.00106

(93% not 

detected)

- 0.0002 15 μg/L As cited in 

EC (2008)

@type of value in parentheses; *May have been converted from the publication if it was only a simple mathematical conversion (e.g., ng/L => μg/L)

**Type of limit will be specified if known; - Information not available in publication; N.d. = not detected
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 51 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

4.2 Measurements in Wildlife

Table S2-16. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N 

(% 

n.d.)

Concentration

(μg/kg lipid weight, 

unless noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

Range Central 

Tendency

Mammals

Harbor 

porpoise

Liver North Sea 2002 1

(100%)

< 11 

(all)

- Lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Fat 4 

(75%)

< 4 -

223

Harbor seal Liver Western Wadden 

Sea

2002 3

(100%)

< 3 - < 

24

- lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Fat 2

(50%)

< 3 -153

Harbor 

porpoise

Fat United Kingdom 2002 5

(100%)

< 5 (all) - Wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Fish and Shellfish/Invertebrates

Whiting Muscle North Sea 1999 3

(100%)

< 9 - lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Cod Liver North Sea 2002 2 

(100%)

< 0.1 - wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Cod Liver North Sea 2002 2 

(100%)

< 0.2 - lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Whiting Muscle United Kingdom 2002 3 

(100%)

< 4.8 - wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 52 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-16. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N 

(% 

n.d.)

Concentration

(μg/kg lipid weight, 

unless noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

Range Central 

Tendency

Gudgeon - Netherlands; 

Western Scheldt

2002 1 

(100%)

< 0.1 - Wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

1 

(100%)

< 0.1 Lipid

Hake Liver Atlantic Ocean, 

near Ireland

2002 1 

(100%)

< 0.1 - wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Cod Liver Norway 2002 6 

(100%)

< 0.5 

(all)

- - 0.5 μg/kg As cited in EC 

(2008)

Yellow eel Tail end Belgium; Scheldt 

basin - reference 

sites

2000 3

(100%)

< 0.1 - wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Yellow eel Tail end Belgium; Scheldt 

basin - other sites

2000 15

(53%)

< 0.1 –

2.5

- wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Yellow eel Tail end Belgium; Scheldt 

basin - reference 

sites

2000 3

(100%)

< 0.1 - < 

0.2

- lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Yellow eel Tail end Belgium; Scheldt 

basin - other sites

2000 15

(47%)

< 0.1 –

12

- lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Eel - Netherlands; Waal 

River

2002 11 

(9%)

< 0.1-

1.3

- Wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

11 

(9%)

< 0.3 –

6.8

lipid
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 53 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-16. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N 

(% 

n.d.)

Concentration

(μg/kg lipid weight, 

unless noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

Range Central 

Tendency

Fish and 

shellfish

- Japan 1983 19 

(89%)

< d.l. –

4.6

- wet - μg/kg As cited in EC 

(2008)

Common 

whelk

Soft, whole North Sea 1999 3

(100%)

< 3 (all) - lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Sea star Digestive 

tract; pyloric 

caeca

North Sea 1999 3

(100%)

< 3 (all) - lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Hermit crab Digestive tract North See 1999 9

(100%)

< 3 (all) - lipid - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Starfish Whole United Kingdom 2002 1

(100%)

< 4.8 - wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Mysid 

shrimp

- Netherlands 2002 2 

(100%)

< 0.1 - < 

0.3

- wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Blue mussel - Norway 2002 6 

(100%)

< 0.1 

(all)

- - 0.1 μg/kg As cited in EC 

(2008)

Mussel - Japan 1983 1 (0%) 5 - wet - μg/kg As cited in 

Simonsen et al. 

(2000)
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 54 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

Table S2-16. Environmental Monitoring Data for TBBPA-bis(methyl ether) in Wildlife Biota

Species Tissue Type Location Year N 

(% 

n.d.)

Concentration

(μg/kg lipid weight, 

unless noted)

Wt.

type

Detect. 

limit**

Units* Reference

Range Central 

Tendency

Birds

Cormorant Liver United Kingdom 2002 5 

(100%)

< 5 - wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

Common 

tern

Eggs Netherlands; 

Western Scheldt

2002 10 

(60%)

< 0.2 –

0.8

- wet - μg/kg de Boer et al. 

(2002)

10 

(60%)

< 2 –

7.6

lipid

@type of value in parentheses

*May have been converted from the publication if it was only a simple mathematical conversion (e.g., ng/L => μg/L)

**Type of limit will be specified if known

- Information not available
Tetrabromobisphenol A Cluster

Page 55 of 59 Supplemental File 2: TBBPA Environmental Monitoring Data

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