A review on organophosphate flame retardants in the environment: Occurrence, accumulation, metabolism and toxicity

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 795; p. 148837
• Main Authors: Yao, Chi, Yang, Hanpei, Li, Ying
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-11-2021
• Subjects: Accumulation; Biotoxicity; Metabolism; Occurrence; Organophosphate flame retardants; Organophosphate flame retardants; Metabolism; Occurrence; Biotoxicity; Accumulation
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148837

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), as a substitute for brominated flame retardants (BFRs), are widely used in industrial production and life. The presence of OPFRs in the environment has an adverse effect on the ecological environment system. This review provides comprehensive data for the occurrence of OPFRs and their diester metabolites (OP diesters) in wastewater treatment plants, surface water, drinking water, sediment, soil, air and dust in the environment. In particular, the accumulation and metabolism of OPFRs in organisms and the types of metabolites and metabolic pathways are discussed for animals and plants. In addition, the toxicity of OP triesters and OP diesters in organisms is discussed. Although research on OPFRs has gradually increased in recent years, there are still many gaps to be filled, especially for metabolic and toxicity mechanisms that need in-depth study. This review also highlights the shortcomings of current research and provides suggestions for a basis for future research on OPFRs.
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•Summary of the concentrations of OPFRs in the environment.•The accumulation of OPFRs is structure-specific and species-specific.•The metabolites and metabolic pathways of OPFRs were discussed.•Diesters and triesters may have different toxic effects on the organism.•The toxicity of OPFRs varies in different developmental stages of organism.