Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-10-2020
Publication Title
Current Epidemiology Reports
Volume
7
First page number:
220
Last page number:
236
Abstract
Purpose of Review: Flame retardant (FR) compounds can adversely impact neurodevelopment. This updated literature review summarizes epidemiological studies of FRs and neurotoxicity published since 2015, covering historical (polybrominated biphenyls [PBBs], polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]), contemporary (polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs], hexabromocyclododecane [HBCD], and tetrabromobisphenol A [TBBPA]), and current-use organophosphate FRs (OPFRs) and brominated FRs (2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobezoate [EH-TBB] TBB), bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate [BEH-TEBP]), focusing on prenatal and postnatal periods of exposure. Recent Findings: Continuing studies on PCBs still reveal adverse associations with child cognition and behavior. Recent studies indicate PBDEs are neurotoxic, particularly for gestational exposures with decreased cognition and increased externalizing behaviors. Findings were suggestive for PBDEs and other behavioral domains and neuroimaging. OPFR studies provide suggestive evidence of reduced cognition and more behavioral problems in children. Summary: Despite a lack of studies of PBBs, TBBPA, EH-TBB, and BEH-TEBP, and only two studies of HBCD, recent literature of PCBs, PBDEs, and OPFRs are suggestive of developmental neurotoxicity, calling for more studies of OPFRs.
Keywords
Flame retardants; Developmental neurotoxicity; Children; Cognition; Behavior; Epidemiology
Disciplines
Developmental Biology | Epidemiology
File Format
File Size
589 KB
Language
English
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Repository Citation
Vuong, A. M.,
Yolton, K.,
Cecil, K. M.,
Braun, J. M.,
Lanphear, B. P.,
Chen, A.
(2020).
Flame Retardants and Neurodevelopment: an Updated Review of Epidemiological Literature.
Current Epidemiology Reports, 7
220-236.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s40471-020-00256-z