The semi-enclosed and brackish Baltic Sea has become heavily polluted by nutrients, anthropogenic organic and inorganic chemicals via human activities. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been thoroughly investigated due to their linkage to toxic effects observed in Baltic biota. There has been far less focus on semi-persistent pollutants e.g. naturally produced oraganohalogen compounds (NOCs) and their disturbances in the environment. This thesis is aimed on assessment of levels and trends of naturally produced brominated compounds in Baltic biota; more specifically on hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs), methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) and polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs). These, NOCs, may originate from production in algae and cyanobacteria. OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs may also be formed as metabolites of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), i.e. well-known commercial flame retardants. High levels of OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and PBDDs are shown within Baltic biota (cyanobacteria, algae, mussels, fish), often in much higher concentrations than PBDEs which are possible anthropogenic precursors of OH- and MeO-PBDEs. The levels of OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and PBDDs are higher in the Baltic Sea than on the west coast of Sweden. Temporal and seasonal variations show fluctuations in concentrations of OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and PBDDs, possibly related with macroalgal life-cycles. OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and PBDDs are present in several filamentous macroalgae species, but considering the levels quantified, the time of peak exposure and the species life-cycle the macroalgae, Pilayella, Ceramium and Cladophora are suggested as major natural producers of OH-PBDEs and PBDDs. The high levels of OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and PBDDs in the Baltic Sea may affect numerous organisms in the ecosystem. The toxic effects of OH-PBDEs and PBDDs are of particular concern. This thesis stress the importance of assessing and monitoring these substances, since the exposure to OH-PBDEs and PBDDs, during summer, may cause acute effects in Baltic fish and wildlife. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: In press. Paper 4: Manuscript.

A região do complexo estuarino-lagunar de Cananéia-Iguape, situada no litoral sul do estado de São Paulo, é uma área de grande interesse científico. Entre um dos mamíferos marinhos existente nessa região está a Pontoporia blainvillei, a qual teve a sua gordura subcutânea (blubber) analisada para quantificação de POPs. Os valores de concentração média obtida para as 48 amostras analisadas foram, em ordem decrescente: PCBs (1532 ng g-1); DDTs (537 ng g-1); Clordanas (64,0 ng g-1); PBDEs (38,4 ng g-1); Mirex (30,7 ng g-1); Drins (25,2 ng g-1); HCB (9,51 ng g-1); HCHs (7,59 ng g-1) e Endosulfan (6,22 ng g-1). A razão DDT/PCB encontrada foi de 0,35. As concentrações dos POPs entre machos maduros e machos imaturos apresentaram diferenças significativas (com exceção do HCH), sendo os valores encontrados para os machos maduros maiores que os valores obtidos para os machos imaturos; entre os machos maduros e fêmeas imaturas, os grupos de dados foram iguais significativamente (exceção para o DDT e mirex); entre os machos imaturos e fêmeas imaturas, os grupos de dados apresentaram igualdade significativa para todos os POPs. Foi encontrada correlação entre os POPs e a idade dos indivíduos estudados, bem como correlação forte entre PCB x PBDE, PCB x DDT e PBDE x DDT. / Forty eight samples of subcutaneous fat (blubber) of Pontoporia blainvillei were analyzed for the quantitation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). This marine mammal lives in the estuarine complex of Cananéia-Iguape, São Paulo-BR. The average concentration values of POPs was: PCBs (1532 ng g-1); DDTs (537 ng g-1); Chlordanes (64.0 ng g-1); PBDEs (38.4 ng g-1); Mirex (30.7 ng g-1); Drins (25.2 ng g-1); HCB (9.51 ng g-1); HCHs (7.59 ng g-1) e Endosulfan (6.22 ng g-1). Adult male were those with the highest concentrations of POPs. The DDT/PCBs ratio was equal to 0.35, showing an increase in concentration of PCBs in this area (compared with earlier studies). The concentrations of POPs were different (except for HCH) for mature males and immature males. Between males mature and immature females, the data were significantly (except for DDT and mirex) equal. Between immature males and immature females, data groups were significantly equal for all POPs. Moderate correlation was found between POPs and age, as well as strong correlation between PCB x PBDE, PCB x DDT and PBDE x DDT.

<p>The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic are part of the sub-Arctic region, a remote region far from industrial activity. In spite of this remoteness, the Islands are not a sanctuary: exposures and effects of environmental pollutants mar its natural beauty and wildlife. In the Arctic regions, fish, sea mammals and seabirds have shown to contain elevated levels of the classical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as more recent POPs such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Human populations living in the Arctic regions are usually highly dependent on seafood and seabirds as food sources, and diet becomes their major source of exposures to POPs. As reported in the 1980’s, residents of the Faroe Islands were shown to have high concentrations of organohalogen substances (OHS) in their breast milk. Long-finned pilot whales (<i>Globicephala melas</i>) blubber and meat have been shown to be a major source of OHS exposure for some of the Faroe Islanders.</p><p>The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the sources and concentrations of some POPs and their metabolites for the Faroese population. First, human milk and serum from pregnant women (mothers) and children were analyzed for PBDEs, PCBs, and polychlorinated biphenylols (OH-PCB), the major PCB metabolites. Second, POPs were measured in seabirds, i.e. PCBs in fulmars (<i>Fulmarus glacialis</i>) and guillemots (<i>Uria algae</i>), and PBDEs in fulmars to search for other potential sources of POPs exposure.</p><p>The results reinforce previous findings that part of the Faroe Island population is highly exposed to OHS. Median concentrations (430 ng/g lipid weight (l.w.) of CB-153) in maternal serum (1994-95) are among the highest in the world. Serum concentrations of CB-153 in children (age 7, samples collected in the early 2000’s) were approximately 90% of those in the mothers, sampled 1994-95. Similarly high CB-153 concentrations (380 ng/g l.w.) were measured in samples of mother’s milk, collected in 1999. The OH-PCB concentrations were also high in segments of the population, with 2.9 ng/g fresh weight as the sum of five OH-PCBs. Except for 4-OH-CB107, concentrations of OH-PCBs were generally lower in children than in mothers.</p><p>The ΣPBDE median concentrations in maternal serum and human milk (1999) are at the higher end of those reported in Europe, with levels of 9.5 and 8.2 ng/g l.w. respectively. ΣPBDE levels increase in human milk samples collected at three different time points (1987-1999), mainly due to increasing BDE-153 concentrations. The range of serum ΣPBDE concentrations in mothers and children are similar, although the congener patterns show differences. BDE-47 is the dominant congener in maternal serum, while BDE-153 is the major congener in children. The differences seen in PBDE congener patterns may arise differences in dates of sampling (7 years) for the two populations, maternal serum sampled in 1994-95 and children serum sampled in 2000-01, rather than from differences in uptake/metabolism or in contemporary exposures.</p><p>PCB concentrations in fulmars and pilot whales show similar ranges. In contrast, PBDE concentrations are 100 times higher in pilot whales than in fulmars. Consequently, Faroese may be especially exposed to PCBs via consumption of fulmars and fulmar eggs, while the exposure to PBDEs is less pronounced.</p><p>Results from this thesis highlight the pronounced exposures to PCBs, OH-PCBs, and PBDEs among residents of the Faroe Islands, a remote region in the Northern Atlantic far away from industrial and urban sources of pollution.</p>

The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic are part of the sub-Arctic region, a remote region far from industrial activity. In spite of this remoteness, the Islands are not a sanctuary: exposures and effects of environmental pollutants mar its natural beauty and wildlife. In the Arctic regions, fish, sea mammals and seabirds have shown to contain elevated levels of the classical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as more recent POPs such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Human populations living in the Arctic regions are usually highly dependent on seafood and seabirds as food sources, and diet becomes their major source of exposures to POPs. As reported in the 1980’s, residents of the Faroe Islands were shown to have high concentrations of organohalogen substances (OHS) in their breast milk. Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) blubber and meat have been shown to be a major source of OHS exposure for some of the Faroe Islanders. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the sources and concentrations of some POPs and their metabolites for the Faroese population. First, human milk and serum from pregnant women (mothers) and children were analyzed for PBDEs, PCBs, and polychlorinated biphenylols (OH-PCB), the major PCB metabolites. Second, POPs were measured in seabirds, i.e. PCBs in fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and guillemots (Uria algae), and PBDEs in fulmars to search for other potential sources of POPs exposure. The results reinforce previous findings that part of the Faroe Island population is highly exposed to OHS. Median concentrations (430 ng/g lipid weight (l.w.) of CB-153) in maternal serum (1994-95) are among the highest in the world. Serum concentrations of CB-153 in children (age 7, samples collected in the early 2000’s) were approximately 90% of those in the mothers, sampled 1994-95. Similarly high CB-153 concentrations (380 ng/g l.w.) were measured in samples of mother’s milk, collected in 1999. The OH-PCB concentrations were also high in segments of the population, with 2.9 ng/g fresh weight as the sum of five OH-PCBs. Except for 4-OH-CB107, concentrations of OH-PCBs were generally lower in children than in mothers. The ΣPBDE median concentrations in maternal serum and human milk (1999) are at the higher end of those reported in Europe, with levels of 9.5 and 8.2 ng/g l.w. respectively. ΣPBDE levels increase in human milk samples collected at three different time points (1987-1999), mainly due to increasing BDE-153 concentrations. The range of serum ΣPBDE concentrations in mothers and children are similar, although the congener patterns show differences. BDE-47 is the dominant congener in maternal serum, while BDE-153 is the major congener in children. The differences seen in PBDE congener patterns may arise differences in dates of sampling (7 years) for the two populations, maternal serum sampled in 1994-95 and children serum sampled in 2000-01, rather than from differences in uptake/metabolism or in contemporary exposures. PCB concentrations in fulmars and pilot whales show similar ranges. In contrast, PBDE concentrations are 100 times higher in pilot whales than in fulmars. Consequently, Faroese may be especially exposed to PCBs via consumption of fulmars and fulmar eggs, while the exposure to PBDEs is less pronounced. Results from this thesis highlight the pronounced exposures to PCBs, OH-PCBs, and PBDEs among residents of the Faroe Islands, a remote region in the Northern Atlantic far away from industrial and urban sources of pollution.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are anthropogenic chemicals whose environmental behavior is similar to the well-known polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Few studies have quantified the amount and distribution of PBDEs in the southern hemisphere and Antarctica. The analyses reported in this dissertation document the levels of PBDEs in lichens, mosses and seabird eggs collected at King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. The analyses were carried out using Gas Chromatography/Electron Impact-Mass Spectrometry (GC/EI-MS). Employing the ion stacking technique lowered detection limits and ensured instrument selectivity and sensitivity to the compounds of interest. Lichens and mosses absorb PBDEs directly from the atmosphere and their contamination indicates that long-range transport is the primary source of these chemicals to King George Island. The congener patterns of PBDEs in plants indicate that commercial mixtures of Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE have reached Antarctica. Differences in the levels of PBDEs observed in lichens and mosses are probably due to factors that govern the uptake of PBDEs from the atmosphere. Contamination in lichens showed a positive correlation with local precipitation. Conversely, absorption of PBDEs in mosses appears to be controlled by other plant-specific factors. Marine phytoplankton-derived aerosols are hypothesized to play an important role in the atmospheric transport of PBDEs to the Antarctic environment. PBDEs in south polar skua eggs revealed much higher concentration than in penguin eggs. This is likely associated with the northward migration of these seabirds during the non-breeding season. While penguins reside year-round in Antarctica, south polar skuas migrate northward and can be seen in boreal oceans during the austral winter. Distribution of PBDEs in penguin eggs matches the pattern found in local vegetation suggesting a common source for the chemicals. In contrast, the congener pattern of south polar skuas suggests that birds breeding at King George Island are wintering in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. A potential metabolism of PBDEs in penguin eggs during the incubation period seems to be limited. Most congeners were unaltered from source material in the eggs of chinstrap and gentoo penguins. Low levels of PBDEs, short incubation periods and energy constraints may explain these observations.

Ecological impacts of natural estrogens and xenoestrogens in treated wastewater include altered sexual development and sex ratios among continuously exposed organisms. The primary sources of estrogenic activity in wastewater are natural estrogens such as estrone, 17β-estradiol and estriol and synthetic compounds like 17α- ethinylestradiol, alkylphenols and alklphenol ethoxylates. Precursors in raw wastewater can yield estrogenic intermediates during wastewater treatment. All these compounds can be destroyed by biochemical processes conventional wastewater treatment processes, suggesting that conventional processes can be optimized for removal of estrogenic activity from wastewater. Sorption to sludges derived from wastewater treatment affects the fates of hydrophobic xenoestrogens such as nonylphenol, in part because the biodegradability of sorbed contaminants is limited. It may also be possible to tailor sludge stabilization processes to remove trace contaminants, including estrogens. For example, there are significant differences in the efficiencies of aerobic and anaerobic digestion for destruction of alkylphenols and probably other estrogenic compounds with aromatic moieties. Because advanced wastewater treatment is not economically feasible for most communities, there is ample incentive to develop accurate relationships between operational parameters and removal of estrogenic compounds during secondary wastewater treatment. Large quantities of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used as flame retardants in clothing and plastic products since the 1970s. A small fraction of the PBDEs in manufactured products subsequently enters municipal wastewater. The resistance of these compounds to chemical and biochemical transformations provides opportunities for accumulation in sediments. Balances developed for PBDE congeners indicate that conventional wastewater treatment processes and soil infiltration of treated wastewater in recharge operations do not discriminate significantly among the major congeners in commercially available PBDE products. Accumulation of PBDEs at near part-per-million levels was measured in the sediments at the Sweetwater Recharge Facility in Tucson, Arizona, during 10-15 years of operation. Half times for loss of major PBDE congeners from sediments were decades or longer. Local agricultural soils amended with biosolids over a 20-year period showed similar accumulation of PBDEs. The widespread use of PBDEs in commercial products, compound persistence and toxicity indicate that additional effort is warranted to better understand fate-determining processes for PBDEs in the environment.

L'effet des contaminants environnementaux sur la grossesse, en particulier sur le développement du foetus, est l'un des sujets les plus « chauds » de la santé publique. Le potentiel des contaminants environnementaux (incluant les biphényles polychlorés (BPC), le plomb (Pb), le mercure (Hg), le cadmium (Cd) et le manganèse (Mn)) pour induire un retard de croissance du foetus à la suite d'une exposition in utero a été suggéré par plusieurs études épidémiologiques. Cependant, les effets des polluants émergents, tels que les retardateurs de flamme comme les polybromodiphényles éther (PBDE), sur la croissance foetale demeurent flous. Le poids à la naissance est influencé par une multitude de facteurs, y compris le tabagisme maternel, la masse corporelle de la mère, les complications de la grossesse ou la présence d’infections. La majorité des études épidémiologiques ne considère pas tous ces facteurs de risque de faible poids de naissance et analyse les contaminants de l'environnement, un par un. Objectifs : Déterminer la relation entre l'exposition environnementale aux PBDE, aux BPC et aux métaux (Pb, Hg, Cd, Mn) chez les femmes enceintes et le poids à la naissance, en considérant les facteurs de risques de petit poids de naissance confirmé par des évidences scientifiques. Méthodes : Cette étude est effectuée à l'aide de notre cohorte prospective de femmes enceintes, la cohorte GESTE, dans laquelle ont été recrutées 397 femmes enceintes à <20 semaines de grossesse, à leur première visite au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS), Québec, Canada, entre 2007 et 2009. Lors de cette visite, le sang maternel a été recueilli pour l’analyse des PBDE, des BPC et des métaux. Les informations sociodémographiques ont été recueillies à l'aide de questionnaires lors d’entrevues avec les membres de l’équipe. Toutes les données sur la santé maternelle et les antécédents obstétricaux, les médicaments et l’accouchement ont été obtenues à partir des dossiers médicaux. Résultats : Les concentrations de métaux et de BPC chez les femmes enceintes dans notre étude étaient très faibles, alors que les concentrations de PBDE sont similaires à ceux répertorié dans les populations américaines, mais plus élevé qu'en Europe. Il n'y avait pas de corrélation significative entre la coexposition aux contaminants en début de grossesse et le poids de naissance après avoir pris en compte les facteurs de risque majeurs pour la restriction de croissance foetale. Conclusion Les résultats ne supportent pas l’idée de l'effet néfaste d'une exposition aux PBDE, aux BPC, au plomb, au mercure, au cadmium et au manganèse en début de grossesse sur le paramètre principal de la croissance foetale, le poids de naissance.

Ce travail a eu pour objectif l’étude de la dégradation hétérogène d’hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP) et de polybromo diphényles éthers (PBDE) en présence d’oxydants atmosphériques. La réactivité du benzo[a]pyrène et du dibenzo[a,l]pyrène pour les HAP et du BDE 153 (hexabromé) et du BDE 209 (décabromé) pour les PBDE, a été étudiée lorsqu’ils sont adsorbés sur des particules minérales modèles (des particules de silice) et exposés à l’ozone, au dioxyde d’azote ou aux radicaux hydroxyles. L’extraction et l’analyse de ces composés ont été optimisées. Le suivi de l’évolution de la concentration en composé adsorbé en fonction de son temps d’exposition à l’oxydant a permis de déterminer les paramètres cinétiques de chaque composé, pour chaque oxydant. L’influence de la concentration particulaire et de la structure moléculaire sur la réactivité a ainsi été évaluée et débattue. L’identification des produits de réactions majoritaires a été effectuée pour les réactions des HAP avec le dioxyde d’azote et les radicaux hydroxyles et les réactions des PBDE avec les radicaux hydroxyles. Enfin, l’étude de la génotoxicité des extraits de particules pour différents temps d’exposition aux oxydants a été réalisée. Cette étude regroupe une approche cinétique, une approche mécanistique et une approche toxicologique. / This work deals with the heterogeneous degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polybromo diphenyls ethers (PBDE) with various atmospheric oxidants. The reactivity of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene (DalP) for PAH and BDE 153 and BDE 209 for PBDE, had been studied when they are adsorbed on a model of mineral particles (silica particles) and exposed to ozone, nitrogen dioxide and hydroxyl radical. Extraction and analyse of compounds were optimised. For all studied reactions, kinetic parameters were obtained following the remaining concentration of compound for different exposure times. Influence of the particle loading and molecular structure on the reactivity had been evaluated and discussed. Identification of the main degradation products was made for the reaction of PAH with nitrogen dioxide and hydroxyl radical and for the reaction of PBDE with hydroxyl radical. Then, the genotoxicity of the particle extracts was made for different exposure times. This study talks about kinetics, mechanistic and genotoxicity.

<p>Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants are ubiquitous contaminants in the environment due to their heavy usage in plastics, foam, and textiles to comply with flammability standards from the 1970s through the late 2000s. Due to their toxicity and persistence in the environment, two of the three PBDE commercial mixtures (PentaBDE and OctaBDE) were banned by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2009. The DecaBDE commercial mixture, which consists primarily of the fully brominated congener BDE-209, has been banned or phased out in the United States and Europe but is still in use in other parts of the world. Human exposure to PBDEs persists via environmental reservoirs of PBDEs and products produced before the bans/phase-outs. PBDEs disrupt thyroid hormone levels and neurodevelopment in fish and rodents and are associated with altered thyroid hormone levels and neurodevelopmental impairments in humans. However, the mechanism by which PBDEs alter neurodevelopment remains unclear. Knowledge of the mechanisms and molecular targets of PBDEs is necessary for a causal link to be established between PBDEs and neurodevelopmental impairments. The hypothesis of this thesis research is that PBDEs alter thyroid hormone levels in the brain by interfering with the activity of PBDE-metabolizing deiodinase enzymes in brain cells, which may result in decreased levels of thyroid hormones in the brain and impaired neurodevelopment. </p><p>In the first aim of this thesis research, the biotransformation of PBDEs was examined to determine whether hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-BDEs) are formed in the human brain. In biotransformation assays performed with human astrocytes, which are cells located at the blood brain barrier, no debrominated or OH-BDE metabolites were identified. The results indicate that the enzyme responsible for PBDE hydroxylation (CYP2B6) was not expressed in sufficient quantities to metabolize PBDEs in the astrocyte cells used in this study, but future studies should analyze the potential for PBDE hydroxylation in other brain cells. </p><p>In the second aim of this thesis research, the effects of PBDEs on the thyroid-activating enzyme Type 2 deiodinase (DIO2) were determined in human astrocyte cells. DIO2 converts thyroxine (T4) into triiodothyronine (T3), which is the primary ligand that binds to the thyroid nuclear receptors, and is a very important signaling molecule during neurodevelopment. Cultured primary astrocytes and a human glioma cell line (H4 cells) were exposed to PBDEs and OH-BDEs, and changes in DIO2 activity were measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Exposure to BDE-99, -153, and -209, 3-OH-BDE-47, and 5'-OH-BDE-99 all resulted in significant decreases in DIO2 activity in the H4 cells by up to 80% at doses of 500-1,000 nM. Further experiments deduced that the primary mechanism responsible for this decrease in activity was attributed to decreased DIO2 mRNA expression, increased post-translational degradation of DIO2, and competitive inhibition of DIO2. The reduction in DIO2 activity by PBDE and OH-BDE exposures could potentially reduce the concentration of T3 in the brain, which may be responsible for the neurodevelopmental impairments produced by exposure to this class of compounds and needs to be further explored. </p><p>In the third aim of this thesis research, the effects of PBDEs and OH-BDEs were examined in the H4 cells and in a mixed culture containing a human neuroblastoma cell line (SK-N-AS cells). The SK-N-AS cells express the thyroid hormone-inactivating enzyme Type 3 deiodinase (DIO3), which works in concert with DIO2 to buffer the concentration of T3 in the brain. Exposure to BDE-99 decreased the concentration of T3 and the inactive thyroid hormone rT3 in the cell culture medium of co-cultured cells by 59-76%. 3-OH-BDE-47 competitively inhibited DIO3 with an IC50 of 19 uM. 5'-OH-BDE-99 increased the rT3 concentrations in cell culture medium by 400%, increased DIO3 activity in exposed cells by 50%, and increased DIO3 catalytic activity in cellular homogenates by over 500%. Further effects on the mRNA expression of several thyroid-regulated genes (DIO3, TR-a, TR-b, MCT8, and ENPP2) and oxidative respiration were also assessed in the SK-N-AS cells. DIO3 mRNA expression increased by 9 fold in cells exposed to 400 nM BDE-99, and ENPP2 mRNA expression increased by 2 fold in cells exposed to 500 nM BDE-99 and a mixture of the three congeners, but no other significant effects on mRNA expression were observed. The basal respiration rates and other parameters of oxidative respiration were also not significantly altered by exposure to PBDEs or OH-BDEs, but proton leak was increased by over 400% in cells exposed to 2 uM 5'-OH-BDE-99. </p><p>This was the first study to examine the effects of an environmental contaminant on human DIO2 and DIO3 in cultured cells. The results indicated that BDE-99 and OH-BDEs decreased the activity of DIO2 and 5'-OH-BDE-99 increased the activity of DIO3, which combined would lead to decreased levels of T3 exported from the cells into the extracellular environment. These results provide more evidence that disruption of DIO2 and DIO3 by PBDEs during development may mediate the neurodevelopment effects associated with PBDEs.</p> / Dissertation

Problemställning och syfte: Bromerade flamskyddsmedel (BFR) används i många varor och produkter. Polybromerade difenyletrar (PBDEs) är en av dessa och deras kemiska struktur liknar den i miljögiftet PCB och kan på samma sätt lagras upp i miljön samt skada människor och djur. På arbetsplatser där BFR förekommer riskerar medarbetarna att exponeras. I den här studien har olika BFR undersökts i samband med servicearbete på flygplan. Målet har varit att jämföra förekomsten i damm och luft, samt blod (serum) med resultat från tidi­gare studier. Metod: Damm- och luftprovtagning har genomförts vid olika faser av service­arbetet. Proverna har analyserats med avseende på olika typer av BRF. Dess­utom har medarbetarnas upptag av BRF via blodprov (serum) undersökts. Resultat: Undersökningen har visat att samtliga former av PBDE samt övriga BFR förekommer i höga koncentrationer i damm och luft i flygplanen, men med ojämn fördelning. Analyserna av serum visade att flygmekanikerna har förhöjda nivåer jämfört med svensk allmänhet och jämförbar nivå med högexponerade yrkesgrupper. Medarbetarnas ålder, år i yrke och arbetad tid i flygplan den senaste månaden uppvisade inget samband i förhållande till PBDE i serum. Slutsats: Koncentrationerna av BFR i damm och luft är högre än i de flesta andra miljöer och koncentrationerna i serum är högre än de flesta referens­gruppers. För att minska risken för exponering behöver insatserna för att mini­mera dammet via städning förbättras. Dessutom bör informationen gällande hygien och användning av personlig skyddsutrustning repeteras för medarbe­tarna. Samtliga yrkeshygieniska åtgärder bör fastställas och hanteras i det systematiska arbetsmiljöarbetet via rutiner och handlingsplaner. / Presentation and aim: Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used in many materials and products. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are the most well known and because of their structures, similar to that of PCB, they have been proposed to possibly affect health and environment. Occupational exposure has been an issue for years and this study investigated BRF in aircraft mainte­nance. The aim of this study was to assess the presence and levels of BRFs in dust, air and blood (serum) and compare the results with different references. Method: Dust and air were sampled in different phases of the work with the air­craft and analysis of a spectrum of BFR was performed. In addition, serum from employees was sampled and analyzed for the presence of PBDEs. Result: PBDEs and other BFRs were found in dust and air samples at high con­centrations. Serum concentrations in the technicians were slightly higher to those observed in the general Swedish population and in the same magnitude as some highly exposed occupational references. Years of work, age or time spent in the aircraft before giving blood seems not to have an impact on the level of BFRs in serum. Conclusion: This study shows high concentrations of BFR in dust and air in the aircraft and the concentrations of PBDEs in serum were high compared to most reference groups. To minimize the risk for exposure, it is important to focus on industrial hygiene improvements to minimize the amount of dust in working areas. The personal hygiene and use of personal safety equipment can also be improved and the routines should be described and included in the appropriate documentation regarding work environment.