Early Exposure to a Brominated Flame Retardant (BDE-99): An Assessment of Long-term Effects Using an Integrated Laboratory and Field Avian Model System

TL;DRAbstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of hydrophobic and bioaccumulative chemicals that have been widely used as additive flame retardants(Hites 2004). 2,2’,4,4’,5-Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99) is one of the major constituents of the commercial penta-BDE flame retardant mixture, and is consistently found in avian tissue and egg samples throughout the world. It is known to cause a wide range of adverse effects in mammals, yet its effects in birds are not well known due to a lack of toxicological literature. Developmental life stages tend to be the most sensitive to environmental contaminants, and effects of early exposure may not be evident until reproductive maturity, necessitating long term studies to assess fitness implications of contaminant exposure. The objectives of this project were to develop an integrated field and lab avian monitoring system to assess the long-term effect of early exposure to BDE-99, using the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) in the lab and

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