Expanded polystyrene (EPS) debris as a source of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in the marine environment of South Korea

Abstract

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are currently the most widely used aliphatic-additive brominated flameretardants (BFRs). HBCDs are mainly added (<3% by weight) in expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extractedpolystyrene (XPS), which are commonly used as construction materials, such as thermal insulation ormolded foam packing. Other uses of HBCDs include textiles used in residential and commercial furniture,and electrical equipments.In our previous study, we found the enrichment of HBCD concentration in sediment near oyster farms in asemienclosed bay in the southern part of South Korea (the data is not shown here), where are not locatednear known sources of HBCDs, such as industrial emission sources, sewage treatment plants or denselypopulated cities. We speculate that the EPS buoys that are extensively used in oyster aquaculture farms arethe point source of HBCDs in marine environment of South Korea. In order to verify this assumption, newEPS buoys and stranded buoys (including their particles) were collected from the commercial market andalong the coasts, respectively. Additionally, farmed and wild oysters are obtained for HBCD analysis.commonly used as construction materials, such as thermal insulation ormolded foam packing. Other uses of HBCDs include textiles used in residential and commercial furniture,and electrical equipments.In our previous study, we found the enrichment of HBCD concentration in sediment near oyster farms in asemienclosed bay in the southern part of South Korea (the data is not shown here), where are not locatednear known sources of HBCDs, such as industrial emission sources, sewage treatment plants or denselypopulated cities. We speculate that the EPS buoys that are extensively used in oyster aquaculture farms arethe point source of HBCDs in marine environment of South Korea. In order to verify this assumption, newEPS buoys and stranded buoys (including their particles) were collected from the commercial market andalong the coasts, respectively. Additionally, farmed and wild oysters are obtained for HBCD analysis.