2,2',6,6'-tetrabromo-4,4'-isopropylidenediphenol

Bioaccumulation: aquatic / sediment

Description of key information

Several studies have investigated TBBPA’s potential for absorption and elimination in aquatic species, e.g. fish, oysters and midges. The results are consistent with similar studies in humans and rats that demonstrate TBBPA is rapidly metabolized and eliminated and has little to no potential for bioaccumulation.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

BCF (aquatic species):

150 dimensionless

Additional information

The bioaccumulation potential of TBBPA in aquatic species was investigated in 5 studies:

1) Fackler (1989): Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) were exposed to 4.7 µg/L 14C-TBBPA under flow through conditions for a 24-day exposure period followed by a 6-day depuration period. Fish rapidly eliminated TBBPA once removed to fresh water, with 50% elimination of the 14C-residues present in the tissue of fathead minnows on the last day of exposure occurring during the first 24 hours of depuration. The BCF of the parent compound (TBBPA) was approximately 150.

2) Nye (1978): Blue gill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) were exposed to 0.0098 ppm 14C-TBBPA for 28 days under flow-through conditions followed by a 14-day withdrawal period.  The BCF in edible tissue was 20, and was 170 in visceral tissue.  Plateau levels were reached within 3 - 7 days. The whole body half-life was < 24 hours. 

3) Anonymous (1976): Carp (Cyprinus carpio) were exposed to TBBPA at concentrations of 8 or 80 µg/L for 8 weeks. The data were not suitable for calculation of a BCF value at steady-state. The BCF was 30 - 341 at 80 µg/L and 52 - 485 at 8 µg/L.  Hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) and tripolyoxyethylene (5)-cetyl ether phosphoester (TCP) were used to prepare the stock solution, meaning that that a stock solution of 500 mg/L (higher than TBBPA’s water solubility) could be obtained. 

4) Fackler (1989): Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were exposed to a nominal concentration of 1 µg/L 14C-TBBPA under flow through conditions for a 20-day exposure period followed by a 14-day depuration period.Total 14C-residues reached a steady-state in oyster tissues by day 5. The BCF of the parent compound in the oyster was 148. The BCF for total 14C residues was 720. The depuration half-life was between 3 - 5 days.

5) Breteler (1989): The sediment midge Chironomus tentans was exposed to TBBPA at nominal concentrations of 0.31, 0.63, 1.3, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/L (mean measured concentrations 0.0661, 0.118, 0.202, 0.408 and 0.848 mg/L) in a 14 day continuous exposure via treated sediments under flow-through conditions. As a part of the study, bioconcentration factors were calculated as the ratio of the body and interstitial water concentrations. In the high (6.8%) organic carbon sediment, the BCFs ranged from 243 - 511 over the 5 dose levels. In the mid (2.7%) organic carbon sediment, the BCFs ranged from 487 - 1140. In the low (0.25%) organic carbon sediment, the BCFs ranged from 646 to 3190.