Sample handling and analysis of brominated flame retardants in soil and sludge samples

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) comprise diverse chemical compounds used in a variety of commercial applications. Those used most are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). The impact of BFRs on the environment and their potential risks for animals and humans is of concern to the scientific community. A number of studies have reported analytical methods and levels of some BFRs, especially PBDEs, in sediments and biota. However, there is much less literature relating to sewage sludge and treated soil. In this article, we discuss the use of different sample-preparation techniques applied to these matrices, as well as the different approaches to mass spectrometry (MS). Finally, we review the available data concerning the occurrence of BFRs in sewage sludges, before presenting our conclusions and outlining future perspectives. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.