Abstract
The polybrominated biphenyl known as “Firemaster” is a flame retardant that accidentally became mixed with cattle feed in Michigan in 1973. The resulting toxicosis to animals and humans prompted extensive study to determine Firemaster's toxic components. Although 4 of 12 major Chromatographic peaks of Firemaster produce mixed enzyme induction, they do not account for the total toxicity. By capillary gas chromatography, it was observed that Firemaster FF-1, lot FH 7042, consisted of at least 60 compounds. We have isolated or otherwise determined the structure for 10 minor components of Firemaster: 3,3′,4,4′-tetra-,2,2′,3,5′, 6-penta-,2,2′,4,4′,5-penta-,3,3′, 4,4′,5-penta-,2,3,3′, 4,4′, 5-hexa-,2,3,3′,4,4′,5′-hexa-, 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexa-, 2,2′, 3,3′,4,5,5′- hepta-,2,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′- hepta-and 2,2′,3,3′,4,5,6′- hepta-bromobiphenyl. All of these polybromobiphenyl congeners except 2,2′,4,4′,5-pentabromobiphenyl are in the latest eluting (most polar) fraction by normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of Firemaster. This fraction exhibits biological activity. Hyperkeratosis induction tests were carried out on rabbit ears with 3,3′,4,4′-tetra-,2,2′,3,5′, 6-penta-, 2,3,3′,4,4′,5-hexa-, 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexa-, and 2,2′,3,3′,4,5,6′-heptabromobiphenyl, but only 3,3′,4,4′-tetra- and 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl gave positive responses. Apparently, these two compounds and 3,3′,4,4′,5-pentabromobiphenyl are significant contributors to the hyperkeratotic activity of Firemaster.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Albro, P. W., J. K. Haseman, T. A. Clemmer, and B. J. Corbett: Identification of the individual polychlorinated biphenyls in a mixture by gas-liquid chromatography. J. Chromatogr.136, 147 (1977).
Andersson, K., A. Norstrom, C. Rappe, B. Rasmuson, and H. Swahlin: Photochemical degradation of PCB, PBB, and other flame retardants. In F. Coulston and K. Friedhelm (eds.): Environmental quality and safety supplement, Pesticides, Vol. III. George Thieme Publishers (1975).
Aust, S. D., G. A. Dannan, S. D. Sleight, P. J. Fraker, R. K. Ringer, and D. Rolin: Toxicology of polybrominated biphenyls. In M. A. Q. Khan and R. H. Stanton (eds.): Toxicology of halogenated hydrocarbons. Health and Ecological Effects, New York: Pergamon Press (1981).
Besaw, L. C., R. W. Moore, G. A. Dannan, and S. D. Aust: Effect of 2,2′,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-octabromobiphenyl on microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes. Pharmacologist20, 251 (1978).
Cadogen, J. I. G.: A convenient new method of aromatic arylation. J. Chem. Soc. (London), 4257 (1962).
Chanda, J. J., H. A. Anderson, R. W. Glamb, D. L. Lomatch, M. S. Wolfe, J. J. Voorhees, and I. J. Selikoff: Cutaneous effects of exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs): The Michigan PBB Incident. Environ. Res.29, 97 (1982).
Dannan, G. A., R. W. Moore, L. C. Besaw, and S. D. Aust: 2,4,5,3′,4′,5′-Hexabromobiphenyl is both a 3-methylcholanthrene- and a phenobarbital-type inducer of microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.85, 450 (1978).
Dannan, G. A., G. J. Mileski, and S. D. Aust: Purification of polybrominated biphenyl congeners. J. Toxicol. Environ. Health9, 423 (1982a).
Dannan, G. A., S. D. Sleight, P. J. Fraker, J. D. Krehbiel, and S. D. Aust: Liver microsomal enzyme induction and toxicity studies with 2,4,5,3′,4′-pentabromobiphenyl. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.64, 187 (1982b).
Dannan, G. A., G. J. Mileski, and S. D. Aust: Reconstitution of some biochemical and toxicological effects of commercial mixtures of polybrominated biphenyls. Funds. Appl. Toxicol.2, 322 (1982c).
De Kok, J. J., A. De Kok, U. A. Th. Brinkman, and R. M. Kok: Analysis of polybrominated biphenyls. J. Chromatogr.142, 367 (1977).
Dent, J. G., K. J. Netter, and J. E. Gibson: Effects of chronic administration polybrominated biphenyls on parameters associated with hepatic drug metabolism. Res. Commun. Chem. Pathol. Pharmacol.13, 75 (1976a).
—: The induction of hepatic microsomal metabolism in rats following acute administration of a mixture of polybrominated biphenyls. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.38, 237 (1976b).
DiCarlo, F. J., J. Scifter, and V. J. DeCarlo: Assessment of the hazards of polybrominated biphenyls. Environ. Health Persp.23, 351 (1978).
Erney, D. R.: Confirmation of polybrominated biphenyl residues in feeds and dairy products, using an ultraviolet irradiation-gas-liquid chromatographic technique. J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem.58, 1202 (1975).
Getty, S. M., D. E. Rickett, and A. L. Trapp: Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) toxicosis: An environmental accident. CRC Crit. Rev. Environ. Control, Nov., 309–323 (1977).
Goldstein, J. A., P. C. Linko, L. A. Levy, J. D. McKinney, B. N. Gupta, and J. A. Moore: A comparison of a commercial polybrominated biphenyl mixture, 2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexabromobiphenyl and 2,3,6,7-tetrabromonaphthalene as inducers of liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes. Bioch. Pharm.28, 2947 (1979).
Hass, J. R., E. E. McConnell, and D. J. Harvan: Chemical and toxicologic evaluation of Firemaster BP-6. J. Agric. Food Chem.26, 94 (1978).
Hill, R. H., Jr., D. G. Patterson, D. L. Orti, J. S. Holler, L. L. Needham, S. L. Sirmans, and J. A. Liddle: Evidence of degradation of polybrominated biphenyls in soil samples from the State of Michigan. J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part B.17, 19 (1982).
Hill, R. H., Jr.: Unpublished results, manuscript in preparation.
Kimbrough, R. D., V. W. Burse, J. A. Liddle, and G. F. Fries: Toxicity of polybrominated biphenyl. LancetII, 602 (1977).
Moore, R. W., and S. D. Aust: Purification and structural characterization of polybrominated biphenyl congeners. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.84, 936 (1978).
Moore, R. W., J. V. O'Connor, and S. D. Aust: Identification of a major component of polybrominated biphenyls as 2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-heptabromobiphenyl. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.20, 478 (1978a).
Moore, R. W., S. D. Sleight, and S. D. Aust: Induction of liver microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes by 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.44, 309 (1978b).
—: Effects of 2,2′-dibromobiphenyl and 2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-heptabromobiphenyl on liver microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.48, 73 (1979).
Moore, R. W., G. A. Dannan, and S. D. Aust: Structural-functional relationships for the pharmacological and toxicological effects and metabolism of polybrominated biphenyl congeners. In R. S. Bhatnager (ed.): Molecular basis of environmental toxicity, p. 173. Ann Arbor, MI: Ann Arbor Science (1980).
Needham, L. L., R. H. Hill, D. L. Orti, D. G. Patterson, R. D. Kimbrough, D. F. Groce, and J. A. Liddle: Identification of polybrominated biphenyls in Firemaster FF-1 that possess hyperkeratotic activity. J. Tox. Environ. Health9, 877 (1982).
Patterson, D. G., R. H. Hill, L. L. Needham, D. L. Orti, R. D. Kimbrough, and J. A. Liddle: Hyperkeratosis induced by sunlight degradation products of the major polybrominated biphenyl in Firemaster. Science213, 901 (1981a).
Patterson, D. G., L. W. Yert, D. L. Orti, R. H. Hill, J. S. Holler, L. L. Needham, J. A. Liddle, and H. J. Lee: The characterization and environmental impact of compounds formed in the photodegradation of polybrominated biphenyl congeners. Presented at the 29th Annual Conference of Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Minneapolis, MN, May 24–29, 1981b (Manuscript to be submitted for publication).
Poland, A., and E. Glover: Chlorinated biphenyl induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity: A study of the structure-activity relationship. Mol. Pharmacol.13, 924 (1977).
Poland, A., and J. C. Knutson: 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin and related halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons: Examination of the mechanism of toxicity. Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol.22, 517 (1982).
Render, J. A., S. D. Aust, and S. D. Sleight: Acute pathologic effects of 3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl in rats: Comparison of its effects with Firemaster BP-6 and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.62, 428 (1982).
Robertson, L. W., A. Parkinson, and S. Safe: Induction of both cytochromes P-450 and P-448 by 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentabromobiphenyl, a compound of Firemaster. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.92, 175 (1980).
—: Induction of drug metabolizing enzymes by fractionated commercial polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.57, 254 (1981a).
Robertson, L. W., A. Parkinson, S. Bandiera, and S. Safe: Potent induction of rat liver microsomal, drug-metabolizing enzymes by 2,3,3′,4,4′,5-hexabromobiphenyl, a component of Firemaster. Chem. Biol. Interact.35, 13 (1981b).
Robertson, L. W., A. Parkinson, B. Chittim, S. Bandiera, T. W. Sawyer, and S. Safe. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) induction by polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs): Enhancement by photolysis. Toxicol.22, 103 (1981c).
Robertson, L. W., A. Parkinson, M. A. Campbell, and S. Safe: Polybrominated biphenyls as aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase inducers: Structure-activity correlations. Chem. Biol. Interact.42, 53 (1982).
Ruzo, L. O., G. Sundstrom, O. Hutzinger, and S. Safe: Photo-degradation of polybromobiphenyls (PBB). J. Agric. Food Chem.24, 1062 (1976).
Safe, S., L. W. Robertson, A. Parkinson, M. Shilling, R. Cockerline, and M. A. Campbell: Polybrominated biphenyls, polychlorinated naphthalenes and polychlorinated terphenyls as microsomal enzyme inducers. In M. A. Q. Khan and R. H. Stanton (eds.): Toxicology of halogenated hydrocarbons health and ecological effects, p. 97 New York: Pergamon Press, (1981).
Sovocool, G. W., and N. K. Wilson: Differentiation of brominated biphenyls by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. J. Org. Chem.47, 4032 (1982).
Sundstrom, G., O. J. Hutzinger, and S. Safe: Identification of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl as the major component of flame retardant Firemaster BP-6. Chemosphere5, 11 (1976).
Sweetman, J. A., and E. A. Boettner: Analysis of polybrominated biphenyls by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. J. Chromatogr.236, 127 (1982).
Taylor, J. S.: Environmental chloracne: Update and review. Annals NY Acad. Sci.320, 295 (1979).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Use of trade names is for identification only and does not constitute endorsement by the Public Health Service or by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Orti, D.L., Hill, R.H., Patterson, D.G. et al. Structure elucidation of some minor components of the polybromobiphenyl mixture, Firemaster. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 12, 603–614 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01060741
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01060741