Photochemical formation of halogenated dioxins from hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) and chlorinated derivatives (OH-PBCDEs)

The potential photochemical formation of polybrominated and mixed halogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs and PXDDs) from hydroxylated polybrominated and polybrominated/chlorinated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs and OH-PBCDEs) in aqueous solution was studied. The ortho-hydroxylated BDE47 derivative 6-OH-BDE47, and chlorinated derivatives 3-Cl-6-OHBDE47, 5-Cl-6-OH-BDE47, and 3,5-Cl-6-OH-BDE47 were photolyzed under sunlight at 45° N latitude in buffered waters, Mississippi River water, Lake Josephine water, and ultrapure water adjusted to the pH of the natural waters. Chemical actinometry was used to determine reactant quantum yields which were calculated to be between 0.03 and 0.21, with lower yields for the chlorinated derivatives under all conditions. Quantum yields under natural water conditions were not significantly enhanced indicating that direct photolysis is the primary process of photochemical degradation. The formation of halogenated dioxins from the outdoor photolysis of the four OH-PBDEs/OH-PBCDEs under all conditions was confirmed. Dioxin yields of 0.7-3.6% were found, with higher yields for 6-OH-BDE47 under all conditions. This study suggests that photolysis of OH-PBDEs and OH-PBCDEs is a potential formation pathway of PBDDs and PXDDs in the environment.