Detection of Dechlorane Plus and brominated flame retardants in marketed fish in Japan

Fish samples purchased from Japanese markets were analyzed for Dechlorane Plus (DP)(syn-, anti-), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)(α, γ). Twenty fish were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for DP and PBDE, and using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for HBCD. DP was detected in 18 samples and ∑DP concentrations were <0.2–14.2 pg g−1 wet wt. Among the DP isomers, anti-DP was the dominant residue observed in this study. PBDE was detected in all samples. Concentrations of ∑PBDE ranged from 2.2 to 878 pg g−1 wet wt. HBCD was detected in 18 samples, and ∑HBCD concentrations were <0.02–21.9 ng g−1 wet wt. In fish landed near the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, we detected relatively high concentrations of DP, PBDE, and HBCD. These results indicate that the seawaters around East Asia are contaminated with flame retardants. This study demonstrates the presence of DP in fish marketed in Japan for the first time.

► We detected Dechlorane Plus from the fish samples in Japan for the first time.
► PBDE and HBCD were also detected in this study.
► Concentration of ∑DP is approximately hundredth of ∑PBDE and thousandth of ∑HBCD.
► Results indicate that flame retardants contaminated the sea waters around East Asia.