Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of intravenously and orally administered tetrabromobisphenol A [2,3-dibromopropyl ether] in male Fischer-344 rats

Abstract Tetrabromobisphenol A bis[2,3-dibromopropyl ether],2,2-bis[3,5-dibromo-4-(2,3-dibromopropoxy)phenyl]propane is a brominated flame retardant with substantial U.S. production. Due to the likelihood of human exposure to TBBPA-DBPE and its probable metabolites, studies regarding the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion were conducted. Male Fischer-344 rats were dosed with TBBPA-DBPE (20 mg/kg) by oral gavage or IV administration. Following a single oral administration of TBBPA-DBPE, elimination of [14 C] equivalents in the feces was extensive and rapid (95% of dose by 36 h). Following repeated daily oral doses for 5 or 10 days, route and rate of elimination was similar to single administrations of TBBPA-DBPE. After IV administration, fecal excretion of [14 C] equivalents was much slower (27% of dose eliminated by 36 h, 71% by 96 h). Urinary elimination was minimal (