Table 2.

Some PBDE congeners and their adverse effects. GDM: gestational diabetes mellitus.

Congener	Effects
2,3,4,5,6-Pentabromo-1-(2,3,4,5,6-pentabromophenoxy)benzene (BDE-209)	Long-term exposure increased proliferation of normal human thyroid follicular epithelial cell line, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC)-derived cell, in vitro and in mice. Could induce cancerogenesis in airway epithelial cells. Most toxicologically characterized PBDE.
2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47)	Alters retinoic acid pathway in zebrafish larvae. Linear association between BDE-47 serum concentration and type 2 diabetes risk. Centrilobular hypertrophy and fatty changes in liver. Could induce cancerogenesis in airway epithelial cells.
2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-Hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-153)	Alteration of glucose and lipid metabolism in mice. U-shaped relationship between diabetes and metabolic syndrome on one side and exposure to BDE-153 on the other.
2,2′,3,4,4′-Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-85)	Enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in INS-1 832/13 pancreatic β-cells.
2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-Hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-154)	Increase in GDM risk.
2,2′,4,4′,5-Pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99)	Spermatogenic injuries in prenatally exposed rats. Could induce cancerogenesis in airway epithelial cells. Activation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition in colorectal cancer cells.
DE-71 (mixture)	Liver toxicity.