Toxic Flame Retardants Found in Eggs Near Waste Sites, Review Warns

A new review published in Emerging Contaminants has raised concerns about high levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) detected in eggs from chickens raised near waste disposal areas. The analysis found that eggs collected from several regions worldwide—mainly in developing countries—were contaminated with both banned flame retardants, such as PBDEs, and newer replacement chemicals.

The highest concentrations were reported in eggs from areas close to landfills and sites where electronic waste and other garbage are openly burned. In some cases, the level of contamination was so severe that eating just one egg could exceed recommended daily exposure limits for humans.

BFRs belong to the group of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which remain in the environment for long periods and pose serious risks to human and animal health. The review highlights chicken eggs as a particularly sensitive pathway for transferring soil contamination to humans. Despite existing international controls, the authors stress that regulatory gaps still allow widespread use of potentially harmful flame retardants.

09-01-2026