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Glite Dictionary
polybrominated

polybrominated

9.3
Containing more than one bromine atom in each molecule
  • adjective
  • /ˌpɒliˈbroʊmɪneɪtɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polibromado
  • The polybrominated chemicals can accumulate in the environment and pose health risks.
  • polybrominated diphenyl
  • polybrominated diphenyl ethers
  • polybrominated biphenyls

Examples

  • Polybrominated biphenyls are often used as flame retardants in various products.

  • Another accidental food contamination event in Michigan in 1973 led to the exposure of more than 4,000 individuals to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs).

    Academic text (2010)

  • Johnson-Restrepo B, Kannan K. 2009. An assessment of sources and pathways of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the United States. Chemosphere 76(4):542-548.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Manufacturers are now reducing the use of polybrominated compounds in household goods.

Synonyms

brominated
vspolybrominated
  • Specialized
7.4

Containing the chemical bromine or treated with it

contains multiple bromine atoms in each molecule

How Brominated

polybrominated
  • Specialized
9.3
brominated
  • Specialized
7.4

Surface Forms

polybrominated positive

Morphology

polybrominated = brominated (semi-transparent) = poly + bromine + ate + ed

The meaning is built compositionally from poly- plus brominated, but the chemical terminology is specialized enough that it is not fully transparent for an average learner.

Etymology

Polybrominated starts with poly- meaning 'many', has bromine (the chemical element), and ends with -ated meaning 'having'. So a polybrominated chemical is one that has 'many' bromine atoms attached to its molecule, which is why the term describes compounds with more than one bromine atom.