Sea sponge bacteria produces flame-retardant compounds
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have identified a bacteria on sea sponges that produces toxic compounds similar in makeup to synthetic flame retardants. Man-made flame retardants are added to foam, textiles, and electronics to raise the temperature at which they catch fire. Further study will evaluate the risk of the compounds, known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, ending up in the food chain.
In California, researchers at the University of California-San Diego have discovered a bacteria on sea sponges that produces compounds close in composition to synthetic flame retardants.

The compounds, described as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, are toxic and could leach out into the marine environment.

Synthetically produced brominated flame retardants are added to foam, textiles, and electronics to raise the temperature at which these products catch fire. However, they have been found to be endocrine disruptors.

“For the first time we were able to conclusively show that genes and enzymes produced in bacteria from sponges are responsible for the production of these compounds toxic to humans,” says Dr. Vinayak Agarwal.

The sponges hosting the bacteria were discovered in seawater close to Guam. Further study will evaluate the risk of PBDEs ending up in the food chain and determine how many microorganisms produce these chemicals. The research was published in Nature Chemical Biology.