Decabromodiphenyl ethane

Decabromodiphenyl ethane has been studied in 2 papers since 2020: none in people yet, 2 in animals; 1 in the past year. The research so far is in animals. The newest story, Nov 12, 2026: “Flame retardant exposure in male mice shortened offspring lives”.

Intervention

2 papers study it5 findingsUpdated Nov 1, 2026

PubChem

1 new paper in 30 daysSee all 2 papers on decabromodiphenyl ethane

At a glance

The findings reach mice, none yet in people. 2 independent labs in 1 country.

None of its findings points the other way.

2 independent labs in 1 country

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China

Animals2

What did studies of decabromodiphenyl ethane find?

Studies of decabromodiphenyl ethane measured 5 outcomes, among them aging-like pathological alterations, lifespan and fertilization capacity.

Aging-like pathological alterations

upin mice1

1 study

Decabromodiphenyl ethane induces aging-like pathological alterations in mice (F1 offspring following paternal exposure).
“Paternal DBDPE exposure also induced aging-like pathological alterations and shortened lifespan in F1 offspring.”
AnimalsF1 offspring following paternal exposure
Flame retardant exposure in male mice shortened offspring lives
Ecotoxicology and environmental safetyNov 1, 2026

Lifespan

downin mice1

1 study

Decabromodiphenyl ethane shortens lifespan in mice (F1 offspring following paternal exposure).
“Paternal DBDPE exposure also induced aging-like pathological alterations and shortened lifespan in F1 offspring.”
AnimalsF1 offspring following paternal exposure
Flame retardant exposure in male mice shortened offspring lives
Ecotoxicology and environmental safetyNov 1, 2026

Fertilization capacity

downin mice1

1 study

Decabromodiphenyl ethane impairs fertilization capacity in mice.
“Chronic DBDPE exposure resulted in dose-dependent testicular accumulation, impaired sperm quality, and reduced fertilization capacity.”
Animals0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg body weight/day6 monthsmales
Flame retardant exposure in male mice shortened offspring lives
Ecotoxicology and environmental safetyNov 1, 2026

Sperm number and motility

downin rats1

1 study

Decabromodiphenyl ethane decreases sperm number and motility in rats.
“BDE-209 and DBDPE led to testicular damage in physiological structure, decreased the sperm number and motility”
Animalstestis5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/day28-daymales
BDE-209 and DBDPE induce male reproductive toxicity through telomere-related cell senescence and apoptosis in SD rat
Environment internationalDec 13, 2020

Telomere length

downin rats1

1 study

Decabromodiphenyl ethane decreases telomere length in rats.
“BDE-209 and DBDPE could damage the telomeric function by shortening telomere length and reducing telomerase activity”
Animalstestis5, 50 and 500 mg/kg/day28-daymales
BDE-209 and DBDPE induce male reproductive toxicity through telomere-related cell senescence and apoptosis in SD rat
Environment internationalDec 13, 2020

Latest

1 paper in 12 months

Ecotoxicology and Environmental SafetyNov 12

Flame retardant exposure in male mice shortened offspring lives

After six months of oral exposure in male mice, their first-generation offspring developed aging-like tissue changes and had shorter lifespans.After six months of oral exposure in male mice, their first-generation offspring developed aging-like tissue changes and had shorter lifespans.

Mouse studyMechanisms