[A novel class of environmental contaminants: hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs)].

As a novel class of organic pollutants, OH-PBDEs are becoming a new research topic. Recently, OH-PBDEs correlated with their bioaccumulation and toxic effects have been found in various environmental matrices. This paper reviews recent researches about the source, determination, exposure level, toxicological effects and transformation pathways of OH-PBDEs. Furthermore, the recommendations for further research about OH-PBDEs are also proposed in this paper.