Ecosystem Transformation (), 195-216
Organophosphate esters in ecosystems: environmental migration, bioaccumulation, and human health risks
Bash P.V. , Zhakovskaya Z.A.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23859/estr-251010Pages: 195-216
Received: 10.10.2025
Accepted: 09.12.2025
Available online: 29.05.2026
ISSN 2619-0931 Online
The article provides a review of current data on a group of organophosphate esters, widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers. It systematizes information on their sources, pathways of entry into ecosystem components and the human body, as well as the toxic effects they cause, ultimately leading to ecosystem sustainability disruption. Based on the synthesis of primary data, conclusions are drawn regarding the constant emission of organophosphate esters from most polymer-containing materials, in addition to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and high toxicity to living organisms at different trophic levels. The necessity of studying the migration of organophosphate esters in various ecosystems is emphasized, as well as systematic monitoring of their levels in agricultural products and consumer goods.
P. V. Bash
St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences
14th line V.O. 39, Saint Petersburg, 199178 Russia
polli-ant@mail.ru
Z. A. Zhakovskaya
St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPC RAS), Scientific Research Centre for Ecological Safety of the Russian Academy of Sciences
ul. Korpusnaya 18, St. Petersburg, 197110 Russia
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Keywords: organic esters of phosphoric acid, flame retardants, ecosystem sustainability, living organisms, food chains, toxic effects
For citation: Bash., P.V., Zhakovskaya, Z.A., 2026. Organophosphate esters in ecosystems: environmental migration, bioaccumulation, and human health risks. Ecosystem Transformation 9 (2), 195–216. https://doi.org/10.23859/estr-251010
