Of the main groups of flame retardants, i.e. inorganic, halogenated organic, organophosphorous and nitrogen-based flame retardants, brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have received most public and political attention because of concerns about their environmental persistence and adverse effects. BFRs are a chemically diverse group of compounds widely used in e.g. electronic equipment, textiles and construction materials. Most of them are added to the polymers – as opposed to covalently bound – and thus more susceptible to releases into the environment. Although the C-Br bond is weaker than that of persistent chlorinated or fluorinated chemicals, BFRs are sufficiently stable for long-range transport and accumulation in food chains, including those of the Arctic. Consequently, humans can be exposed to BFRs via diet. In addition, the presence of BFRs in products of daily use can make the indoor environment a significant source of exposure. Being endocrine disrupters, some BFRs can affect the neurodevelopment and have been associated with reproductive impairment, but epidemiological evidence is still sparse. The best studied BFRs are the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which were recently banned in the EU and other countries. Other compounds of interest are polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and so-called novel BFRs, some of which are replacement products of PBDEs.