Accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in breast milk of women from an e-waste recycling center in China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) can be transferred to infants through the ingestion of breast milk, resulting in potential health risk. In this study, PBDEs, hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers(OH-PBDEs) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,6′-hexachlorobiphenyl(CB-153)in human milk from women living adjacent to e-waste recycling sites of Wenling,China, were investigated. The median level of PBDEs in samples from residents living in the e-waste recycling environment 20 years(R_20group, 19.5 ng/g lipid weight(lw))was significantly higher than that for residents living in Wenling 3 years(R_3group,3.88 ng/g lw)(p 0.05), likely ascribable to specific exposure to PBDEs from e-waste recycling activities. In the R_20 group, most congeners(except for BDE-209) were correlated with each other(p 0.05). Moreover, CB-153 showed significant association with most PBDE congeners, rather than BDE-209. The relationship indicated that most BDE congeners other than BDE-209 shared common sources and/or pathways with CB-153, e.g., dietary ingestion. The correlations between BDE-209 and other congeners were different in the two groups, likely suggesting their different exposure sources and/or pathways for PBDEs.Although estimated dietary intake of PBDEs for infants via breast milk was lower than the minimum value affecting human health, the PBDE exposure of infants should be of great concern because of their potential effect on the development of neonates over long-term exposure. OH-PBDEs were not detected in the collected samples, which is in accordance with reports in published literature, likely indicating that they were not apt to be accumulated in human milk.     

Alterations of endogenous metabolites in urine of rats exposed to decabromodiphenyl ether using metabonomic approaches

There is large usage of polybrominated diphenyl ethers （PBDEs） especially for decabromodiphenyl ether （BDE-209, Deca-BDE） in controlling the risks of fire. The toxicological effects of PBDEs are worth being concerned about. Female SD rats were daily gavaged with BDE-209 ether at the dose of 100 mg/kg for 20 days. Histological observation was performed for the screening of the target organs for BDE-209 exposure. The distribution and metabolism of PBDEs in the exposed main organs were evidenced by HRGC-HRMS. Alterations of the endogenous metabolite concentrations in urine were investigated using metabonomic approaches based on IH NMR spectrum. Histopathological changes including serious edema in kidney, hepatocellular spotty necrosis and perivasculitis in liver indicated that BDE-209 caused potential influences on endogenous metabolism in the exposed liver and the kidney. BDE-209 was found to be highly accumulated in lipid, ovary, kidney and liver after 20 days＇ exposure. Occurrence of other lower brominated PBDEs in the rats demonstrated that reductive debromination process happened in vivo. Hydroxylated and methoxylated-BDEs, as metabolism products, were also detected in the rat tissues. A total of 12 different endogenous metabolites showed obvious alterations in urine from the exposed rats, indicating the disturbance of the corresponding internal biochemical processes induced by BDE-209 exposure. These findings in vivo suggested the potential health risk might be of concern due to the toxicological effects of BDE-209 as a ubiquitous compound in the environment.     

Effects of two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-47, BDE-209) on the swimming behavior,population growth and reproduction of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) are new kinds of persistent organic pollutants(POPs) and their potential threats to the equilibrium and sustainability of marine ecosystems have raised worldwide concerns. Here, two kinds of PBDEs, tetra-BDE(BDE-47)and deca-BDE(BDE-209) were applied, and their toxic effects on the swimming behavior,population growth and reproduction of Brachionus plicatilis were investigated. The results showed that:(1) The actual concentrations of BDE-47 and-209 in the seawater phase measured by GC–MS(Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer) were much lower than their nominal concentrations.(2) In accordance with the 24-hr acute tests, BDE-209 did not show any obvious swimming inhibition to rotifers, but a good correlation did exist between the swimming inhibition rate and BDE-47 concentration suggesting that BDE-47 is more toxic than BDE-209.(3) Both BDE-47 and-209 had a significant influence on the population growth and reproduction parameters of B. plicatilis including the population growth rate, the ratio of ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females(OF/NOF), the ratio of mictic females/amictic females(MF/AF), resting egg production and the mictic rate, which indicate that these parameters in B. plicatilis population were suitable for monitoring and assessing PBDEs. Our results suggest that BDE-47 and-209 are not acute lethal toxicants and may pose a low risk to marine rotifers at environmental concentrations for short-term exposure. They also accumulate differently into rotifers. Further research data are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for the effects caused by PBDEs and to assess their risks accurately.     

Contamination by persistent toxic substances in surface sediment of urban rivers in Chaohu City, China

The concentration and spatial distribution of persistent toxic substances (PTS) in the river sediment in Chaohu City, China were investigated. A total of nine surface sediments were collected and the selected PTS pollutants including six heavy metals and nineteen polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed. The mean heavy metal concentrations (in mg/kg, dry weight) ranged within 0.18-1.53 (Hg), 50.08-200.18 (Cu), 118.70-313.65 (Zn), 50.77-310.85 (Cr), 37.12-92.72 (Pb) and 13.29-197.24 (As), and Cu, Zn and As have been regarded as the main metal pollutants. The levels of PBDEs (1.2-12.1 ng/g) and BDE-209 (2.4-30.5 ng/g) were at the middle level of the global range. BDE-209 was the predominant congener (67.0%-85.7%), which agrees with the fact that technical deca-BDE mixtures are the dominant PBDE formulation in China. The relative high level of PTS pollutants in the western part of the city is probably owing to the intensive agricultural activities and lack of sewerage system there. The ecological risk assessment with the sediment quality guidelines (SOGs) indicates that the urban river sediments in the city have been heavily contaminated by heavy metals with probable ecotoxicological impacts on freshwater organisms and the main toxic pollutants are Hg and As. The results of current study imply that the city, and perhaps many other small cities in China as well, requires immediate pollution control measures with emphasis on not only conventional organic pollutants but also on PTS such as heavy metals and PBDEs.     

Effects of two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-47, BDE-209) on the swimming behavior, population growth and reproduction of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are new kinds of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and their potential threats to the equilibrium and sustainability of marine ecosystems have raised worldwide concerns. Here, two kinds of PBDEs, tetra-BDE (BDE-47) and deca-BDE (BDE-209) were applied, and their toxic effects on the swimming behavior, population growth and reproduction of Brachionus plicatilis were investigated. The results showed that: (1) The actual concentrations of BDE-47 and -209 in the seawater phase measured by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer) were much lower than their nominal concentrations. (2) In accordance with the 24-hr acute tests, BDE-209 did not show any obvious swimming inhibition to rotifers, but a good correlation did exist between the swimming inhibition rate and BDE-47 concentration suggesting that BDE-47 ismore toxic than BDE-209. (3) Both BDE-47 and -209 had a significant influence on the population growth and reproduction parameters of B. plicatilis including the population growth rate, the ratio of ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females (OF/NOF), the ratio of mictic females/amictic females (MF/AF), resting egg production and the mictic rate, which indicate that these parameters in B. plicatilis population were suitable for monitoring and assessing PBDEs. Our results suggest that BDE-47 and -209 are not acute lethal toxicants and may pose a low risk to marine rotifers at environmental concentrations for short-term exposure. They also accumulate differently into rotifers. Further research data are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for the effects caused by PBDEs and to assess their risks accurately.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in chicken tissues and eggs from an electronic waste recycling area in southeast China

The levels and distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in chicken tissues from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling area in southeast China were investigated. Human dietary intake by local residents via chicken muscle and eggs was estimated. The mean PBDEs concentrations in tissues ranged from 15.2 to 3138.1 ng/g lipid weight (lw) and in egg the concentration was 563.5 ng/g lw. The results showed that the level of total PBDEs (PPBDEs) in the chicken tissue was 2–3 orders of magnitude higher than those reported in the literature. The large di erence of PPBDEs concentrations between tissues confirmed that the distribution of PBDEs in tissues depend on tissue-specificity rather than the “lipid-compartment”. BDE-209 was the predominant congener (82.5%– 94.7% of PPBDEs) in all chicken tissues except in brain (34.7% of PPBDEs), which indicated that deca-BDE (the major commercial PBDE formulation comprising 65%–70% of total production) was major pollution source in this area and could be bioaccumulated in terrestrial animals. The dietary PBDEs intake of the local residents from chicken muscle and egg, assuming only local bred chickens and eggs were consumed, ranged from 2.2 to 22.5 ng/(day kg body weight (bw)) with a mean value of 13.5 ng/(day kg bw), which was one order of magnitude higher than the value reported in previous studies for consumption of all foodstu s.     

Seasonal variations of polybrominated flame retardants bound to car dust under Mediterranean climate

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) are commercial flame retardants that have been commonly used in vehicle interior to reduce fire-related hazards. Due to high temperatures and intense insolation that can be attained inside cars parked in the sun, additive PBDEs are prone to leach out and attach to in-vehicle dust, as well as to photo-debrominate. This study examines seasonal variations of concentrations of three common PBDE congeners(BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-209) in car dust in Israel. The overall concentrations of these BDEs ranged from 1 to 29 μg/g, and were higher in the summer than in the winter(average of 10.2 and5.3 μg/g, respectively). Congener-specific concentrations showed distinct seasonal pattern,representing the interplay between leaching, evaporation and photodebromination. Photolysis of the three congeners, while adsorbed on glass filters and exposed to solar radiation, revealed first order kinetics with debromination rates on the order of 10-2/min. Hence, seasonal variations of the meteorological conditions were found to affect the in-vehicle PBDE concentrations, and are therefore expected also to affect the exposure of passengers to PBDEs.     

Uptake, translocation, and debromination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in maize

Uptake, translocation and debromination of three polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), BDE-28, -47 and -99, in maize were studied in a hydroponic experiment. Roots took up most of the PBDEs in the culture solutions and more highly brominated PBDEs had a stronger uptake capability. PBDEs were detected in the stems and leaves of maize after exposure but rarely detected in the blank control plants. Furthermore, PBDE concentrations decreased from roots to stems and then to leaves, and a very clear decreasing gradient was found in segments upwards along the stem. These altogether provide substantiating evidence for the acropetal translocation of PBDEs in maize. More highly brominated PBDEs were translocated with more difficulty. Radial translocation of PBDEs from nodes to sheath inside maize was also observed. Both acropetal and radial translocations were enhanced at higher transpiration rates, suggesting that PBDE transport was probably driven by the transpiration stream. Debromination of PBDEs occurred in all parts of the maize, and debromination patterns of different parent PBDEs and in different parts of a plant were similar but with some differences. This study for the first time provides direct evidence for the acropetal translocation of PBDEs within plants, elucidates the process of PBDE transport and clarifies the debromination products of PBDEs in maize.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in atmosphere and soil of a production area in China: Levels and partitioning

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in atmosphere and soil samples taken in winter and summer at a PBDE production area of Laizhou Bay in China. The concentrations of P11PBDE were 0.017–1.17 ng/m3 in gaseous phase, 0.5–161.1 ng/m3 in particulate phase, and 73–2629 ng/g dry weight in soil samples. The PBDE congener pattern in the gaseous phase di ered from that in the particulate phase, and the PBDE congener pattern in the particulate phase was similar with that in soil. This demonstrated that there was little di erence with atmospheric particle-soil transfer e ciency among PBDE congeners. In addition, there were seasonal variations in percentages on particle for lower brominated congeners. The BDE-28 was mostly in the gaseous phase in summer (88.3%), whereas the average proportion of BDE-28 in gaseous phase in winter was 38.9%. Higher brominated congeners (i.e., BDE-206, BDE- 207, BDE-208, and BDE-209) were bound to the atmospheric particulate phase, and their potentials for long-range migration were mainly a ected by the environmental behavior of atmospheric particles. Results indicated that PBDE congeners in summer were closer to gas-particle partition equilibrium than in winter. Temperature should be considered the main factor causing nonequilibrium in winter.     

Characterization of personal exposure concentration of fine particles for adults and children exposed to high ambient concentrations in Beijing, China

In China, the health risk from overexposure to particles is becoming an important public health concern. To investigate daily exposure characteristics to PM 2.5 with high ambient concentration in urban area, a personal exposure study was conducted for school children, and office workers in Beijing, China. For all participants (N = 114), the mean personal 24-hr exposure concentration was 102.5, 14.7, 0.093, 0.528, 0.934, 0.174 and 0.703 μg/m 3 for PM 2.5 , black carbon, Mn, Al, Ca, Pb, and Fe. Children's exposure concentrations of PM 2.5 were 4-5 times higher than those in related studies. The ambient concentration of PM 2.5 (128.5 μg/m 3 ) was significantly higher than the personal exposure concentration (P 0.05), and exceed the reference concentration (25 μg/m 3 ) of WHO air quality guideline. Good correlation relationships and significant differences were identified between ambient concentration and personal exposure concentration. The relationships indicate that the ambient concentration is the main factor influencing personal exposure concentration, but is not a good indicator of personal exposure concentration. Outdoor activities (commute mode, exposure to heating, workday or weekend travel) influenced personal exposure concentrations significantly, but the magnitude of the influence from indoor activities (exposure to cooking) was masked by the high ambient concentrations.     

生产源区人血中多溴联苯醚水平与甲状腺激素相关性研究

采用气相色谱/负化学电离源-质谱法对莱州湾南岸地区十溴联苯醚生产源区36位居民血清中的5种多溴联苯醚浓度进行了检测,同时测定了样品中的甲状腺激素水平.血清中Σ5PBDEs（BDE-28、-47、-153、-183、-209）的质量浓度范围（以脂重计算,下同）为130.3～4 478.4 ng.g-1,平均值为529.9 ng.g-1.5种同族体中,BDE-209对Σ5PBDEs的平均贡献率达到了69.8%.在与甲状腺激素水平的相关性研究中,计算了两者的Spearman秩相关系数,结果显示BDE-28、-47、-153、-183与TSH水平呈高度负相关,BDE-183与fT4水平呈现显著性负相关,而BDE-28、-47与T3,BDE-28、-153、-183与fT3之间均呈现显著性正相关.本研究中,生产源区人体血清中PBDEs水平处于较高的暴露水平,主要同类物为BDE-209,人体对PBDEs的暴露会影响上述4种甲状腺激素的水平,PBDEs对人体的影响不容忽视,有关PBDEs暴露水平与甲状腺激素水平之间的相关性,应进一步深入研究.     

上海市典型家庭室内空气中PCBs与PBDEs初步研究

于2008年12月─2009年3月用PUF被动采样器采集了上海市6个典型家庭室内的空气样本,利用GC-EI-MS和GC-NCI-MS法分别测定了样本中14种多氯联苯(PCBs)和7种多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)的质量浓度,采用GC-ECD法测定了ρ(BDE-209). 结果表明:ρ(PCBs)为313.84 ～ 753.79 pg/m3,平均值为442.09 pg/m3;ρ(PBDEs)为0.62 ～83.35 pg/m3,平均值为21.83 pg/m3;ρ(BDE-209)为114.9～ 221.19 pg/m3,平均值为185.58 pg/m3. 与文献报道相比,上海市家庭室内空气中ρ(PCBs)处于中等水平,ρ(PBDEs)略低,但ρ(BDE-209)明显高于其他地区. 儿童和成人对PCBs的日均暴露量达到1 980和4 772 pg/d,对PBDEs的日均暴露量达到930和2 241 pg/d. PCBs和PBDEs能够引起人体生物毒性效应,因此,作为在室内空气中普遍存在的有机污染物,其持续低剂量的暴露应引起重视.      

婴儿脐带血和母亲血中多溴联苯醚的研究

为研究环境污染物多溴联苯醚(PBDEs)在人体的含量,采集了21对婴儿脐带和母亲静脉血样,用气相色谱和质谱法进行测定.结果表明,在所检测的7个PBDEs同系物(BDE-28,-47,-99,-100,-153,-154和-183)中,BDE-47和BDE-153为最主要的同系物.总PBDEs的含量分布于1.5~17ng/g;略高于挪威报道的含量水平,但低于瑞典和德国,远低于美国所报道的水平.      

成渝经济区河流表层沉积物中多溴联苯醚的分布特征

在成渝经济区内采集了19个表层沉积物样品,采用GC/MS方法对其中的PBDEs(Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers,多溴联苯醚)进行了检测. 结果表明,沉积物中w(ΣPBDEs)(ΣPBDEs包括BDE-1,BDE-15,BDE-17,BDE-28,BDE-47,BDE-66,BDE-71,BDE-85,BDE-99,BDE-100,BDE-126,BDE-138,BDE-153,BDE-154,BDE-166,BDE-181,BDE-183和BDE-190)为0.20～6.45 ng/g,w(BDE-209)为0.44～6.29 ng/g. 与其他地区相比,成渝经济区内PBDEs的污染水平相对较低, 大部分样品中的PBDEs以BDE-209为主,说明成渝经济区河流沉积物中的PBDEs主要来自十溴联苯醚; 但PBDEs的组成特征显示,彭山岷江大桥沉积物中的PBDEs主要来自五溴联苯醚,而官渡沉积物中的PBDEs主要来自八溴联苯醚. 此外,一些以往工作较少关注的PBDEs单体,如BDE-1,BDE-15,BDE-181和BDE-190等,不但在沉积物中的检出率较高(均高于70%),而且有的含量也相对较高.      

经口摄入土壤多溴联苯醚生物可给性变化及影响因素的体外消化模拟

误食土壤是污染物(如多溴联苯醚)人体(主要是儿童)暴露的重要途径,人体消化道内污染物吸收的生物可给性是针对此种暴露方式进行定量风险评估的有效途径之一.本研究采用体外消化实验模拟3种不同有机碳含量的天然土壤中典型多溴联苯醚(BDE-28、BDE-47、BDE-99和BDE-153)在胃和小肠消化液中的释放,验证部分消化释放的多溴联苯醚因消化残留固相表面的再吸附造成低估实际生物可给性,并通过不同水土比的拟合计算予以校正.结果表明,校正后的消化率普遍高于校正前;就不同土样而言,BDE-28、BDE-47、BDE-99和BDE-153在不同初始暴露浓度条件下平均提升比例范围分别为14.3%~42.3%、11.1%~32.1%、4.9%~12.3%和0.0%~7.7%.因此,未经校正的消化率会显著低估PBDEs消化道内的生物可给性,尤其是低溴代组分及PBDEs初始浓度较高或高TOC含量的土样.校正后BDE-28、BDE-47、BDE-99和BDE-153的消化率分别维持在21.9%~54.7%、18.8%~43.1%、13.4%~27.2%和9.3%~19.9%.此外,PBDEs的消化率与其辛醇-水分配系数的对数lg KOW呈显著负相关;而与土壤TOC含量及PBDEs初始暴露浓度的相关性并不显著,尤其是高溴代组分.     

Effects of two polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-47, BDE-209) on the swimming behavior,population growth and reproduction of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are new kinds of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and their potential threats to the equilibrium and sustainability of marine ecosystems have raised worldwide concerns. Here, two kinds of PBDEs, tetra-BDE (BDE-47) and deca-BDE (BDE-209) were applied, and their toxic effects on the swimming behavior, population growth and reproduction of Brachionus plicatilis were investigated. The results showed that: (1) The actual concentrations of BDE-47 and -209 in the seawater phase measured by GC–MS (Gas Chromatography−Mass Spectrometer) were much lower than their nominal concentrations. (2) In accordance with the 24-hr acute tests, BDE-209 did not show any obvious swimming inhibition to rotifers, but a good correlation did exist between the swimming inhibition rate and BDE-47 concentration suggesting that BDE-47 is more toxic than BDE-209. (3) Both BDE-47 and -209 had a significant influence on the population growth and reproduction parameters of B. plicatilis including the population growth rate, the ratio of ovigerous females/non-ovigerous females (OF/NOF), the ratio of mictic females/amictic females (MF/AF), resting egg production and the mictic rate, which indicate that these parameters in B. plicatilis population were suitable for monitoring and assessing PBDEs. Our results suggest that BDE-47 and -209 are not acute lethal toxicants and may pose a low risk to marine rotifers at environmental concentrations for short-term exposure. They also accumulate differently into rotifers. Further research data are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for the effects caused by PBDEs and to assess their risks accurately.     

上海室内环境中多溴二苯醚的沉降通量与组成

对上海市主城区8个家庭和8个办公室的室内降尘于2008年7~8月间用洁净玻璃板进行了定量采集,使用气相色谱-质谱联用仪在负化学电离(NCI)和选择离子扫描(SIM)条件下对室内降尘中BDE-17,-28,-71,-47,-66,-77,-100,-99,-85,-118,-154,-153,-138,-183,-190和BDE-209共16种PBDEs同系物进行了分析,目的是了解上海市室内环境中多溴二苯醚的沉降通量、组成及其影响因素.结果表明,上海家庭和办公室中颗粒态PBDEs的沉降通量分别为(10.9±8.2)和(14.2±11.9)ng.(m2.d)-1,同系物组成以十溴二苯醚(BDE-209)为主,占总量的88.2%~99.2%.办公室环境中颗粒物沉降量较低[(3.1±2.0)mg.(m2.d)-1],但颗粒物中PBDEs含量[(3 361.6±1 987.4)ng.g-1]明显高于家庭环境[(1169.1±647.1)ng.g-1].上海室内降尘中PBDEs的含量与世界其他城市相比处于中等水平.PBDEs室内沉降通量与降尘通量、电器数量及使用时间相关,而与室内装修程度、家具数量的关系不明显.     

东海沉积物中多溴联苯醚的分布特征研究

采集分析了中国东海28个表层沉积物和7个柱状沉积物.结果表明,东海表层沉积物中除BDE-209外∑PBDEs的浓度范围为0.20~2.09ng/g dw,BDE-209的浓度范围为0.57~2.87ng/g dw,在总PBDEs中所占浓度百分比为57.9%~76.7%;接下来分别是BDE-99和BDE-47,所占比例分别为11.7%~21.5%和7.1%~17.4%.表层沉积物中PBDEs分布呈现出(离海岸线)由近及远浓度越来越低的趋势,由北到南浓度上升的趋势.东海柱状沉积物中PBDEs浓度随着深度加深呈现出先上升后下降的趋势,很好的反映出了PBDEs在中国大陆的使用历史和现状.表层沉积物TOC含量在0.54%~0.88%之间,柱状沉积物TOC的含量在0.62%~0.88%之间,而且不管是表层沉积物(R²=0.723,P < 0.01)还是柱状沉积物(R²=0.595, P < 0.01),PBDEs浓度和TOC含量之间有较强的线性关系,表明沉积物中TOC含量是影响PBDEs分布的一个重要因素.