Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers among workers at an electronic waste dismantling region in Guangdong, China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as flame retardants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the PBDE serum levels in residents from an electronic waste dismantling region, residents living within 50 km of the dismantling region, and a referent group with no occupational PBDE exposure. Fourteen PBDE congeners including BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183, BDE-196, BDE-197, BDE-203, BDE-206, BDE-207, BDE-208 and BDE-209 were quantified in these three groups by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization (NCI) mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. We found that the levels of all PBDE congeners in serum of residents from electronic waste dismantling region were significantly higher than those in the two other groups. The referents showed the lowest PBDE levels. Concentrations of congeners with a high number of bromine substituents, i.e., hepta- to decaBDEs in occupational exposure workers were 11-20 times higher than those in the referent group. BDE-209 was the dominant congener. The highest concentration of BDE-209 was observed among the electronic waste dismantling workers, and it was 3436 ng g(-1) lipid weight (ng g(-1) l.w.), which is the highest concentration of BDE-209 in humans worldwide. Some higher brominated PBDE congeners such as BDE-197, BDE-207 and BDE-208 also showed elevated concentrations in dismantling workers. This study confirms that BDE-209 is released to the environment and can bioaccumulate in the blood of electronic waste dismantling workers, and extensive occupational exposure to PBDEs leads to elevated concentrations of all PBDE congeners in serum.     

Inverse age-dependent accumulation of decabromodiphenyl ether and other PBDEs in serum from a general adult population

Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including the decabromodiphenyl congener (BDE-209), were determined in the serum of 731 individuals from a general adult population (18–74 years) collected in 2002 in Catalonia (north-eastern Spain). The BDE-209 was the predominant congener (median 3.7 ng/g lipid) followed by BDE-47 (2.6 ng/g lipid) and BDE-99 (1.2 ng/g lipid). PBDEs in this population (median 15.4 ng/g lipid) ranked amongst the highest of previously described concentrations in populations in Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia, yet it was lower than those found in North American reports. Age was clearly the socio-demographic factor of highest influence on the PBDE distributions. However, unlike usual trends of higher accumulation of POPs through age, the higher concentrations were found in young individuals (< 30 years) rather than in adults (≥ 30 years), with differences of 14%, 31% and 46% in the most abundant congeners (i.e. BDE-209, BDE-99 and BDE-47, respectively). This age-dependent distribution of PBDEs (including the case for BDE-209, which is shown for the first time in this study) is explained by the higher and widespread use of these compounds since the 1980s. In view that these compounds remain highly used, this accumulation pattern is likely to evolve, anticipating an increasing level of PBDE concentrations in future general population surveys, yet probably assuming an age-dependent increase pattern. Socio-economic level was also a determinant of BDE-47 concentrations, but only relevant for the least affluent class, suggesting that lifestyle and environmental conditions in the dwelling place may also contribute to exposure. Nonetheless, gender, body mass index, place of birth, parity and education level did not show any statistically significant influence on the observed PBDE distributions.     

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in matched samples of indoor dust and breast milk in New Zealand

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are present in many consumer goods. There is evidence that PBDEs are toxic to humans, particular young children. The purpose of this study was to assess indoor dust as an exposure source for PBDEs. Concentrations of 16 PBDEs were determined in dust samples from 33 households in New Zealand, and in breast milk samples from 33 mothers living in these households. Associations between dust and breast milk PBDE concentrations were assessed, and children's PBDE intake from breast milk and dust estimated. Influences of household and demographic factors on PBDE concentrations in dust were investigated. Indoor dust concentrations ranged from 0.1 ng/g for BDE17 to 2500 ng/g for BDE209. Breast milk concentrations were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with mattress dust concentrations for BDE47, BDE153, BDE154, and BDE209 and with floor dust for BDE47, BDE183, BDE206, and BDE209. The correlation for BDE209 between dust and breast milk is a novel finding. PBDE concentrations in floor dust were lower from households with new carpets. The estimated children's daily intake of PBDEs from dust and breast milk was below U.S. EPA Reference Dose values. The study shows that dust is an important human exposure source for common PBDE formulations in New Zealand.     

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in matched samples of human milk,dust and indoor air

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are lipophilic, persistent pollutants found worldwide in environmental and human samples. Exposure pathways for PBDEs remain unclear but may include food, air and dust. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrated assessment of PBDE exposure and human body burden using 10 matched samples of human milk, indoor air and dust collected in 2007–2008 in Brisbane, Australia. In addition, temporal analysis was investigated comparing the results of the current study with PBDE concentrations in human milk collected in 2002–2003 from the same region.PBDEs were detected in all matrices and the median concentrations of BDEs -47 and -209 in human milk, air and dust were: 4.2 and 0.3 ng/g lipid; 25 and 7.8 pg/m³; and 56 and 291 ng/g dust, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between the concentrations of BDE-99 in air and human milk (r = 0.661, p = 0.038) and BDE-153 in dust and BDE-183 in human milk (r = 0.697, p = 0.025). These correlations do not suggest causal relationships — there is no hypothesis that can be offered to explain why BDE-153 in dust and BDE-183 in milk are correlated. The fact that so few correlations were found in the data could be a function of the small sample size, or because additional factors, such as sources of exposure not considered or measured in the study, might be important in explaining exposure to PBDEs. There was a slight decrease in PBDE concentrations from 2002–2003 to 2007–2008 but this may be due to sampling and analytical differences. Overall, average PBDE concentrations from these individual samples were similar to results from pooled human milk collected in Brisbane in 2002–2003 indicating that pooling may be an efficient, cost-effective strategy of assessing PBDE concentrations on a population basis.The results of this study were used to estimate an infant's daily PBDE intake via inhalation, dust ingestion and human milk consumption. Differences in PBDE intake of individual congeners from the different matrices were observed. Specifically, as the level of bromination increased, the contribution of PBDE intake decreased via human milk and increased via dust. As the impacts of the ban of the lower brominated (penta- and octa-BDE) products become evident, an increased use of the higher brominated deca-BDE product may result in dust making a greater contribution to infant exposure than it does currently.To better understand human body burden, further research is required into the sources and exposure pathways of PBDEs and metabolic differences influencing an individual's response to exposure. In addition, temporal trend analysis is necessary with continued monitoring of PBDEs in the human population as well as in the suggested exposure matrices of food, dust and air.     

Determinants of brominated flame retardants in breast milk from a large scale Norwegian study

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), particularly polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are widely present in human populations. In order to investigate human exposure pathways and associations with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, 393 breast milk samples from mothers living in various regions throughout Norway were analyzed. Up to ten PBDE congeners were measured in all the samples, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and BDE-209 in subsets of 310 and 46, respectively. The median concentrations of the sum of the seven most prominent PBDEs (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154 and 183), BDE-209 and HBCD were 2.1, 0.32 and 0.86 ng/g lipids, respectively. These concentrations are comparable to the levels generally observed in human populations in Europe. The frequency distributions were quite skewed with long tails towards higher concentrations. Maternal age, parity, education, having a cohabitant employed as electrician, and ventilation were factors significantly associated with some of the BFRs, although these factors only explained a small amount of the variability (R² 0.04–0.16). The mothers' diet was not found to influence the breast milk PBDE and HBCD levels. Our results show that sources other than the diet are important for the variability seen in breast milk BFR concentrations and that exposure from the indoor atmosphere should be emphasized in future studies.     

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol in human placental tissues

Legacy environmental contaminants such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely detected in human tissues. However, few studies have measured PBDEs in placental tissues, and there are no reported measurements of 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP) in placental tissues. Measurements of these contaminants are important for understanding potential fetal exposures, as these compounds have been shown to alter thyroid hormone regulation in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we measured a suite of PBDEs and 2,4,6-TBP in 102 human placental tissues collected between 2010 and 2011 in Durham County, North Carolina, USA. The most abundant PBDE congener detected was BDE-47, with a mean concentration of 5.09 ng/g lipid (range: 0.12–141 ng/g lipid; detection frequency 91%); however, 2,4,6-TBP was ubiquitously detected and present at higher concentrations with a mean concentration of 15.4 ng/g lipid (range:1.31–316 ng/g lipid; detection frequency 100%). BDE-209 was also detected in more than 50% of the samples, and was significantly associated with 2,4,6-TBP in placental tissues, suggesting they may have a similar source, or that 2,4,6-TBP may be a degradation product of BDE-209. Interestingly, BDE-209 and 2,4,6-TBP were negatively associated with age (r_s = − 0.16; p = 0.10 and r_s = − 0.17; p = 0.08, respectively). The results of this work indicate that PBDEs and 2,4,6-TBP bioaccumulate in human placenta tissue and likely contribute to prenatal exposures to these environmental contaminants. Future studies are needed to determine if these joint exposures are associated with any adverse health measures in infants and children.     

Tissue-specific accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) including Deca-BDE and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in harbor seals from the northwest Atlantic

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are widely used flame retardants that enter coastal waters from multiple sources and biomagnify in marine food webs. PBDEs have been detected at relatively high concentrations in harbor seals, apex predators in the northwest Atlantic. Whereas tri- to hexa-BDEs readily biomagnified from prey fishes to seal blubber, Deca-BDE (BDE-209) did not biomagnify in blubber. To explore tissue-specific differences in the accumulation/biomagnification of BFRs, we analyzed tri- to Deca-BDES in liver of 56 harbor seals (6 adult males, 50 pups), and compared hepatic concentrations and biomagnification potential with those in blubber. HBCDs were analyzed in seal liver and blubber to enable similar comparisons. Hepatic ΣPBDE (tri- to Octa-BDE) concentrations (range 35–19,547 ng/g lipid weight, lw) were similar to blubber concentrations, while α-HBCD levels in seal liver (range 2–279 ng/g lw) were significantly higher than levels in blubber. Tissue distribution of PBDEs and α-HBCD varied significantly by age and, surprisingly, by gender among the pups. Biomagnification of α-HBCD from fish to seal liver and blubber was negligible to low, implying that harbor seals can metabolize this persistent isomer. Similar to the patterns in blubber, tri- through hexa-BDEs were highly biomagnified from fish to seal liver. In contrast, BDE-209 concentrations in liver were up to five times higher than those in blubber, which is consistent with observations that BDE-209 migrates to perfused tissues such as the liver in biota. Although detection frequency was low, BDE-209 levels in seal liver were up to ten times higher than those in their prey fish, suggesting that the accumulation/biomagnification of Deca-BDE in marine food webs is tissue-specific. As BDE-209 is the dominant PBDE found in marine sediments, its biomagnification in marine ecosystems is of concern.     

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human semen

Some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been found in human semen but until this point it was unclear whether polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) could be detected in human semen. In this study, PBDEs were found for the first time in human semen samples (n = 101) from Taizhou, China. The concentrations of total PBDEs (∑ PBDEs) varied from 15.8 to 86.8 pg/g ww (median = 31.3 pg/g ww) and 53.2 to 121 pg/g ww (median = 72.3 pg/g ww) in semen and blood samples, respectively. The ∑ PBDE level in semen was about two times lower than in human blood, which was different in the distribution in the two matrices from other POPs. A correlation of ∑ PBDE concentration was found between paired semen and in blood. The results suggest that semen could be used to detect PBDE burden in human body as a non-invasive matrix. In addition, the levels of BDE-209 and BDE-153, especially the latter, were much higher in blood than in semen, while the levels of BDE-28, BDE-47 and BDE-99 were comparable in the two matrices, suggesting that low brominated congeners could be more easily transferred to semen than high brominated congeners. Considering different toxicities among the PBDE congeners, it might be more significant to measure PBDEs in semen than in blood for evaluating male reproduction risks of PBDEs.     

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk from central Taiwan and their relation to infant birth outcome and maternal menstruation effects

In utero exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) reduces the number of ovarian follicles in rat females and causes permanent effects on rat males. Little data have been gathered on the associations between PBDEs exposure and birth outcome and female menstruation characteristics in both epidemiological and animal studies. The aim of this study was to examine how PBDEs in breast milk are associated with infant birth outcome and maternal menstruation characteristics. Study participants were healthy women recruited from central Taiwan between December 2000 and November 2001. Twelve congener levels of PBDEs (BDE-17, 28, 47, 66, 85, 99, 100, 138, 153, 154, 183, 209) in 20 breast milk samples were measured by gas chromatography with high resolution mass spectrometer. The mean level of PBDEs in breast milk was 3.93+/-1.74 ng/g lipid. The estimated PBDE daily intake for a breastfed infant was 20.6 ng/kg b.w./day after delivery. After maternal age, pre-pregnant BMI, and parity were adjusted, increased PBDEs in breast milk was related with decreased birth outcome, particularly for birth weight and length, chest circumference, and Quetelet's index of infants. No significant differences in PBDEs were found between the two groups of menstrual cycle length higher and lower than 30 days after we adjusted for maternal age, pre-pregnant BMI, and parity. In utero exposure to low doses of PBDEs may result in lower birth weight and short or birth length. Our findings are limited based on the low doses of PBDEs and the small sampling size.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in human samples of mother–newborn pairs in South China and their placental transfer characteristics

There are limited data concerning the placenta transfer characteristics and accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in infants. However, PBDEs received increasing health concerns due to their endocrine disrupt and neurodevelopment toxicity effects. The present study assessed the accumulation of PBDEs in 30 paired placenta, breast milk, fetal cord blood, and neonatal urine samples collected from five major cities of the South China. The age of mothers ranged from 21 to 39 (mean 27.6 ± 4.56). The ∑ PBDE concentrations were 15.8 ± 9.88 ng g^− 1 lipid in placenta, 13.2 ± 7.64 ng g^− 1 lipid in breast milk, 16.5 ± 19.5 ng g^− 1 lipid in fetal cord blood, and 1.80 ± 1.99 ng ml^− 1 in neonatal urine. BDE-47 was the predominant congener in all types of human sample. Octa-BDEs such as BDE-196/-197 were detected highly in placenta and cord blood while moderately in breast milk and neonatal urine. Significant (p < 0.01) correlations were observed for both total and most individual PBDEs in cord blood–maternal placenta and breast milk–urine paired individual samples. The extent of placental transfer of higher brominated BDEs such as BDE-196/-197 was greater than that of BDE-47. The estimated daily intake (EDI) analysis for breast-fed infants revealed that newborns in these areas were exposed to relatively high levels of PBDEs via breast milk. Our study not only provided systematic fundamental data for PBDE distribution but also revealed the placenta transfer characteristics of PBDE congeners in South China.     

Predominance of BDE-209 and other higher brominated diphenyl ethers in eggs of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) colonies from Spain

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous pollutants for which there is still a lack of knowledge about the environmental behavior and fate of the higher brominated congeners (octa- to deca-BDEs). In this study, the PBDE content and congener profiles in failed eggs from two colonies of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) in Spain were studied. The average total PBDE concentration was 1.64ng/g (wet weight, w.w.) for the rural colony and 9.08ng/g (w.w.) for the urban colony. Higher brominated BDEs dominated the congener profiles of both colonies. Of particular interest was the determination of BDE-209 as the dominant congener accounting for 44.1% and 38.6% of the total PBDE content in the rural and urban colonies, respectively. BDE-202, considered an indicator of BDE 209 debromination, was detected in 83% and all of the samples from rural and urban colonies, respectively. The observed congener profile in which BDE-207>BDE-208>BDE-206 does not correspond to any known technical PBDE mixture and is evidence for possible BDE-209 degradation.     

Concentrations of PCDD/Fs,PCBs and PBDEs in breast milk of women from Catalonia,Spain: A follow-up study

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in breast milk from women living in the vicinity of a new hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Catalonia, Spain. The results were compared with the levels obtained in two previous surveys carried out in 1998 (baseline study) and 2002. The current concentrations of PCDD/Fs in breast milk ranged from 45 to 143 pg/g fat (2.8 to 11.2 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat), while total PCBs ranged from 114 to 617 pg/g fat (2.8 to 17.6 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat). PBDE concentrations (sum 15 congeners) ranged from 0.57 ng/g fat to 5.9 ng/g fat, with a mean value of 2.5 ng/g fat. A general decrease of the concentrations for PCDD/Fs and both planar and total PCBs was observed. Regarding to PBDE concentrations in breast milk, similar levels between the 2002 and the present study were noted. The levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in milk of women living in urban areas were higher than those corresponding to the industrial zones (38% and 40%, respectively). However, the current PBDE levels were slightly lower (13%) in the urban than in the industrial zone. For PCDD/Fs and PCBs, the current decreases are in accordance with the reduction in the dietary intake of these pollutants found in recent studies carried out in the same area of study.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in human breast adipose samples from Brazil

Twenty five human breast adipose tissue samples were collected in Porto Alegre, Brazil during 2004-2005 and analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). SigmaPBDE concentrations (sum of tri- to hepta-BDEs) ranged from 0.19 to 132 ng/g lipid with a median of 1.51 ng/g lipid. These concentrations are 3- to 100-times lower than those reported from other countries, with the exception of Japan, probably reflecting lower usage of PBDE-containing products or lower exposures to these chemicals. The predominant congener was BDE-47, followed by BDEs 99, 183, 153 and 100. One individual in the dataset had about 70-times higher PBDE concentrations than the rest of the participants. SigmaPCB (sum of PCBs 118, 138, 153, 180) ranged from 30 to 339 ng/g lipid, with a median of 51 ng/g lipid. No age dependency was found for PBDEs (r=-0.800-0.374, p>0.05) or PCB 180 (r=0.278, p>0.05). On the other hand, PCBs 118, 138 and 153 did show age dependency (r=0.410-0.458, p<0.05). This is the first study to report levels of PBDEs in human breast adipose from Brazil.     

Levels of dechlorane plus and polybrominated diphenylethers in human milk in two Canadian cities

Flame retardant dechlorane plus (DP) and several polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE) congeners have been measured in 87 human milk samples collected in two Canadian cities: Kingston and Sherbrooke. The levels of PBDEs in human milk (mean (median), ng g^− 1 lipid weight = 10 (5.9), 4.1 (2.8), 3.0 (1.6), 5.12 (1.6), and 15 (ND) for BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, and BDE-209, respectively) were comparable to those reported in Europe, U.S.A. and China. The levels of DP, with a mean value of 0.98 ng g^− 1 and a median value of 0.60 ng g^− 1 (lipid weight), were two to ten times lower than those of concurrently measured major PBDEs including BDE-209. While there is little difference in the levels of measured contaminants in milk samples collected from the two cities, the contaminants levels in human milk show, indicated by Principal Components Analysis, that DP, deca-BDE, and penta-BDE come from three distinct sources. The mean and median isomer ratio values of DP in milk were 0.67 and 0.69, respectively, very similar to that of DP commercial products.     

Levels and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk from Shanghai: Implication for exposure route of higher brominated BDEs

Breast milk has been widely used as a bioindicator to assess the extent of human exposure to PBDEs via various exposure routes. In this study, 48 breast milk samples were collected from primiparous women in Shanghai city, and 14 PBDEs congeners (BDE-28, − 47, − 99, − 100, − 153, − 154, − 183, − 196, − 197, − 203, − 206, − 207, − 208, and − 209) were quantified using gas chromatography-electron capture negative ionization-mass spectrometry. The mean concentration of total PBDEs was 8.6 ng/g lipid weight, and ranged from 1.8 to 26.7 ng/g lipid weight. These concentration levels were similar to those reported in Europe and Asia, but one order of magnitude lower than those in North America. The congener profiles in this study exhibited a specific pattern in human milk found worldwide, BDE-153 and BDE-28 accounted for a relatively higher proportion of lower brominated BDEs (from tri- to hepta-BDEs), whereas higher brominated BDEs (from octa- to deca-BDEs) contributed more than 70% of the total PBDEs. The Spearman's correlation coefficient among higher brominated BDEs showed a positive relationship, and concentration levels of higher brominated BDEs were statistically different between office workers and housewives. Due to relatively higher proportion of PBDEs from octa- to deca-BDEs were detected, air inhalation and dust ingestion might be the major exposure routes of higher brominated BDEs. Further research is needed to clarify the major exposure route of higher brominated BDEs to humans.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels in dust from previously owned automobiles at United States dealerships

The levels of BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183, and BDE-209 were determined in the dust sampled from 60 automobiles that were available for resale at U.S. dealerships. The dominant congener in automobile dust was BDE-209 comprising 95% of the total PBDE levels with a median level of 48.1 µg g^? 1. Statistical analysis of the vehicle attributes indicates that the BDE-209 levels are different (p < 0.05) with respect to groupings by vehicle model year, vehicle manufacturer, and the country of manufacture. Vehicle dust samples contained the characteristic profile of the PBDE congeners that comprise the PentaBDE formulation. While DecaBDE use is banned in Maine and Washington and is targeted for restriction in the near future by six U.S. states, vehicles and airplanes are exempt from the ban. It is anticipated that the human exposure potential to PBDEs from automobile dust ingestion will continue for an indefinite future period in the U.S. population.     

The brominated flame retardants,PBDEs and HBCD,in Canadian human milk samples collected from 1992 to 2005; concentrations and trends

Human milk samples were collected from individuals residing in various regions across Canada mostly in the years 1992 to 2005. These included five large cities in southern Canada as well as samples from Nunavik in northern Quebec. Comparative samples were also collected from residents of Austin, Texas, USA in 2002 and 2004. More than 300 milk samples were analysed for the brominated flame retardants (BFRs), PBDEs and HBCD, by extraction, purification and quantification using either isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-MS. The Canadian total PBDE values in the years 2002–2005 show median levels of about 20 μg/kg on a lipid basis; a value significantly higher than in the 1980s and 1990s. Milk samples from Inuit donors in the northern region of Nunavik were slightly lower in PBDE concentrations than those from populated regions in the south of Quebec. Milk samples from Ontario contained slightly lower amounts of PBDEs in two time periods than those from Texas. HBCD levels in most milk samples were usually less than 1 ppb milk lipid and dominated by the α-isomer. This large data set of BFRs in Canadian human milk demonstrates an increase in the last few decades in human exposure to BFRs which now appears to have stabilized.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in free-range domestic fowl from an e-waste recycling site in South China: levels, profile and human dietary exposure

To evaluate the status of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contamination in poultry and sequentially human exposure through consumption of poultry in an e-waste recycling site in South China, two kinds of free-range domestic birds, chicken and duck, were collected and their muscle and liver tissues were analyzed for 16 PBDE congeners. Chicken shows higher PBDE concentrations (summation of 16 PBDE congeners) in both muscle and liver tissues, ranged from 5.7 to 4381 and from 1.5 to 7897 ng/g (lipid weight, the same hereinafter), respectively, compared to duck, ranged from 2.4 to 51 and from 1.9 to 134 ng/g. Different living habitat and feeding habits between the two species might be responsible for this observation. No sex-related differences in PBDE concentrations were found for the two species, while the PBDE concentrations in muscle were higher than those in liver for chicken. The PBDE concentrations in muscle of chicken in the present study were higher than the levels of PBDEs in chicken from other studies reported by far. BDE209 and nona-BDEs were the major congeners in poultry. Comparison of PBDE profiles between birds and environmental matrix implied that the biodebromination of BDE209 might occur in poultry. The intake of PBDEs through consumption of poultry ranges from 7.8 ng/day to 3582 ng/day with a medial 68 ng/day, which is comparable to the calculated values through consumption of all foodstuffs in other studies. The present study suggested that the total dietary PBDEs intake for local residents might be considerably enhanced due to the e-waste recycling activity.     

Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in dust from personal automobiles in conjunction with studies on the photochemical degradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209)

The levels of 21 PBDE congeners were detemined in the dust sampled from 66 personal automobiles. The dominant congener in automobile dust was BDE-209 with a median level of 8.12 μg g?1. Personal vehicle dust samples contained the characteristic profile of the PBDE congeners that comprise the PentaBDE and DecaBDE commercial formulations. Levels of PBDEs in personal automobiles are generally reduced in comparison to our previously reported levels in resale vehicles on dealership lots presumably due to a dilution effect introduced by dust or debris that does not originate from the vehicle. Laboratory photochemical studies were conducted on both automobile dust collected from personal vehicles as well as BDE-209 adsorbed to sodium sulfate. No significant degradation occurred in the personal vehicle dust after 56 days of constant UVA irradiation while significant degradation did occur with BDE-209 adsorbed to sodium sulfate. PBDEs from the degradation of BDE-209 were identified and potential degradation pathways elucidated. Human exposure potential to PBDEs from automobile dust ingestion remains a serious concern in the U.S. population.     

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and persistent organochlorines in Japanese human adipose tissues

The present study determined concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and persistent organochlorines (OCs) in Japanese human adipose tissues collected during 2003–2004. Concentrations of PBDEs in adipose tissues were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than those of OCs. However, observed PBDE congener levels in this study were relatively higher than those in Japanese human adipose tissues collected during 2000 reported previously, while OC levels were comparable to those in specimens collected during 1999 reported by our group. In addition, no age-dependent accumulation of PBDEs was observed, while OC levels except chlordane compounds increased with age. These results indicate recent human exposure to PBDEs in Japan. Among PBDE congeners accumulated in Japanese adipose tissues, BDE-153 was dominant, but this trend was different from those in human milk (BDE-47) and blood (BDE-209) reported previously in Japan, implying the congener-specific kinetics in human bodies. The significant positive correlations between PBDEs and OCs were observed in Japanese adipose tissues, indicating the similar exposure route of these contaminants for Japanese citizens, probably via fish intake.