tribromodiphenyl-ether-28 and decabromobiphenyl-ether

Jinsha (JSH) is one of the regional background sites in Central China. In this study, eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in atmospheric deposition samples (dry particle, wet particle, and wet dissolved), air (gaseous and particle) samples, and soil samples that were collected from March 2012 to March 2013. Of all eight PBDEs, BDE-209 was the most abundant congener in both deposition samples and air/soil samples. Average dry particle, wet particle, and wet dissolved deposition fluxes of Σ

Topics: China; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollution; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Soil

The aim of this study was to investigate levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk samples from healthy primiparous mothers who had lived in Kampala capital city (urban area) and Nakaseke district (a rural area) for the last five years. Fifty samples were collected between March and June 2018 and were extracted by dispersive solid-phase extraction (SPE). Clean-up was performed on an SPE column and analysis was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total (∑) PBDEs (BDE 28, 47, 49, 66, 77, 99, 100,138,153, 154, 183 and 209) ranged from 0.59 to 8.11 ng/g lipid weight (lw). The levels of PBDEs in samples from Kampala capital city were significantly higher than those from Nakaseke (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). The most dominant congeners were BDE-209 and -47 (contributed 37.1% and 20.2%, respectively to ∑PBDEs), suggesting recent exposure of mothers to deca-and penta-BDE formulations. Fish and egg consumption, plastics/e-waste recycling and paint fumes were associated with higher levels of BDE-47, -153 and -99, respectively, implying that diet and occupation were possible sources of the pollutants. Estimated dietary intakes (ng kg

Topics: Electronic Waste; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Infant; Maternal Exposure; Milk, Human; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Uganda

Surface sediment samples (n = 92) were collected from Hangzhou Bay to investigate the transport and deposition of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and to assess the ecological risks in Hangzhou Bay. The concentrations of ∑

Topics: Bays; China; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Hydrodynamics; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Risk Assessment; Water Pollutants, Chemical

Concentrations of 26 brominated flame retardants (BFRs), including 19 polybrominated diphenyl ethers congeners (PBDEs), 3 isomers of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), and 4 alternative BFRs (alt-BFRs; hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromphenoxy)ethane, and decabromodiphenylethane) were determined in outdoor settled dust and pine needles collected across mainland China. BFRs were extensively found in the two matrices, with mean total concentrations at 4090 and 314 ng/g dry weight (dw), in dust and pine needles, respectively. The total BFRs concentrations in dust significantly varied among three mixed-land-use categories, with mean concentrations of 74.3, 1284, and 25,525 ng/g dw in rural, urban, and point source areas, respectively. For PBDE congeners, dust samples contained predominantly BDE-209 (69.2% of the total BFRs), whereas lower brominated PBDEs such as BDE-28 (19.7%), -47 (11.0%), and -99 (12.2%) accounted for higher proportions in pine needles. Spatial distribution of BFRs showed distinct geographical signatures with the highest levels found in South Central China. Application of McLachlan's framework to our data suggested that the uptake of BFRs in pine needles was controlled primarily by kinetically limited gaseous deposition and by particle-bound deposition. Assessment on human exposure to BFRs through outdoor dust ingestion revealed a low risk for Chinese adults and toddlers.

Topics: Adult; Bromobenzenes; China; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Brominated; Pinus; Polybrominated Biphenyls

Many studies show that high levels of many toxic metals and persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals have been found in electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling sites and their surrounding environmental media. Both flame-retardant plastic housing materials and printed circuit boards (PCBs) could be the major contributors. However, relatively little work has focused on the use or content of toxic substances and their changing in scrap housing materials and PCBs from home appliances. This study evaluated the existence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA)) in housing plastics and PCBs from home appliances collected from various e-waste recyclers in China. These were then analyzed for the potential migration of BFRs from the e-waste components into their recycled products. The results show that both PBDEs and TBBPA were found with high level in most of e-waste samples, indicating that the widespread use of BFRs in home appliances are entering into the end-of-life stage. For the plastics samples, CRT TVs and LCD monitors should be given priority for the control of BFRs. Regarding PBDEs, the dominant congeners of BDE-209 in the plastics samples contributed 90.72-93.54% to the total concentrations of PBDEs, yet there are large variations for PCBs samples: BDE-28, -47, -99, and -153 were also important congeners compositions, except for BDE-209. Compared with previous studies, the BFRs concentrations in current Chinese e-waste are trending to decline. This study also found that BFRs in housing plastics and PCBs will be transferred into the recycled products with other purpose use, and the new products could have highly enriched capacities for BFRs. The obtained results could be helpful to manage e-waste and their components properly in order to minimize associated environmental and health risks of BFRs, particularly for their further reuse.

Topics: China; Electronic Waste; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polybrominated Biphenyls

Diet is considered as the most important human exposure pathway for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Metabolism and accumulation patterns of PBDEs in different growth periods of chickens are helpful for evaluating human dietary exposure, but such information is scarce. In this study, female chickens were fed with food spiked with BDE-209 at 85 mg kg

Topics: Adult; Animals; Chickens; Child; Diet; Dietary Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Food Contamination; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Liver; Meat; Polybrominated Biphenyls

Unregulated electronic waste (e-waste) recycling operations have become a significant environmental issue as well as human health risk in developing countries across the world. The present study evaluated the extent of pollution in Agbogbloshie e-waste recycling site in Accra, Ghana. The concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and some selected trace metals were determined using gas chromatography electron impact ionization mass spectrometry and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, respectively. The concentrations of ∑ PBDEs ranged from 15.6 to 96.8ngg

Topics: Adult; Child; China; Electronic Waste; Electronics; Environmental Monitoring; Ghana; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Metals, Heavy; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Recycling; Soil; Soil Pollutants; Trace Elements; Waste Disposal Facilities

This study evaluated decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) anaerobic debromination and bacterial community changes in mangrove sediment. BDE-209 debromination rates were enhanced with zerovalent iron compared to without zerovalent iron in the sediment. BDE-209 debromination rates in microcosms constructed with sediments collected in autumn were higher than in microcosms constructed with sediments collected in spring and were higher at the Bali sampling site than the Guandu sampling site. The intermediate products resulting from the reductive debromination of BDE-209 in sediment were nona-BDE (BDE-206, BDE-207), octa-BDEs (BDE-196, BDE-197), hepta-BDEs (BDE-183, BDE-184, BDE-191), hexa-BDEs (BDE-137, BDE-138, BDE-154, BDE-157), penta-BDEs (BDE-85, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-126), tetra-BDEs (BDE-47, BDE-49, BDE-66, BDE-77), tri-BDEs (BDE-17, BDE-28), and di-BDEs (BDE-15). Fifty bacterial genera associated with BDE-209 debromination were identified. Overall, 12 of the 50 bacterial genera were reported to be involved in dehalogenation of aromatic compounds. These bacteria have high potential to be BDE-209 debromination bacteria. Different combinations of bacterial community composition exhibit different abilities for BDE-209 anaerobic debromination.

Topics: Bacteria; Biodegradation, Environmental; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Wetlands

Although numerous studies have shown the presence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in various environmental media, attention to their distribution in the environmental media surrounding industrial facilities is limited. In this study, eight PBDEs congeners (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, -209) were investigated in surface soils and water samples collected from commercial PBDE manufacturers, flame-retardant plastic modification plants and waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling facilities in China. Analysis of target compounds was performed using the model NCI GC-MS in SIM mode. The concentrations of ∑8PBDEs varied from 193.1 to 22,004.3 ng/L in water samples and from 1209.3 to 226,906 ng/g dry wt in surface soils, respectively. More severe PBDE contamination, when compared with previously reported data, was found in industrial areas in this study. This indicates that these industrial areas are highly polluted with PBDEs. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, accounting for more than 94% in this study, except for a 68.75% portion at one site. Our results show that PBDE manufacturing and flame-retardant plastic modification plants, easily overlooked by the public, are two primary PBDE pollution sources although they affect surrounding areas. Further research is needed, aimed at managing industrial PBDE emissions and eliminating environmental PBDE pollution, to investigate the material flows and environmental fates of PBDEs in all stages of the life cycle.

Topics: China; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Pollution; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Industrial Waste; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Soil

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) and 5 novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) were measured in paired samples of kitchen and living room/bedroom dust sampled in 2015 from 30 UK homes. BDE-209 was most abundant (22-170,000 ng/g), followed by γ-HBCDD (1.7-21,000 ng/g), α-HBCDD (5.2-4,900 ng/g), β-HBCDD (2.3-1,600 ng/g), BDE-99 (2.6-1,440 ng/g), BDE-47 (0.4-940 ng/g), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) (nd-680 ng/g) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEH-TEBP) (2.7-630 ng/g). The concentrations in kitchens and living rooms/bedrooms are moderate compared with previous studies. Concentrations of BDE-209 in living room/bedroom dust were significantly lower and those of DBDPE significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to concentrations recorded in UK house dust in 2006 and 2007. This may reflect changes in UK usage of these BFRs. All target BFRs were present at higher concentrations in living rooms/bedrooms than kitchens. With the exception of BDE-28, pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) and DBDPE, these differences were significant (p < 0.05). No specific source was found that could account for the higher concentrations in living rooms/bedrooms.

Topics: Air Pollution, Indoor; Bromobenzenes; Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Halogenation; Housing; Hydrocarbons, Brominated; Polybrominated Biphenyls; United Kingdom

The gas and particle samples of eight cities were collected by high flow active air sampler in the Eastern and Western China and eight congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration of BDE-28 (tri-BDE) in the gas-phase (three bromide components) was the highest, which was different from previous studies where BDE-99 and-47 were the predominant homologues in the gas-phase while the concentration of BDE-209 [(25.4 ± 124) pg · m⁻³] in particle-phase was the highest. The atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs in Beijing and Guangzhou were relatively higher, especially the BDE-209 concentration in particle phases of Guangzhou was two orders higher than those of other cities. However, the atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs declined significantly when compared with the data from previous studies. Meanwhile, the results indicated that the gas-phase concentrations decreased slowly and the particle-phase concentrations decreased rapidly. Combined with the results of correlation analysis, this phenomenon might be ascribed to the ceased commercial production of penta- and octa-BDE, the light degradation of high bromide components and reduced concentrations of atmospheric particles in urban area. Inhalation exposure for infants was about 2-3 times higher than that of adults. This reflected that the potential health risk of atmospheric PBDEs in city for residents, especially infants and young children, should not be ignored.

Topics: Air Pollutants; Beijing; China; Cities; Environmental Monitoring; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Polybrominated Biphenyls

Due to widespread accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in our surroundings, it is important to clarify their fate in the environment and the options of their elimination. The aim of this study was to monitor the biodegradation of the most frequent congeners (BDE 28, 47, 49, 66, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209) under aerobic condition by indigenous microflora in 2 industrially contaminated sewage sludge samples. BDE 209 was detected as the predominating congener in concentrations 685 ng/g and 1403 ng/g dry weight in sewage sludge from WWTPs (waste water treatment plants) Hradec Kralove and Brno, respectively. The total amount of 10 lower PBDEs was 605 and 205 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The aerobic degradation was significantly enhanced by the addition of yeast extract and 4-bromobiphenyl. The total concentrations of all 11 PBDE congeners were lowered and their elimination was detected reaching 62–78% of their initial amounts after 11 months of cultivation. The degradation of most abundant congener BDE 209 followed the first-order kinetics with constant detected between 2.77 × 10(−3) d(−1) and 3.79 × 10−(3)d(−1) and the half-lives of BDE 209 degradation ranged between 6.0 and 8.2 months. This work clearly demonstrates that both lower brominated PBDEs as well as the major representative BDE 209 could be successfully removed from municipally contaminated sludge under aerobic conditions.

Topics: Aerobiosis; Biodegradation, Environmental; Czech Republic; Environmental Monitoring; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Sewage; Wastewater; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Water Purification

Our aim of this study was to characterize the exposure pattern of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs) in human placenta and assess their potential effects on neonates. Placenta samples were obtained from a typical e-waste area in Guiyu and a reference area in Haojiang, China. The median ΣPBDE concentration was 32.25 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in placenta samples from Guiyu, and 5.13 ng/g lw from Haojiang. BDE-209 predominated in placenta samples, followed by BDE-28, -47, -99 -153, -183. Residence in Guiyu contributed the most to elevated PDBE levels. Neonatal physiological indices, including bodymass index (BMI), Apgar 1 score and head circumference, were reduced in Guiyu group. No significant difference was found in neonatal weight between the two groups, but neonatal body length in Guiyu was increased. Our data suggest prenatal exposure to PBDEs is high at the e-waste recycling area, and may lead to adverse physiological development in the fetus.

Topics: China; Electronic Waste; Female; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Hazardous Substances; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Exposure; Placenta; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Pregnancy; Recycling

Human hair has been widely used as a bioindicator for human persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure, but studies on the sources of hair POPs and the relationship between hair and body burden are limited. This study analyzed the possible source apportionment of hair PBDEs and examined the relationship between PBDE concentrations in paired hair and serum from e-waste recycling workers. Using the ratio of BDE 99/47 and BDE 209/207 as indices, we calculated that only 15% of the highly brominated congeners (nona- and deca-BDE congeners) comes from exogenous (external) exposure for both female and male hair, but an average of 64% and 55% of the lower-brominated congeners (tetra- to penta-BDE congeners) come from exogenous exposure for female and male hair, respectively. The higher contribution of exogenous exposure for less-brominated congeners could be related to their relatively lower log KOW and higher volatility than higher-brominated congeners, which make them more readily to evaporate from dust and then to be adsorbed on hair. Higher hair PBDE levels and higher exogenous exposure of less-brominated congeners in females than in males can be attributed to a longer exogenous exposure time for females than males. Significant positive relationships were found in tri- to hepta-BDE congeners (BDE 28, 47, 66, 85, 100, 153, 154, and 183) (R = 0.36-0.55, p < 0.05) between hair and serum, but this relationship was not found for octa- to deca-BDE. Difference in the half-lives between highly brominated congeners and less-brominated congeners could be a reason. This result also implied that we should treat the results of correlation analyses between hair and other organs cautiously.

Topics: Adult; Body Burden; China; Dust; Electronic Waste; Environmental Monitoring; Female; Hair; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Recycling

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used extensively over the past 3 decades as flame retardants in most types of polymers, all over the world, have been identified as global pollutants. PBDEs pose various health problems such as thyroid hormone disruption, permanent learning and memory impairment, behavioral changes, hearing deficits, delayed puberty onset, fetal malformations, and possibly cancer. Many measurements of PBDEs in various matrices from Sweden, Holland, Japan, the USA, and elsewhere have been reported, but few measurements are available for India. In this study, a preliminary screening of different congeners of PBDEs has been performed in different old electronic and consumer products with an objective to build capacity in order to analyze PBDEs and BFRs. Six different samples, foam from upholstery, motherboard of a computer, children toy composite sample, old vanishing window blind sample, electrical wire sample, and PVC flooring sample, were collected and analyzed for the presence of the following PBDE congeners: BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183, and BDE-209. It was found that three out of six samples were positive for the presence of PBDEs. Three congeners were detected in the samples, i.e., BDE-47, BDE-153, and BDE-209, of which, highest concentration was of BDE-209. Among the samples, motherboard of computer showed the highest concentration of BDE-209 followed by window blind and foam from upholstery. The results of this preliminary investigation indicate that PBDEs are still present in the old consumer products which can be an important additional source of exposure to the population.

Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Flame Retardants; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Hazardous Substances; India; Manufactured Materials; Play and Playthings; Polybrominated Biphenyls

Industrial, domestic wastewater, and livestock sludge samples were collected from 23 wastewater treatment plants in Korea and analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations of Σ19PBDE ranged from 4.01 to 10,400 ng/g dry weight. The average Σ19PBDE concentrations in industrial, domestic wastewater, and livestock sludge were 1,560 ± 3,610, 402 ± 148, and 27.6 ± 50.4 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The composition of PBDEs differed according to the type of sludge. Among the PBDE congeners, BDE 209 was dominant in all sludge samples. After BDE 209, relatively high levels were found for BDE 28 and 47 from industrial sludge, BDE 47 and 99 from domestic wastewater sludge, and BDE 206, 207, and 208 from livestock sludge. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, sludges were divided into three groups according to PBDE congener composition. A risk assessment of PBDEs in sludge used for soil amendment was carried out. Preliminary results indicated that the potential risk of soil exposed to PBDEs in sludge was relatively low.

Topics: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Environmental Monitoring; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Republic of Korea; Risk Assessment; Sewage

The efficacy of using hair as a biomarker for exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants was assessed in humans and an animal model. Paired human hair and serum samples were obtained from adult men and women (n = 50). In parallel, hair, serum, liver, and fat were collected from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to increasing doses of the PBDE mixture found in house dust for 70 days via the diet. All samples were analyzed by GC-MS for eight common PBDEs: BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, and -209. Paired human hair and serum samples had five congeners (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, and -154) with significant individual correlations (0.345-0.566). In rat samples, BDE-28 and BDE-183 were frequently below the level of detection. Significant correlations were observed for BDE-47, -99, -100, -153, -154, and -209 in rat hair, serum, liver, and fat across doses, with r values ranging from 0.803 to 0.988; weaker correlations were observed between hair and other tissues when data from the lowest dose group or for BDE-209 were analyzed. Thus, human and rat hair PBDE measurements correlate strongly with those in alternative matrices, validating the use of hair as a noninvasive biomarker of long-term PBDE exposure.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Animals; Biomarkers; Diet; Dust; Environmental Exposure; Female; Flame Retardants; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Hair; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Liver; Male; Middle Aged; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tissue Distribution; Young Adult

Eight commonly occurring polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including BDE 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, 207, and 209, were investigated in water samples from seven major inflowing rivers of Lake Chaohu to determine the distribution characteristics, potential sources and inputs to the lake. The sum of 8 BDE congeners (Σ8PBDEs) had a concentration varied from 0.31 to 84 ng L(-1), with those of BDE 209, BDE 47, BDE 99, and BDE 153 being 0.31-83, <0.012-0.36, <0.012-1.3, and <0.012-0.77 ng L(-1), respectively. These levels were in the high range of the global PBDEs concentrations in the water environments. The highest concentrations of Σ8PBDEs were detected in the western rivers, of which the main pollution sources were strongly related to human activities in urban centers, such as automobile-derived wastes. A sewage treatment plant was likely an important source of the lower brominated BDEs input to one western river. The correlation analyses (all p<0.05) between PBDEs and DOC, TN, TP, and EC, suggested that the distributions and sources of PBDEs in rivers might also be related with the soil erosion by heave floods. Σ8PBDEs input to Lake Chaohu from the rivers outlets was estimated at 344 kg yr(-1) during the flood season. BDE 209 was the dominant contributor with an input of 340 kg yr(-1), followed by BDE 99 (1.3 kg yr(-1)), BDE 47 (0.83 kg yr(-1)) and BDE 153 (0.60 kg yr(-1)).

Topics: China; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Lakes; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Rivers; Water Pollutants, Chemical

Little is known about the fate of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) across the Oceans. Air and water were sampled using both active and passive polyethylene samplers on an east-west transect across the tropical Atlantic Ocean in 2009 and analyzed for PBDEs. Typical particle-bound concentrations of PBDEs in the surface water were low, at <1 pg L(-1). Truly dissolved concentrations from passive samplers were ∼0.5 pg L(-1) for BDE 47 and around 0.1 pg L(-1) for BDEs 28, 99, and 100 (results from active samples were compromised). In the atmosphere, particle-bound BDE 209 dominated overall concentrations (median 1.2 pg m(-3)), followed by BDE 99 (0.13 pg m(-3)). Gas-phase concentrations based on passive samplers were 1-8 pg m(-3) for BDE 47 and ≤ 4 pg m(-3) for BDE 99. Net air-water exchange gradients strongly favored gas-phase deposition of PBDEs into the water. Net gas-phase deposition fluxes ranged from tens of pg m(-2) day(-1) for BDEs 28 and 85 to around 1 ng m(-2) day(-1) for BDE 47, 99, and 209. Settling fluxes of particle-bound PBDEs in the atmosphere and surface water were around 50 pg m(-2) day(-1) for BDE 47 and <10 pg m(-2) day(-1) for the other congeners.

Topics: Air; Atlantic Ocean; Chlorophyll; Environmental Monitoring; Gases; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Particulate Matter; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Ships; Time Factors; Tropical Climate; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical

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.

Topics: Adult; China; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Male; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Semen; Young Adult

Human serum and mother's milk are frequently used to assess exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including transplacental transfer to the foetus. However, little is known about the kinetics of PBDEs, especially the highly brominated BDE congeners. In this pilot study, maternal serum samples were collected from 10 women at delivery and five to six weeks post partum. Umbilical serum was also obtained. Milk was donated two to five days, and five to six weeks after delivery. The amount of PBDEs in these samples was determined using liquid-liquid extraction and GC/MS. Low, moderately and highly brominated diphenyl ethers were present in umbilical cord serum, indicating placental transfer. The lipid-adjusted levels of BDE-47, BDE-207 and BDE-209 were similar in maternal and umbilical cord serum, whereas the cord serum levels for the penta- to octa-BDEs quantified were lower than in maternal serum. Marked changes were seen in the congener pattern in breast milk during the first month of lactation, whereas maternal serum levels did not change significantly. The general pattern was an enrichment of low to moderately brominated congeners (i.e. from BDE-17 to BDE-154, with the exception of BDE-28) in colostrum compared with maternal serum. In contrast, more highly brominated congeners were found at similar, or lower levels in colostrum than in maternal serum. After the transition from colostrum to mature milk, the levels of BDE-153 and BDE-209 were substantially reduced, and BDE-209 was below the limit of detection in 6 out of 9 samples. A literature review on the design and reporting of studies on the transfer of PBDEs from mother to infant revealed a lack of transparency in many cases. The use of the recently published STROBE-ME guidelines is therefore recommended.

Topics: Adult; Colostrum; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Pollution; Female; Fetal Blood; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal Exposure; Milk, Human; Pilot Projects; Polybrominated Biphenyls; Pregnancy; Young Adult

The uptake and elimination of six PBDE congeners (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -209) were studied in juvenile common sole (Solea solea L.) exposed to spiked contaminated food over a three-month period, then depurated over a five-month period. The results show that all of the studied PBDEs accumulate in fish tissues, including the higher brominated congener BDE-209. Several additional PBDE congeners were identified in the tissues of exposed fish, revealing PBDE transformation, mainly via debromination. The identified congeners originating from PBDE debromination include BDE-49 and BDE-202 and a series of unidentified tetra-, penta-, and hepta- BDEs. Contaminant assimilation efficiencies (AEs) were related to their hydrophobicity (log Kow) and influenced by PBDE biotransformation. Metabolism via debromination appears to be a major degradation route of PBDEs in juvenile sole in comparison to biotransformation into hydroxylated metabolites.

Topics: Animals; Biotransformation; Diet; Environmental Monitoring; Flatfishes; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Polybrominated Biphenyls