Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in US meat, poultry, and siluriformes: 2018-19 levels, trends, and estimated consumer exposures

Human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of brominated flame retardants, can occur through consumption of contaminated foods. Since 2007, U.S. meat and poultry samples (beef, pork, chicken, turkey) have been collected every 5 years to assess PBDE levels and consumer exposure to seven PBDEs. Mean ∑PBDE concentrations from beef, pork, chickens, turkeys, dairy cows, and siluriformes (catfish) were 0.19, 0.48, 0.11, 0.60, 0.28 ng/g lipid weight (lw), and 2.5 ng/g wet weight (ww). The ΣPBDEs for all meat classes ranged from 0.005 to 17.7 ng/g lw. Comparison of the 2018-19 survey to the 2007-08 and 2012-13 surveys revealed an overall decrease in the median ΣPBDE residue for all four meat classes with significant reductions in the medians, at 40 - 45%, for pork, chicken, and turkey. As in the previous surveys, BDEs 47 and 99 had higher percentage contributions to the ΣPBDE concentrations than other PBDE congeners, which indicated the penta-BDE formulation was a likely exposure source for animals. An estimate of U.S. consumer daily intake of PBDEs from meat and poultry was 5.0 ng/day which is a decrease from the 2012-13 survey of 6.4 ng/day.

Development of QuEChERS based on the Z-Sep+and DLLME method for analysis of PBDEs in chicken eggs by GC-MS/MS

A sensitive, straightforward, and environmentally sustainable method was developed and validated for the quantification of 13 PBDEs in chicken eggs using gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The QuEChERS approach, combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), was applied for sample preparation. Egg samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified using Z-Sep + adsorbent. Tetrachloroethane was selected as the extraction solvent for the DLLME step. All PBDEs exhibited strong linearity, with R > 0.999 within the range of 0.20-10.0 ng/mL, and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 10.0 pg/g. Apparent recoveries of PBDEs ranged from 85.2 % to 105.7 %. A total of 119 chicken eggs were analyzed using the developed method. BDE-47 and BDE-99 showed relatively high detection rates of 38.6 % and 24.4 %, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) values for BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-153 congeners remained well below 1.0, indicating no significant health risk from egg consumption.

A comprehensive assessment of external exposure to persistent halogenated organic pollutants for residents in an e-waste recycling site, South China

Human skin wipes from 30 participants, air, dust, and food items were collected from a former electronic waste site in South China to provide a comprehensive understanding of residents' exposure to halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The total concentration of halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) in the dust, air, food and skin wipes ranged 240-25000 ng/g, 130-2500 pg/m3, 0.08-590 ng/g wet weight, and 69-28000 ng/m2, respectively. Wild fish, vegetables, and air were dominated by PCBs, whereas dust, livestock, and poultry were dominated by HFRs. The HOP concentrations were several orders of magnitude higher in local foodstuffs than in market foodstuffs. The chemical composition on the forehead was remarkably different from that on the hand. The importance of different exposure routes depends on the residents' food choices, except decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE). For residents who consumed a 100-foot diet (mainly egg) and local wild fish, diet ingestion overwhelmed other exposure routes, and PCBs were mainly contributed by fish and HFRs by egg. For residents who consumed market food, the dermal absorption of most PCB congeners and dust ingestion of highly brominated flame retardants were relatively prominent. Inhalation was found to be a crucial route for pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB).

Update of the risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in food, focusing on 10 congeners: BDE-28, -47, -49, -99, -100, -138, -153, -154, -183 and ‑209. The CONTAM Panel concluded that the neurodevelopmental effects on behaviour and reproductive/developmental effects are the critical effects in rodent studies. For four congeners (BDE-47, -99, -153, -209) the Panel derived Reference Points, i.e. benchmark doses and corresponding lower 95% confidence limits (BMDLs), for endpoint-specific benchmark responses. Since repeated exposure to PBDEs results in accumulation of these chemicals in the body, the Panel estimated the body burden at the BMDL in rodents, and the chronic intake that would lead to the same body burden in humans. For the remaining six congeners no studies were available to identify Reference Points. The Panel concluded that there is scientific basis for inclusion of all 10 congeners in a common assessment group and performed a combined risk assessment. The Panel concluded that the combined margin of exposure (MOET) approach was the most appropriate risk metric and applied a tiered approach to the risk characterisation. Over 84,000 analytical results for the 10 congeners in food were used to estimate the exposure across dietary surveys and age groups of the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary Lower Bound exposure to PBDEs were meat and meat products and fish and seafood. Taking into account the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the Panel concluded that it is likely that current dietary exposure to PBDEs in the European population raises a health concern.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling of BDE-209 following oral exposure in Chinese population

The wide usage of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) as additive brominated flame retardant has caused its widespread occurrence in the environment and high exposure risk in humans. Estimating its internal exposure dose and reconstruction of external exposure dose using physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling approach is a key step in the risk assessment of BDE-209. However, the PBPK model for BDE-209 is currently unavailable. This study has established two oral permeability-limited PBPK models of BDE-209 without enterohepatic recirculation (EHR) (model 1) and with EHR (model 2) for Chinese population. Using the in vitro experiments, the average binding of BDE-209 to human plasma protein (99.64% ± 2.97%) was obtained. Moreover, blood sample analysis and systematic literature review were performed to obtain internal and external exposure data of BDE-209 used for model calibration and validation. The predictions of both models were within 2-fold of the observed, and a longer half-life of serum BDE-209 was observed in model 2 than model 1. Based on the models, a human biomonitoring guidance value (HBM-GV) of 93.61 μg/g lw was derived for BDE-209, and there is no health risk found for Chinese population currently. This study provides new quantitative assessment tools for health risk assessment of BDE-209.

Potential Health Risk to Brazilian Infants by Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Exposure via Breast Milk Intake

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous flame retardants and are environmentally persistent. PBDEs show endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and lower birth weight in infants, and their human body burden has become a public health concern. The infants' exposure begins in the prenatal period and continues via breast milk ingestion, although, little is known about the factors that may influence this exposure. In this study, PBDE levels in Brazilian breast milk were assessed in 200 lactating women. The risk assessment of infants' exposure to PBDE was performed through the estimated daily intake (EDI) calculation. The geometric mean (GM) of ∑_PBDEs levels was 2.33 (0.14-6.05) ng/g wet weight. At least one PBDE congener was detected in the samples, and the 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) showed a 100% of detection rate (GM of 1.05 ng/g). Location of residence, maternal level education, monthly salary, and race were positively associated with PBDE levels (p < 0.05). The EDI of BDE-47 was higher in Belo Horizonte (8.29 ng/kg/day) than in Viçosa (6.36 ng/kg/day), as well as for the ∑_PBDEs (19.77 versus 12.78 ng/kg/day) (p < 0.05). Taking the high detection rate of PBDEs in breast milk and their toxicity, continuous studies on infant exposure, fetal growth, and child neurodevelopment are requested.

Human exposure to PBDEs in e-waste areas: A review

Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are commonly added to electronic products for flame-retardation effects, and are attracting more and more attentions due to their potential toxicity, durability and bioaccumulation. This study conducts a sysmtematic review to understand the human exposure to PBDEs from e-waste recycling, especially exploring the exposure pathways and human burden of PBDEs as well as investigating the temporal trend of PBDEs exposure worldwide. The results show that the particular foods (contaminated fish, poultry, meat and breast milk) ingestion, indoor dust ingestion and indoor air inhalation may be key factors leading to human health risks of PBDEs exposure in e-waste recycling regions. Residents and some vulnerable groups (occupational workers and children) in e-waste recycling areas may face higher exposure levels and health risks. PBDE exposure is closely related to exposure level, exposure duration, e-waste recycling methods, and dietary customs. High levels of PBDEs are found in human tissues (breast milk, hair, blood (serum), placenta and other tissues) in e-waste areas, at far higher levels than in other areas. Existing data indicate that PBDE exposure levels do not present any apparent downward trend, and will possibly cause serious human diseases. More epidemiological studies are still needed to provide a solid basis for health risk assessment.

Children's exposure to hazardous brominated flame retardants in plastic toys

We report concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in 23 plastic samples from 20 new and second-hand children's toys sourced from the UK that had been previously shown to be Br-positive by XRF. The results reinforce existing evidence that the recycling of BFR-treated electronic plastics has led to the unintentional BFR contamination of articles not required to be flame-retarded. The principal BFRs detected were PBDEs (and in particular BDE-209), HBCDD and TBBP-A. PBDEs were detected in all samples with a maximum concentration of BDE-209 of 2500 mg/kg, and while TBBP-A was detected in 11 samples with a maximum concentration of 3100 mg/kg. HBCDD was detected in 14 cases and was present in four toys at concentrations (139-840 mg/kg) that would currently prevent their sale on the EU market. While estimated exposures to PBDEs via accidental ingestion of toy plastic fell well below USEPA reference doses, a child weighing 8.67 kg and ingesting 8 mg/day of a toy (the default assumption of the European Commission's Toy Safety Directive for scraped-off toy material) contaminated at our arithmetic mean concentration would be exposed to 0.2 ng/kg bw/day BDE-99. This compares closely to a health-based limit value (HBLV) proposed in The Netherlands of 0.23-0.30 ng/kg bw/day BDE-99. Of greater concern, the same child playing with a toy contaminated at the maximum concentration in this study would be exposed to 1.4 ng/kg bw/day BDE-99, thereby exceeding the HBLV. This paper is the first to consider BFR exposure via incidental ingestion of plastic from both contemporary and historical toys, revealing it to be considerable and for some children their most significant pathway of exposure.

Estimating polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure through seafood consumption in Switzerland using international food trade data

Seafood is a major source of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The intake of these globally distributed and bioaccumulative contaminants depends on both consumption patterns (which seafoods are consumed) and on their origins. Here, we investigate exposure to PBDEs through seafood consumption as a function of species, origins and consumption levels. We estimate the contribution of seafood consumption to PBDE exposures in the Swiss population using two approaches. The first approach estimates exposures by estimating the composition of the Swiss seafood diet using trade data and national statistics on total seafood consumption. This naïve approach could be used for any country for which no individually reported consumption data are available for a population. The second approach uses dietary survey data provided by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office as part of the menuCH study for exposure estimates. To support region- and species-specific estimates of exposures for both approaches, we built a database of PBDE concentrations in seafood by analysis of published PBDE levels in fish from food markets or freshwater resources from various countries. We find estimated PBDE exposures ranging from 0.15 to 0.65 ng/kg bw/day for the trade data-based diet. These were close to the median exposures of 0.68 ng/kg bw/day for the Swiss population based on the menuCH survey, indicating that the composition and consumption rate derived from trade data are appropriate for calculating exposures in the average adult population. However, it could not account for PBDE exposures of more vulnerable (high seafood consuming) populations captured only by the survey data. All estimates were lower than the PBDE Chronic Oral Reference Doses (RfD's) suggested by the EPA, but could increase substantially to a value of 7 ng/kg bw/day if fish are sourced from the most contaminated origins, as in the case of Vietnamese shrimp/prawn, Norwegian salmon, and Swiss whitefish. Exposures as high as 8.50 ng/kg bw/day are estimated for the survey-based diet, which better captures the variability in consumption by individuals, including extreme high and low values. In general, the most frequently consumed species reported by Swiss consumers are consistent with those predicted using trade data.

Multicenter biomonitoring of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in colostrum from China: Body burden profile and risk assessment

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were listed in the Stockholm Convention due to their persistent and toxic nature. In utero exposure to PBDEs might affect fetal development as it is sensitive when exposed to even low dose of xenobiotic substances during the pregnancy. In this study, a multi-centre human biomonitoring study of tri-to hexa-BDEs was conducted in three Chinese cities using 60 colostrum samples from local residents. The patterns and influencing factors, correlation with the birth outcome, and potential health risks during the breastfeeding of tri-to hexa-BDEs in the colostrum samples were assessed. The median concentration of tri-to hexa-BDEs was 9.1 (Interquartile range: 3.1-19.5) ng g^-1 lipid weight, and BDE-153 contributed 68% of the detected PBDEs. The PBDE levels were mostly associated with maternal age and drinking water sources, while correlations with other factors including weight gain, BMI, parity and the number of aborted pregnancies was not significant. The level of BDE-28 was positively correlated with the birth weight, while the BDE-99 was positively correlated with the head circumference, using multilinear regression. For the total hazard quotients, 60% of the infants have an estimated value higher than 1, showed potential chronic hazard for future development and possible adverse health effects to the babies from the exposure to PBDE congeners. Alternative food source seems to have a lower risk for neonates than the colostrum, but the advantages of breastfeeding undoubtedly outweigh the risks and potential adverse health effects caused by environmental PBDEs and other xenobiotic chemical exposure.

Exposure to PBDEs associated with farm animal meat consumption

One of the ways to reduce the number of fires and the amount of damage caused by them is to use flame retardants (FRs). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), like other FRs, have been used in a wide array of easily flammable products. As they are not chemically bonded with materials, PBDEs can be released from polymers into the environment. PBDEs can act as endocrine disruptors and affect neurological and thyroid activity. Although human intake of PBDEs is mainly through food, data about meat as a PBDE source and human exposure through diet are limited. The objective of the present study was to develop a comprehensive database of congener-specific PBDE concentrations in farm animal muscle and to characterize potential consumer exposure. For exposure assessment, two consumption scenarios were used for adults and children. The dietary exposure to PBDE congeners is based on the assumed portion size of 100 g of different meat species. Calculations for the participants were performed using food consumption data of the Statistical Yearbook (2015/2016). The intake of PBDEs was estimated as the median (P50) and the average for all kinds of tested meat. For health risk assessment, the margin of exposure (MOE) approach was used. MOE values were in range from 5 to 149 352 132. The obtained results indicate that concentrations of ten tested congeners (BDE-28,47,49,99,100,138,153,154,183,209) in different kinds of farm animal meat (cow, chicken, farm deer, horse, ostrich, pig, rabbit, sheep, turkey) are low and meat consumption does not pose a risk for human health.

Dermal contact with furniture fabrics is a significant pathway of human exposure to brominated flame retardants

Despite extensive application in consumer products and concerns over their adverse health effects, how external exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) contributes to their human body burdens is not yet fully understood. While recent studies focused on inadvertent indoor dust ingestion and diet as potential major pathways of exposure, dermal uptake has been largely overlooked. We provide the first experimentally-based assessment of dermal uptake of BFRs via contact with indoor dust and flame-retarded furniture fabrics. Results reveal substantial uptake from furniture fabrics (e.g. 8.1 ng pentaBDE/kg bw/day for adults in summer), exceeding the overall adult intake of pentaBDE estimated previously via other exposure pathways. For HBCDs, despite the low absorption fraction (<2.5%) from the studied fabrics, the estimated dermal uptake of UK adults and toddlers (101 and 76.9 ng/kg bw/day) exceed the reported average daily intakes of 7.9 and 43.0 ng/kg bw/day for these UK age groups. Conversely, uptake from dust was low (0.05 and 0.19 ng pentaBDE/kg bw/day for adults and toddlers, respectively), indicating previous pharmacokinetic approaches may have overestimated the significance of this route. Future exposure and risk assessment studies should consider dermal contact with treated products as a significant pathway of human exposure to BFRs and related chemicals.

Concentrations of legacy and novel brominated flame retardants in indoor dust in Melbourne, Australia: An assessment of human exposure

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFR) have been used in a range of polymers to inhibit the spread of fires but also have a propensity to migrate out of consumer materials and contaminate indoor dust. In this study, a total of 57 dust samples were collected from 12 homes, eight offices and eight vehicles in Melbourne, Australia and analysed for eight PBDEs (-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183 and -209) and seven NBFRs (PBT, PBEB, HBB, EH-TBB, BEH-TEBP, BTBPE and DBDPE) to determine human exposure risks from dust ingestion. Samples were analysed using selective pressurized liquid extraction (S-PLE) and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Legacy and replacement flame retardants were detected in all samples with overall ∑PBDE concentrations ranging from 120 to 1700,000 ng/g (median 2100 ng/g) and ∑NBFRs ranging from 1.1 to 10,000 ng/g (median 1800 ng/g). BDE-209 and DBDPE were the dominant compounds in dust samples, followed by congeners associated with commercial Penta-BDE formulations (-47, -99, -100, -153 and -154) and then EH-TBB of the FireMaster 550 and BZ-54 products. ∑Penta-BDE concentrations were elevated in office samples compared with homes and vehicles, while EH-TBB and BDE-209 measured higher concentrations in vehicles compared with their respective levels in homes and offices. Risk assessment estimates revealed the majority of exposure to occur in the home for both adults and toddlers in the City of Melbourne. Generally, body weight adjusted exposure to PBDEs and NBFRs was predicted to be 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher for toddlers than adults. Estimated rates of BDE-47, -99, -153 and -209 ingestion were each 2 orders of magnitude or more below the USEPA's prescribed oral reference dose values (RfDs) for typical exposure scenarios. However, exposure rates for BDE-47 and -99 reached as high as 52 and 95% of RfDs, respectively, for adults and 4.4 and 7.4%, respectively, for toddlers in high exposure scenarios. This study provides the first wide-ranging survey of NBFRs in indoor dust from homes, offices and vehicles in Australia and offers further evidence of human exposure to legacy and novel brominated flame retardants via dust ingestion.

Occurrence of selected halogenated flame retardants in Belgian foodstuff

This paper reports on the occurrence of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), namely PBDEs, HBCDs, TBBPA, brominated phenols (BrPhs), dechlorane plus (DP) and emerging FRs in a variety of Belgian foodstuffs. A total of 183 composite food samples were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS techniques for the presence of HFRs. The analyses revealed that 72% of the samples was contaminated with HFRs to some extent. The highest number of contaminated samples was observed within the group 'Potatoes and derived products', 'Fish and fish products' and 'Meat and meat products', while the least contaminated group was 'Food for infants and small children'. The total HFR content ranged from <LOQ to 35.4 ng/g ww with an average content of 1.2 ng/g ww and median of 0.25 ng/g ww. The samples with the highest total HFR levels were canned king crab, fresh mackerel, Emmental cheese, fresh eel and plaice. The most frequently detected HFRs were PBDEs and BrPhs being present in almost all food groups, and among the individual HFRs, the most frequently found compounds were BDE-47 (53%), BDE-209 (46%) and 246-TBP (40%). TBBPA, DPs, TBPH and γ-HBCD occurred with a frequency of less than 5%. TBBPS, 26-DBP, HBB, TBB and BTBPE were not detected in any of the analyzed food samples.

Intake, distribution, and metabolism of decabromodiphenyl ether and its main metabolites in chickens and implications for human dietary exposure

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^-1, and the intake, accumulation, and excretion of BDE-209 and its main metabolites in various tissues were examined. Concentrations of BDE-209 in chicken tissues increased over time in a tissue-specific manner; they were the greatest in liver and generally the lowest in breast meat during the entire exposure period. The kinetic patterns were dependent on both growth-dilution effects and accumulated concentrations of BDE-209. Tissue concentrations of ∑₈PBDE (sum of BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, and 209) followed the sequence of liver > blood > skin > intestine > stomach > leg meat > breast meat. Different tissue partition coefficients and perfusion rates for blood may have resulted in different PBDE concentrations in tissues. The absorption efficiency of BDE-209 in chicken tissues followed the sequence of liver (0.15 ± 0.032%) > skin (0.14 ± 0.038%) > intestine (0.071 ± 0.021%) > breast meat (0.062 ± 0.020%) > leg meat (0.059 ± 0.016%) > stomach (0.021 ± 0.0095%), likely due in part to facilitated absorption of BDE-209 by transport proteins (P-glycoproteins). On average, 9.3 ± 1.7% of BDE-209 was excreted in feces. Estimated human average dietary intake via the consumption of chicken tissues of ∑₈PBDE for adults and children was 319 and 1380 ng day^-1 for liver, 211 and 632 ng day^-1 for leg meat, and 104 and 311 ng day^-1 for breast meat from the contaminated group. Liver clearly poses the highest exposure risk for human consumption, particularly if chickens are fed with contaminated feed.

Emerging and legacy flame retardants in UK human milk and food suggest slow response to restrictions on use of PBDEs and HBCDD

The legacy flame retardants (LFRs) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), together with six emerging flame retardants (EFRs) were measured in United Kingdom (UK) human milk collected in 2010 (n=25) and 2014-15 (n=10). These data are the first report of the presence of EFRs in UK human milk. The most abundant EFR was β-tetrabromoethylcyclohexane (DBE-DBCH) (average=2.5ng/g lw; geometric mean=1.5ng/g lw), which is comparable to the concentrations of the most abundant LFRs i.e. BDE 47 and α-HBCDD at 2.8 and 2.1ng/g lw, respectively (geometric mean=2.1 and 1.7). The estimated median dietary intake of ΣEFRs by UK nursing infants was 18ng/kg bw/day. EFRs were also measured in UK foodstuffs with β-DBE-DBCH again the predominant compound detected, accounting - on average - for 64.5±23.4% of ΣEFRs. Average estimated dietary intakes of ∑EFRs in the UK were 89 and 26ng/day (1.3 and 2.6ng/body weight/day) for adults and toddlers, respectively. Concentrations of Σtri-hexa BDEs in our UK food samples exceeded those reported in UK samples from the same food categories collected in 2003-04 and 2006. Despite this and our recent report elsewhere of significant temporal declines in concentrations of BDE 209 in UK indoor dust (p<0.05) and HBCDDs in UK indoor dust and air (p<0.001), no significant temporal differences (p>0.05) were observed between concentrations of Σtri-hexa BDEs, BDE 209 and HBCDDs in human milk sampled in 2010 and those obtained in 2014-15. UK adult body burdens for EFRs were predicted via inhalation, diet and dust ingestion using a simple pharmacokinetic model. The predicted EFR body burdens compared well with observed concentrations in human milk.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in US meat and poultry: 2012-13 levels, trends and estimated consumer exposures

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants whose use has contaminated foods and caused subsequent human exposures. To address the issue of possible human exposure, samples from a 2012-13 US meat and poultry (beef, pork, chicken, turkey) study were analysed for seven PBDEs. The mean summed concentrations of the seven BDE congeners (ΣPBDE) from beef, pork, chicken and turkey were 0.40, 0.36, 0.19, and 0.76 ng g^-1 lipid weight (lw). The range of ΣPBDEs for all meat classes was 0.01-15.78 ng g^-1 lw. A comparison of this study with a 2007-08 study revealed a decline in the median ΣPBDEs for all four meat classes, a reduction of 25.9% to 70.0%, with pork, chicken and turkey PBDE residues being statistically lower relative to the 2007-08 study. BDEs 47 and 99 contributed the most to the ΣPBDE concentrations, indicating likely animal exposures to the penta-BDE formulation. Based on the reported data an estimate of US consumer daily intake of PBDEs from meat and poultry was 6.42 ng day^-1.

The flame retardant 2,2',4,4'-Tetrabromodiphenyl ether enhances the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone in the placental cell model JEG-3

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are chemicals used as flame retardants in household products. After disposing of these items, PBDEs leach from the products by surface water. BDE-47 is a PBDE congener commonly isolated from contaminated food and is the most studied isomer. The placenta is the major source of hormones during pregnancy, and an elevated level of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) is associated with premature delivery. In the present study, we examined changes in the placental CRH expression under BDE-47 exposure in the JEG-3 cell model system. These placental cells are derived from human choriocarcinoma. Our result showed that this pollutant induced the CRH mRNA expression at 0.5 nM or above in the cells. A similar trend was observed when CRH peptide was determined by Western analysis in the cell lysates. As previous studies have shown the importance of signal transduction pathways in the gene regulation, the status of some protein kinases in the present study was investigated. The phosphorylated PKCα, JNK, and P38 were increased by the toxicant treatment, and administering the specific inhibitors could counteract the induced CRH expression. It appeared that the signaling transduction pathway of PKC was a significant contributor in the transcriptional regulation. Further study by using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay suggested that AP-2 was the ultimate DNA-binding element for the initiation of gene transcription. Because an untimely increased CRH may compromise fetal development and induce preterm birth, the present study suggested that endocrine changes in pregnancy should be taken into consideration in the next assessment.

Human Excretion of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Flame Retardants: Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study

Commonly used as flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are routinely detected in the environment, animals, and humans. Although these persistent organic pollutants are increasingly recognized as having serious health implications, particularly for children, this is the first study, to our knowledge, to investigate an intervention for human elimination of bioaccumulated PBDEs. Objectives. To determine the efficacy of blood, urine, and perspiration as PBDE biomonitoring mediums; assess excretion of five common PBDE congeners (28, 47, 99, 100, and 153) in urine and perspiration; and explore the potential of induced sweating for decreasing bioaccumulated PBDEs. Results. PBDE congeners were not found in urine samples; findings focus on blood and perspiration. 80% of participants tested positive in one or more body fluids for PBDE 28, 100% for PBDE 47, 95% for PBDE 99, and 90% for PBDE 100 and PBDE 153. Induced perspiration facilitated excretion of the five congeners, with different rates of excretion for different congeners. Conclusion. Blood testing provides only a partial understanding of human PBDE bioaccumulation; testing of both blood and perspiration provides a better understanding. This study provides important baseline evidence for regular induced perspiration as a potential means for therapeutic PBDE elimination. Fetotoxic and reproductive effects of PBDE exposure highlight the importance of further detoxification research.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDES) and hexa-brominated biphenyls (Hexa-BBs) in fresh foods ingested in Taiwan

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexa-brominated biphenyls (Hexa-BBs) are bioaccumulative and aggregate in the food chain. Therefore, background monitoring and risk assessment for dietary intake are necessary. In present study, a systematic sampling method was first used to collect the high fat content foodstuff such as poultry, livestock, eggs, fish, other seafood, dairy products, and the infant foods and then foodstuff with high consumption in seven categories of 600 food samples. After integrating four years of background surveys of PBDE levels (2010-2013) and one year of that of Hexa-BBs (2013), the highest estimated daily intake (EDI) of PBDEs for Taiwanese food consumption was found in 0- to 3-year-olds (mean = 9.38 ng kg-1 bw d-1, the 95% upper limit of Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS P95) was 21.52 ng kg-1 bw d-1), and the lowest in 16- to 18-year-old girls (mean = 3.35 ng kg-1 bw d-1, MCS P95 was 6.53 ng kg-1 bw d-1). Moreover, the highest of EDI of Hexa-BBs was found in 0-3 years old (mean = 0.007 ng kg-1 bw d-1, MCS P95 = 0.019 ng kg-1 bw d-1), and lowest in 17-18 years old female (mean = 0.002 ng/kg/day, MCS P95 = 0.005 ng kg-1 bw d-1). This study suggests that the large MOEs (>2.5) for the four important congeners BDE-47, -99, -153, and -209, indicate that the dietary exposures are not probably a significant health concern for Taiwanese.

Does the source migration pathway of HBCDs to household dust influence their bio-accessibility?

A study was conducted to assess the human bioaccessibility of dust contaminated with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) via two migration pathways a) volatilisation with subsequent partitioning to dust particles, and b) abrasion of treated textile fibres directly to the dust. This was achieved using previously developed experimental chamber designs to generate dust samples contaminated with HBCDs emitted from a HBCD treated textile curtain. The generated dust samples were exposed to an in vitro colon extended physiologically based extraction test (CE-PBET). The bioaccessibility of the HBCDs which were incorporated within dust as a result of volatilisation from the curtain material with subsequent partitioning to dust was higher than in dusts contaminated with HBCDs via abrasion of the curtain (35% and 15% respectively). We propose this occurs due to a stronger binding of HBCDs to treated fabric fibres than that experienced following volatilisation and sorption of HBCDs to dust particles.

Propelling plastics into the circular economy - weeding out the toxics first

The Stockholm Convention bans toxic chemicals on its persistent organic pollutants (POPs) list in order to promote cleaner production and prevent POPs accumulation in the global environment. The original 'dirty dozen' set of POPs has been expanded to include some of the brominated diphenyl ether flame retardants (POP-BDEs). In addition to cleaner production, there is an urgent need for increased resource efficiency to address the finite amount of raw materials on Earth. Recycling plastic enhances resource efficiency and is part of the circular economy approach, but how clean are the materials we are recycling? With the help of a new screening method and detailed analyses, we set out to investigate where these largely obsolete BDEs were showing up in Dutch automotive and electronics waste streams, calculate mass flows and determine to what extent they are entering the new product chains. Our study revealed that banned BDEs and other toxic flame retardants are found at high concentrations in certain plastic materials destined for recycling markets. They were also found in a variety of new consumer products, including children's toys. A mass flow analysis showed that 22% of all the POP-BDE in waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is expected to end up in recycled plastics because these toxic, bioaccumulative and persistent substances are currently not effectively separated out of plastic waste streams. In the automotive sector, this is 14%, while an additional 19% is expected to end up in second-hand parts (reuse). These results raise the issue of delicate trade-offs between consumer safety/cleaner production and resource efficiency. As petroleum intensive materials, plastic products ought to be repaired, reused, remanufactured and recycled, making good use of the 'inner circles' of the circular economy. Keeping hazardous substances - whether they are well known POPs or emerging contaminants - out of products and plastic waste streams could make these cycles work better for businesses, people and nature.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in dust from cars, homes, and offices in Lagos, Nigeria

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in dust from 16 cars, 12 homes, and 18 offices in Lagos, Nigeria. These represent the first and second reports respectively of contamination of Nigerian indoor dust with these contaminants, and the second report on PCBs in car dust worldwide. Concentrations of BDE-47 and BDE-99 in two car dust samples (9300 and 3700 ng g(-1) for BDE-47 and 4200 and 19,000 ng g(-1) for BDE-99), are amongst the highest ever reported in car dust. ANOVA comparison with Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA; reveals concentrations of BDEs-28, 49, 47, 66, 100, 99, 154, and 153 in Nigerian house dust, to be significantly lower than in Canada and the USA, with those of BDE-49 and 154 significantly lower than in New Zealand and the UK. Concentrations of BDE-209 in Nigeria were significantly lower than concentrations in the UK and the USA; while concentrations of PCB-180 were significantly greater than those in New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. Median concentrations of PCBs in cars were substantially higher than in the only previous study (in Kuwait and Pakistan). While median concentrations of PBDEs in cars generally exceeded those in homes, this was significant only for BDEs-49, 154, and 197, with concentrations in cars significantly greater than those in offices for BDEs-49 and 154. Contrastingly, concentrations of all target PCBs in offices exceeded significantly those in cars. This study underlines the truly global distribution of indoor contamination with PBDEs and PCBs.

Review on the occurrence and profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the Philippines

The environmental occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) has been a subject of concern for the past decade because they are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. These compounds have been listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the Stockholm Convention and are expected to disperse in the global environment even after their use and production. While the occurrence of PBDEs has been well characterized in environmental and biological samples from North America, Europe, and some Asian countries (i.e. China, Japan, and Korea), there is a scarcity of available data in developing Asian countries, such as the Philippines. Examination of PBDE contamination in the Philippine environment is particularly important because regulations have only recently been implemented on the production and use of PBDEs in this country. Additionally, the Philippines receives e-waste from Western countries, which is becoming a major source of organic contaminants in the tropical Asian regions. Ultimately, the Philippines may be a hot spot for contributing to on-going global PBDE pollution due to long-range atmospheric transport. This paper presents a review of the available literature on PBDEs in both environmental and biological samples collected from the Philippines. It is also intended to provide an overview on the levels and congener profiles of PBDEs in samples from the Philippines and to compare these data with other Asian countries. New data are presented on PBDE occurrence and congener profiles in fish commonly consumed by Filipinos and in particulate matter samples collected in Metro Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Both studies contribute to the available knowledge of PBDEs in the Philippines. We aim to stress the importance of future studies in countries receiving e-wastes, such as the Philippines, and suggest what future directions might be taken to enhance the available data on the presence of PBDEs in the Philippine environment.

Potential risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by consuming animal-derived foods collected from interior areas of China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one class of brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Although studies have reported the occurrence of PBDEs in freshwater fish species from several locations, to our best knowledge, there was no comprehensive data on PBDEs in foods of animal origin, such as pork, egg, and milk samples from interior areas of China, where pork and eggs are the major constituents of diet. The levels of PBDEs (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) were determined in samples of animal-derived foods widely consumed by the population of Hubei in east-central China and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Two hundred six samples of animal-derived foods were randomly acquired in 17 sites of Hubei in 2010. The highest medium concentration of ∑7PBDEs was found in chicken eggs (0.191 ng/g wet weight (ww)), followed by duck eggs (0.176 ng/g ww), pork (0.050 ng/g ww), carps (0.047 ng/g ww), and cow milk (0.013 ng/g ww). The estimated dietary intake of Σ7PBDEs for a standard adult of 60 kg body weight based on medium and 95th percentile concentrations with consumption of animal-derived foods in Hubei province were 157.5 and 1960.3 pg/kg body weight/day, respectively. Chicken eggs (65.9 %) and pork (23.4 %) were the largest contributors to dietary intake of ∑7PBDEs through animal-derived foods. The same PBDE sources were exposed in Hubei province via principal component analysis (PCA), and the particular congener profile in samples of animal-derived foods revealed the possible exposure history of octa-BDEs and penta-BDEs in the local region. The large margins of exposure (MOE) calculated following the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approach for three important congeners, BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-153, indicated that the estimated dietary exposures were unlikely to be a significant health concern to in Hubei.

'Towards a unified approach for the determination of the bioaccessibility of organic pollutants'

Bioaccessibility studies have been widely used as a research tool to determine the potential human exposure to ingested contaminants. More recently they have been practically applied for soil borne toxic elements. This paper reviews the application of bioaccessibility tests across a range of organic pollutants and contaminated matrices. Important factors are reported to be: the physiological relevance of the test, the components in the gut media, the size fraction chosen for the test and whether it contains a sorptive sink. The bioaccessibility is also a function of the composition of the matrix (e.g. organic carbon content of soils) and the physico-chemical characteristics of the pollutant under test. Despite the widespread use of these tests, there are a large number of formats used and very few validation studies with animal models. We propose a unified format for a bioaccessibility test for organic pollutants. The robustness of this test should first be confirmed through inter laboratory comparison, then tested in-vivo.

Human exposure to PBDE and critical evaluation of health hazards

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used in large quantities as flame-retardant additives in a number of commercial products. Biomonitoring data show that, in recent years, PBDE concentrations have increased rapidly in the bodies of wildlife and humans. Usually, PBDE levels in North America have been reported to be higher than those in Europe and Asia. Moreover, body burden of PBDEs is three- to ninefold higher in infants and toddlers than in adults, showing these last two age groups the highest levels of these compounds, due to exposure via maternal milk and through dust. Tetra-, Penta-, and Hexa-BDEs are the isomers most commonly found in humans. Based on studies on experimental animals, the toxicological endpoints of exposure to PBDEs are likely to be thyroid homeostasis disruption, neurodevelopmental deficits, reproductive changes, and even cancer. Experimental studies in animals and epidemiological observations in humans suggest that PBDEs may be developmental neurotoxicants. Pre- and/or postnatal exposure to PBDEs may cause long-lasting behavioral abnormalities, particularly on motor activity and cognition. This paper is focused on reviewing the current status of PBDEs in the environment, as well as the critical adverse health effects based on the recent studies on the toxic effects of PBDEs.

Human health risk associated with brominated flame-retardants (BFRs)

The purposes of this review are to assess the human exposure and human and experimental evidence for adverse effects of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) with specific focus on intake from seafood. The leakage of BFRs from consumer products leads to exposure of humans from fetal life to adulthood. Fish and fish products contain the highest levels of BFRs and dominate the dietary intake of frequent fish eaters in Europe, while meat, followed by seafood and dairy products accounted for the highest US dietary intake. House dust is also reported as an important source of exposure for children as well as adults. The levels of BFRs in the general North American populations are higher than those in Europe and Japan and the highest levels are detected in infants and toddlers. The daily intake via breast milk exceeds the RfD in 10% of US infants. BFRs including PBDEs, HBCDs and TBBP-A have induced endocrine-, reproductive- and behavior effects in laboratory animals. Furthermore, recent human epidemiological data demonstrated association between exposure to BFRs and similar adverse effects as observed in animal studies. Fish including farmed fish and crude fish oil for human consumption may contain substantial levels of BFRs and infants and toddlers consuming these products on a daily basis may exceed the tolerable daily intake suggesting that fish and fish oil alone represent a risk to human health. This intake comes in addition to exposure from other sources (breast milk, other food, house dust). Because potential harmful concentrations of BFRs and other toxicants occur in fish and fish products, research on a wider range of products is warranted, to assess health hazard related to the contamination of fish and fish products for human consumption.

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.

Exposure of general population to PBDEs: a Progressive Total Diet Study in South Korea

This study assessed the level of 24 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Korean foods following a Progressive Total Diet Study (TDS). The experiments comprised 96 types of dietetically representative foods, all were either cooked or edible raw. PBDEs were widely encountered in foodstuffs with the highest concentration in plant oils, fishes and shellfishes. Of all congeners tested for, BDE-47 was the most predominant and encountered in almost all food items except meats. The presence of nona-BDEs at significant levels indicated that Korean environments are still contaminated by deca-BDE. The daily dietary intake of PBDEs was estimated to be 63 ng d(-1). The highest PBDEs intake was observed in the 19-39 year old group and gradually decreased as age increased. Our study suggests that the TDS approach using foods in the table-ready form should be used for a better estimation of dietary exposure to PBDEs.

PBDEs and PBBs in human serum and breast milk from cohabiting UK couples

Concentrations of PBDEs and PBBs were measured in matched blood and breast milk samples from 10 UK couples collected in 2011-12. These data are the first measurements in human serum from the UK since the 2004 EU ban on all uses of the penta-and octa-BDE formulations and the 2008 ban on the use of the deca-BDE formulation in some applications. Serum ∑PBDE tri-hepta concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 16 ng g(-1) lipid weight, with median 4.0 ng g(-1) lw were measured. Breast milk ∑PBDE tri-hepta concentrations ranged from 1.3 to 21 ng g(-1) lw, with median 5.7 ng g(-1) lw. Couples had similar serum congener concentrations unless one of them frequently stayed away from home for work (different diet and dust exposures) or one had occupational exposure to foams and furnishings or electronics. BB-153 were measured above LOD in 40% of sera and 100% of breast milks samples, with median concentrations of 0.04 and 0.06, and maximums of 0.91 and 0.79 ng g(-1) lw respectively. Concentrations in this study indicated a modest decrease from pre-ban levels reported for the UK. BDE-209 was detected above the limit of detection (LOD) in 15% of sera and 83% of breast milks, with ranges <1.2-20 and <0.2-1.0 ng g(-1) lw respectively. Average daily infant intakes were estimated at 17, 5, 5 and 3 ng kg(-1) bw for BDE-47,-99,-153 and -209 respectively, all well below relevant US-EPA threshold reference dose values (RfDs).

Halogenated flame retardants in baby food from the United States and from China and the estimated dietary intakes by infants

Three categories of baby food (formula, cereal, and puree) were bought from United States and Chinese stores in 2013 and analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and related flame retardants. The primary goal of this project was to investigate whether there were differences in the levels of flame retardants between these two nations' baby foods. The median concentrations of total PBDEs (sum of BDE-17, -28, -47, -49, -99, -100, -153, -183, and -209) were 21 and 36 pg/g fresh weight for the Unites States and Chinese baby foods, respectively. Among non-PBDE flame retardants, hexabromobenzene, Dechlorane Plus (DP), and decabromodiphenylethane were frequently detected (22-57%) with median concentrations of 1.6, 8.7, and 17 pg/g fresh weight for United States samples, and 1.3, 13, and 20 pg/g fresh weight for Chinese samples. In general, the flame retardant concentrations in the United States and Chinese samples were not statistically different, but very high DP concentrations were observed in one Chinese formula sample (4000 pg/g) and in one United States cereal sample (430 pg/g), possibly suggesting contamination of the raw materials or contamination during production of these two samples. A comparison of median estimated daily dietary intake rates of BDE-47, -99, and -153 with existing reference doses for neurodevelopmental toxicity and other existing criteria suggested no concerns for the consumption of these baby foods.

Daily intake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers via dust and diet from an e-waste recycling area in China

This study was designed to estimate the human risk to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exposure via two main exposure routes (dust and diet) in an e-waste recycling area in southern China. A total of 134 dust samples and 129 food samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The mean concentration of ΣPBDE in in-house dust (38,685ng/g dw) was higher than that in out-house dust (24,595ng/g). For food samples, the highest concentration of ΣPBDE was found in fish and shellfish (2755ng/kg ww), followed in descending order by eggs (2423ng/kg), cereals (2239ng/kg) and meat (1799ng/kg). The estimated total daily dietary intake of PBDEs was 1671ng/day for adults and 952ng/day for children. The present study indicated that dust intake was the dominant PBDE exposure route for children, and the dietary intake was the dominant PBDE exposure route for adults. Our findings revealed high PBDE concentrations in dust and food samples collected at the center of e-waste recycling area, raising significant health concerns for residents in this particular region, especially for children.

Human dietary exposure to PBDEs around E-waste recycling sites in Eastern China

Analysis of 10 types of locally produced staple foods (including meat, fish, and eggs), provided estimates of dietary intakes of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) for residents of areas of Taizhou City (Zhejiang Province, Eastern China), which are long-established centers of rudimentary "e-waste" recycling. Average ∑PBDE concentrations in chicken meat, eggs, and liver and duck meat and liver were among the highest recorded to date, with BDE-209 particularly abundant. The highest estimated contributions to ∑PBDE intake under a median exposure scenario were associated with adult consumption of duck eggs (3882 ng/day) and chicken eggs (1091 ng/day), and with consumption of fish by both adults (792 ng/day) and children (634 ng/day). Including estimates for ingestion of contaminated dust reported elsewhere increased median ∑PBDE daily intakes by approximately 19% for adults and 42% for children. Normalized to body weight, estimated median ∑PBDE exposures (from food and dust combined) were 130.9 ng/kg bw/day for adults and 614.1 ng/kg bw/day for children. High-end estimates of exposure for young children exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference doses for BDE-47 and BDE-99 by factors of approximately 2.5 and 1.5, respectively.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and "novel" brominated flame retardants in house dust in Germany

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used in a wide variety of products such as electronic devices, upholstery and carpets and in insulation boards. The study presented here aimed to quantify the amounts of BFRs in house dust in Germany. For this purpose 20 residences' dust samples were collected from vacuum cleaner bags and analysed with LC-MS/MS and simultaneously with GC/MS. Using GC/MS, the median (95th percentile) concentrations of PBDEs (sum of tetra- to hepta-congeners), BDE 209, Σ-HBCD (sum of three congeners), and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) were 42ng/g (230ng/g), 950ng/g (3426ng/g), 335ng/g (1545ng/g), and 146ng/g (1059ng/g), respectively. Using LC-MS/MS some "novel" flame retardants were found in median concentrations of 343ng/g (bis(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)tetrabromophthalate, TBPH), and 28ng/g (tetrabromobisphenol A, TBBPA). Whilst 1,2-bis-(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) and 2-ethyl-1-hexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) could not be detected. Based on these measurements an exposure assessment for the sum of tetra- to heptabrominated congeners, BDE 209, and Σ-HBCD resulted in a "high" daily intake for toddlers (based on 95th percentiles) of 1.2ng/kg b.w., 0.69ng/kg b.w., and 8.9ng/kg b.w., respectively. For TBPH the "high" intake was calculated at 4.1ng/kg b.w. and for DBDPE at 5.3ng/kg b.w. A clear tendency was observed to apply "novel" BFRs in Germany. Moreover, the results suggest that the recent exposure to PBDEs and HBCD via house dust in Germany is well below the levels that are associated with health effects. For the "novel" brominated flame retardants such an assessment is not possible due to limited toxicological information.

Levels of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PBDEs in breast milk of women living in the vicinity of a hazardous waste incinerator: assessment of the temporal trend

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 hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Catalonia, Spain. The results were compared with the levels obtained in previous surveys carried out in the same area in 1998 (baseline study), 2002 and 2007. The current total concentrations of 2,3,7,8-chlorinated PCDD/Fs in breast milk ranged from 18 to 126 pg g(-1)fat (1.1-12. 3 pg WHO2005-TEQPCDD/F), while the total levels of PCBs ranged from 27 to 405 pg g(-1)fat(0.7-5.3 pg WHO2005-TEQPCB). In turn, PBDE concentrations (sum of 15 congeners) ranged 0.3-5.1 g g(-1)fat, with a mean value of 1.3 ng g(-1)fat. A general decrease in the concentrations for PCDD/Fs, both planar and total PCBs, and PBDEs in breast milk was observed. The levels of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PBDEs in milk of women living in urban zones were higher than those corresponding to industrial zones (41%, 26%, and 8%, respectively). For PCDD/Fs and PCBs, the current decreases are in accordance with the reduction in the dietary intake of these pollutants that we have also observed in recent studies carried out in the same area of study.

Domestic duck eggs: an important pathway of human exposure to PBDEs around e-waste and scrap metal processing areas in Eastern China

Although consumption of local foods is recognized as an important pathway of human exposure to PBDEs in areas of China involved in rudimentary recycling of electronic waste (e-waste), dietary intake studies to date have not considered the contribution from consumption of duck eggs, despite being a common dietary component. Fresh duck eggs (n = 11) were collected from each of five farms located within 500 m of e-waste recycling workshops in the Wenling and Luqiao districts of Taizhou City, Eastern China, in November 2011, along with eggs from a control site located 90 km to the northeast. Average ΣPBDE yolk concentrations in eggs from the Taizhou farms ranged from 52.7 to 1778 ng/g lipid weight (8 ng/g lipid weight at the control site), at the high end of values previously reported for PBDEs in chicken eggs from the same locations and with BDE-209 predominant in over 60% of samples. Estimated typical adult daily ΣPBDE intakes due to consumption of duck eggs were in the range of 159-5124 ng/person per day. For the pentabrominated BDE-99 congener, estimated intakes from duck eggs alone were substantially above the no adverse effect level (NAEL) for impaired human spermatogenesis proposed by Netherlands researchers.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in foods from China: levels, dietary intake, and risk assessment

A national survey of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners in various foodstuffs from the Chinese total diet study (TDS) performed in 2007 was conducted for the first time. Meats and aquatic foods had the highest average sum PBDEs (192.5 and 190.6 pg g⁻¹ fresh weight, respectively). For indicator PCBs, the highest average concentration was found in aquatic foods (628.7 pg g⁻¹ fresh weight). On the basis of measured PBDE and indicator PCB levels, the dietary intake estimate was subsequently calculated for the nonoccupationally exposed population in China. For adults, average estimated dietary intakes of PBDEs and indicator PCBs were 0.76 and 2.34 ng kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹, respectively. Health risk assessment of PBDEs using a MOE approach recommended by EFSA suggested unlikely health concern with respect to current dietary intake of PBDEs in China.

Levels of tetrabromobisphenol A, hexabromocyclododecanes and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human milk from the general population in Beijing, China

Three brominated flame retardants (BFRs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were measured in 103 human milk samples collected from Beijing in 2011. The donors' personal information, such as dietary habit and socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, was obtained by questionnaires. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis indicated that the levels of TBBPA ranged from <LOD to 12.46 ng g(-1) lipid weight (lw), with a median value of 0.10 ng g(-1) lw. Three HBCD diastereoisomers (α-, β- and γ-HBCD) were also measured using UPLC-MS/MS. The levels of ΣHBCDs ranged from <LOD to 78.28 ng g(-1) lw, with a median value of 2.40 ng g(-1) lw. α-HBCD was generally the most abundant of the three isomers. Eight PBDE congeners, BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209, were measured using gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The concentrations of ΣPBDEs ranged from 0.22 to 135.41 ng g(-1) lw, with a median value of 3.24 ng g(-1) lw. BDE-209 dominated the PBDE profile in the majority of the human milk samples. The mean estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of TBBPA, ΣHBCDs and ΣPBDEs by breast-fed infants were 2.34, 24.89 and 71.27 ng kg(-1) bw day(-1), respectively. No significant correlation was found between the BFR levels in milk and the mother's diet, place of residence, smoking habit, nursing duration or computer use habit. In contrast, the mother's age, body mass index (BMI), education level and number of computers in the home were related to the levels of some types of BFRs. More research is needed to further investigate the major source(s) of exposure, the effect of each potential factor and the possible toxicological impact of high daily BFR intake on infants.

Within-room and within-building temporal and spatial variations in concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor dust

Within-house and within-room spatial temporal variability in PBDE contamination of indoor dust may influence substantially the reliability of human exposure assessments based on single point samples, but have hitherto been little studied. This paper reports concentrations of PBDEs 17, 28, 47, 49, 66, 85, 99, 100, 153, and 154 in indoor dust samples (n=112) from two houses in Birmingham, UK. To evaluate within-house spatial variability, four separate rooms were sampled in house 1 and two separate rooms sampled in house 2. Up to four different 1 m² areas in the same room were sampled to evaluate within-room spatial variability, and for all studied areas, samples were taken for eight consecutive months to evaluate temporal and seasonal variability. Concentrations of ΣPBDEs in individual samples from house 1 varied between 21 and 280 ng g⁻¹; while the range of concentrations in house 2 was 20-1000 ng g⁻¹. This indicates that where and when a sample is taken in a house can influence substantially the contamination detected. In one room, concentrations of PBDEs in an area located close to putative PBDE sources exceeded substantially those in an area 2m away, with marked differences also observed between two areas in another room. Substantial within-room spatial differences in PBDE concentrations were not discernible in the other rooms studied. Concentrations of PBDEs in the majority of rooms within the same houses were not markedly different between rooms. Nevertheless, large differences were observed between PBDE concentrations detected in two rooms in the same house in both houses studied. In one instance, this is hypothesised to be attributable to the presence of a carpet in one room and bare wooden floor in another, but firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Within-room temporal (month-to-month) variability was substantial (relative standard deviations for ΣPBDEs=15-200%). In some rooms, the introduction and removal of putative sources like a TV and a bed, appeared to exert a discernible influence on PBDE concentrations. PBDE concentrations in spring and summer were not markedly different from those observed in autumn and winter. Possible dilution of PBDE concentrations in dust at higher dust loadings (g dust per m² floor surface) was investigated in a small number of rooms, but no firm evidence of such dilution was evident.

Detection of Dechlorane Plus and brominated flame retardants in marketed fish in Japan

Fish samples purchased from Japanese markets were analyzed for Dechlorane Plus (DP)(syn-, anti-), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)(α, γ). Twenty fish were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for DP and PBDE, and using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for HBCD. DP was detected in 18 samples and ∑DP concentrations were <0.2-14.2 pg g(-1)wet wt. Among the DP isomers, anti-DP was the dominant residue observed in this study. PBDE was detected in all samples. Concentrations of ∑PBDE ranged from 2.2 to 878 pg g(-1) wet wt. HBCD was detected in 18 samples, and ∑HBCD concentrations were <0.02-21.9 ng g(-1)wet wt. In fish landed near the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan, we detected relatively high concentrations of DP, PBDE, and HBCD. These results indicate that the seawaters around East Asia are contaminated with flame retardants. This study demonstrates the presence of DP in fish marketed in Japan for the first time.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers exposure in breast milk in Shanghai, China: levels, influencing factors and potential health risk for infants

The use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is increasing annually in China. Although several studies have reported significant contamination by these compounds in biological samples in China, little is known about the factors that may influence the levels of exposure and the potential health risk for infants. We investigated PBDE exposure levels in breast milk, its influencing factors and the potential health risk for infants in Shanghai, China by enrolling 48 healthy women between September 2006 and April 2007. PBDE exposure was assessed by analyses of seven PBDE congeners in breast milk. The estimated daily intake of PBDEs by infants via breastfeeding was determined for evaluating the potential health risk for infants. The median (range) of total PBDE content in breast milk was 8.81 (1.92-41.55) ng/g lipid. 34 (71%) of the 48 samples tested positive for all seven congeners. Maternal education level and household monthly salary were positively associated with PBDE concentration in breast milk (r=0.337, p=0.019 and r=0.436, p=0.004, respectively). The median of estimated daily intake of BDE-99 (6.67 ng/kg/day) by infants via breastfeeding was below the human no adverse effect level (NAEL) set for BDE-99 for neurodevelopmental toxicity (18.8 ng/kg/day). However, 3 (6%) of the samples exceeded the human NAEL. Taking the high detection rate of PBDEs in breast milk together with 6% of their EDI higher than NAEL in Shanghai, more studies on the effects of maternal PBDE exposure on fetal growth and child neurodevelopment are warranted.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foodstuffs from Taiwan: level and human dietary exposure assessment

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may contaminate food through bioconcentration and biomagnification. PBDEs often exist in the food chain and are consumed by humans. This study aims to determine the concentrations of PBDEs in food intake and to estimate the daily exposure of Taiwanese citizens to PBDEs. One hundred and eight food samples from nine types of commonly consumed foodstuffs were collected from northern, central, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan. The samples were analyzed for PBDE level by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Also, a daily dietary intake survey was conducted of 466 adults (153 men, 313 women) in these four regions of Taiwan. Taiwanese daily dietary intake of PBDE is calculated by means of food PBDEs level and daily dietary intake. The result of this study showed the highest concentration of ΣPBDE was found in butter (890.3±309.0 pg/g wet weight), followed by egg and pork (553.0±185.0 pg/g wet weight and 545.4±181.0 pg/g wet weight). Deca-BDE was found the highest concentration among eight kinds PBDEs. The average daily intake of PBDEs for the 466 subjects was 67.95±23.01 ng/day. There was a significant difference between the daily intake of ΣPBDE in different regions of Taiwan (p<0.05). The highest daily intake of ΣPBDE was in northern Taiwan, which is also the most urbanized area.

PBDE exposure from food in Ireland: optimising data exploitation in probabilistic exposure modelling

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants added to plastics, polyurethane foam, electronics, textiles, and other products. These products release PBDEs into the indoor and outdoor environment, thus causing human exposure through food and dust. This study models PBDE dose distributions from ingestion of food for Irish adults on congener basis by using two probabilistic and one semi-deterministic method. One of the probabilistic methods was newly developed and is based on summary statistics of food consumption combined with a model generating realistic daily energy supply from food. Median (intermediate) doses of total PBDEs are in the range of 0.4-0.6 ng/kg(bw)/day for Irish adults. The 97.5th percentiles of total PBDE doses lie in a range of 1.7-2.2 ng/kg(bw)/day, which is comparable to doses derived for Belgian and Dutch adults. BDE-47 and BDE-99 were identified as the congeners contributing most to estimated intakes, accounting for more than half of the total doses. The most influential food groups contributing to this intake are lean fish and salmon which together account for about 22-25% of the total doses.

Dietary uptake of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), occurrence and profiles, in aquacultured turbots (Psetta maxima) from Galicia, Spain

Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one of the many toxic chemicals present in the environment and in the food we eat every day, being fish one of the main sources of persistent organic pollutants in our diet; like other lipid-related contaminants, they are of concern since they can bioaccumulate and biomagnify through the trophic chain. We published a study focused on the dietary uptake of dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in a set of samples of Spanish farmed turbot (Blanco et al., 2007). In the present paper, we extend the study to PBDEs to provide more information about the uptake and transfer from feed to fish of halogenated contaminants. PBDEs in the feeds (2.35-4.76 ng g(-1)) were reflected in turbot fillets (0.54-2.05 ng g(-1)): predominant congeners were tetra-BDE 47, penta-BDEs 99 and 100. It is remarkable that tetra-BDE 49, accounting for only 2% in the feed, contributed to 15% of total PBDEs in turbot fillets. Dietary net accumulation values, 30-45%, showed that tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa-BDEs were as efficiently transferred into turbot as dl-PCBs and tetra- and penta-chlorinated PCDD/Fs. Lipid-normalized biomagnification factors relating concentration in fish and in feed, BMFs>1 were obtained, except for BDE 209. BDE 49 accumulation, 90%, was possibly contributed by metabolism of higher brominated BDEs. Implication in aquaculture management is a need for uncontaminated fish feed to offer safe products.