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Zheng S, Wang J, Luo K, Gu X, Yuan G, Wei M, Yao Y, Zhao Y, Dai J, Zhang K. Comprehensive Characterization of Organic Light-Emitting Materials in Breast Milk by Target and Suspect Screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:5103-5116. [PMID: 38445973 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Organic light-emitting materials (OLEMs) are emerging contaminants in the environment and have been detected in various environment samples. However, limited information is available regarding their contamination within the human body. Here, we developed a novel QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method coupled with triple quadrupole/high-resolution mass spectrometry to determine OLEMs in breast milk samples, employing both target and suspect screening strategies. Our analysis uncovered the presence of seven out of the 39 targeted OLEMs in breast milk samples, comprising five liquid crystal monomers and two OLEMs commonly used in organic light-emitting diode displays. The cumulative concentrations of the seven OLEMs in each breast milk sample ranged from ND to 1.67 × 103 ng/g lipid weight, with a mean and median concentration of 78.76 and 0.71 ng/g lipid weight, respectively, which were higher compared to that of typical organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. We calculated the estimated daily intake (EDI) rates of OLEMs for infants aged 0-12 months, and the mean EDI rates during lactation were estimated to range from 30.37 to 54.89 ng/kg bw/day. Employing a suspect screening approach, we additionally identified 66 potential OLEMs, and two of them, cholesteryl hydrogen phthalate and cholesteryl benzoate, were further confirmed using pure reference standards. These two substances belong to cholesteric liquid crystal materials and raise concerns about potential endocrine-disrupting effects, as indicated by in silico predictive models. Overall, our present study established a robust method for the identification of OLEMs in breast milk samples, shedding light on their presence in the human body. These findings indicate human exposure to OLEMs that should be further investigated, including their health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuping Zheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jingsheng Wang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Key Laboratory of Environment Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Xiaoxia Gu
- Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Guanxiang Yuan
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Meiting Wei
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Yao
- The Genetics Laboratory, Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City, Longgang Maternity and Child Institute, Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen 518172, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanbin Zhao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiayin Dai
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
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Lehmann GM, LaKind JS, Davis MH, Hines EP, Marchitti SA, Alcala C, Lorber M. Environmental Chemicals in Breast Milk and Formula: Exposure and Risk Assessment Implications. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2018; 126:96001. [PMID: 30187772 PMCID: PMC6375394 DOI: 10.1289/ehp1953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human health risk assessment methods have advanced in recent years to more accurately estimate risks associated with exposure during childhood. However, predicting risks related to infant exposures to environmental chemicals in breast milk and formula remains challenging. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to compile available information on infant exposures to environmental chemicals in breast milk and formula, describe methods to characterize infant exposure and potential for health risk in the context of a risk assessment, and identify research needed to improve risk analyses based on this type of exposure and health risk information. METHODS We reviewed recent literature on levels of environmental chemicals in breast milk and formula, with a focus on data from the United States. We then selected three example publications that quantified infant exposure using breast milk or formula chemical concentrations and estimated breast milk or formula intake. The potential for health risk from these dietary exposures was then characterized by comparison with available health risk benchmarks. We identified areas of this approach in need of improvement to better characterize the potential for infant health risk from this critical exposure pathway. DISCUSSION Measurements of chemicals in breast milk and formula are integral to the evaluation of risk from early life dietary exposures to environmental chemicals. Risk assessments may also be informed by research investigating the impact of chemical exposure on developmental processes known to be active, and subject to disruption, during infancy, and by analysis of exposure-response data specific to the infant life stage. Critical data gaps exist in all of these areas. CONCLUSIONS Better-designed studies are needed to characterize infant exposures to environmental chemicals in breast milk and infant formula as well as to improve risk assessments of chemicals found in both foods. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1953.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geniece M Lehmann
- Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Judy S LaKind
- LaKind Associates, LLC, Catonsville, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Matthew H Davis
- Office of Children's Health Protection, U.S. EPA, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Erin P Hines
- Office of Research and Development (ORD), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Satori A Marchitti
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), ORD, U.S. EPA, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Cecilia Alcala
- Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH), ORD, U.S. EPA, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Marchitti SA, Fenton SE, Mendola P, Kenneke JF, Hines EP. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Human Milk and Serum from the U.S. EPA MAMA Study: Modeled Predictions of Infant Exposure and Considerations for Risk Assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:706-713. [PMID: 27405099 PMCID: PMC5381986 DOI: 10.1289/ehp332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serum concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in U.S. women are believed to be among the world's highest; however, little information exists on the partitioning of PBDEs between serum and breast milk and how this may affect infant exposure. OBJECTIVES Paired milk and serum samples were measured for PBDE concentrations in 34 women who participated in the U.S. EPA MAMA Study. Computational models for predicting milk PBDE concentrations from serum were evaluated. METHODS Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography isotope-dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry. Observed milk PBDE concentrations were compared with model predictions, and models were applied to NHANES serum data to predict milk PBDE concentrations and infant intakes for the U.S. population. RESULTS Serum and milk samples had detectable concentrations of most PBDEs. BDE-47 was found in the highest concentrations (median serum: 18.6; milk: 31.5 ng/g lipid) and BDE-28 had the highest milk:serum partitioning ratio (2.1 ± 0.2). No evidence of depuration was found. Models demonstrated high reliability and, as of 2007-2008, predicted U.S. milk concentrations of BDE-47, BDE-99, and BDE-100 appear to be declining but BDE-153 may be rising. Predicted infant intakes (ng/kg/day) were below threshold reference doses (RfDs) for BDE-99 and BDE-153 but above the suggested RfD for BDE-47. CONCLUSIONS Concentrations and partitioning ratios of PBDEs in milk and serum from women in the U.S. EPA MAMA Study are presented for the first time; modeled predictions of milk PBDE concentrations using serum concentrations appear to be a valid method for estimating PBDE exposure in U.S. infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satori A. Marchitti
- ORISE (Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education) Fellowship Program, National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Suzanne E. Fenton
- National Toxicology Program Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pauline Mendola
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Development, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - John F. Kenneke
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Address correspondence to *J.F. Kenneke, U.S. EPA, NERL, 960 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605 USA. Telephone: (706) 355-8247. E-mail: , or E.P. Hines, U.S. EPA, NCEA, Mail Drop B243-01, RTP, NC 27711 USA. Telephone: (919) 451-4204. E-mail:
| | - Erin P. Hines
- National Center for Environmental Assessment, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
- Address correspondence to *J.F. Kenneke, U.S. EPA, NERL, 960 College Station Rd., Athens, GA 30605 USA. Telephone: (706) 355-8247. E-mail: , or E.P. Hines, U.S. EPA, NCEA, Mail Drop B243-01, RTP, NC 27711 USA. Telephone: (919) 451-4204. E-mail:
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Marchitti SA, LaKind JS, Naiman DQ, Berlin CM, Kenneke JF. Improving infant exposure and health risk estimates: using serum data to predict polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations in breast milk. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:4787-95. [PMID: 23582134 DOI: 10.1021/es305229d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Women in the United States have breast milk concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) that are among the highest in the world, leading to concerns over the potential health implications to breastfeeding infants during critical stages of growth and development. Developing cost-effective and sustainable methods for assessing chemical exposures in infants is a high priority to federal agencies and local communities. PBDE data are available in nationally representative serum samples but not in breast milk. As a method to predict PBDE concentrations in U.S. breast milk, we present the development of congener-specific linear regression partitioning models and their application to U.S. serum data. Models were developed from existing paired milk and serum data and applied to 2003-2004 NHANES serum data for U.S. women. Highest estimated median U.S. breast milk concentrations were for BDE-47 (30.6 ng/g lipid) and BDE-99 (6.1 ng/g lipid) with the median concentration of Σ7PBDEs estimated at 54.2 ng/g lipid. Predictions of breast milk PBDE concentration were consistent with reported concentrations from 11 similarly timed U.S. studies. When applied to NHANES data, these models provide a sustainable method for estimating population-level concentrations of PBDEs in U.S. breast milk and should improve exposure estimates in breastfeeding infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satori A Marchitti
- National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, Georgia 30605, USA
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Rojas-Squella X, Santos L, Baumann W, Landaeta D, Jaimes A, Correa JC, Sarmiento OL, Ramos-Bonilla JP. Presence of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk samples from Colombian women. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 91:733-739. [PMID: 23499217 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 02/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in biological and environmental samples has been studied for decades in many countries. Nonetheless, studies in Latin American countries like Colombia have been scarce. Determining the presence of OCPs in breast milk will be of relevance to assess exposures, potential health risks, and for surveillance among Latin American populations. Thirty-two breast-feeding mothers were selected to voluntarily participate in the study. Breast milk samples were analyzed for 10 OCPs (α-, β-, γ-, δ-HCH, Heptachlor, α-, γ-Chlordane, 4,4' DDT, 4,4' DDE, 4,4' DDD). Milk samples were analyzed using liquid-liquid extraction, followed by sulfuric acid clean-up, and quantified using GC/μECD. Results were confirmed by GC/MS. OCPs concentrations were normalized using fat content. In all but one sample, 4,4' DDE was quantified in concentrations ranging between<17 and 14948 ng g(-1) (ng of OCP per g of lipids), with a mean value of 203 ng g(-1). One woman had 4,4' DDE concentrations that were orders of magnitude above the average concentrations observed worldwide. Concentrations of 4,4' DDE in a second breast milk sample collected in a different time period of lactation from a sub-group of 13 women from the original participants, showed no statistically significant difference with the concentrations found in the first sample. Based on the results obtained from the Persistent Organic Pollutants Global Monitoring Plan report of 2009 of the Stockholm Convention, Colombia ranks fourth from bottom to top in terms of 4,4' DDE average concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena Rojas-Squella
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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