Congener-specific body burden levels and possible determinants of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the general Japanese population

Abstract

Objective Our objective was to investigate congener-specific body burden levels and possible determinants of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the Japanese human population. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study on 72 participants aged 15–74 years; subjects were not occupationally exposed to PBDEs or dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL–PCBs). Participants lived in two urban areas and two fishing villages. Twenty-seven PBDE congeners, PCB-126, PCB-118, PCB-156, and biochemical factors were determined in fasting blood. A questionnaire survey on life-style was also conducted. Results More than half of the PBDE values for 14 congeners were below the levels of detection (LODs). The median concentration of total PBDEs was 3.6 ng g −1 lipid. The most abundant congener was BDE-209 (median concentration, 0.90 ng g −1 lipid), followed by BDE-153, BDE-207, and BDE-47 in the given order. Most PBDE congeners with ⩽ 6 bromine atoms had significant positive associations with the concentrations of the three DL–PCBs (suggesting common routes of exposure) and with plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), biological markers of fish intake. These associations did not change substantially after adjustment for age, sex, and log(body mass index). These positive associations with the concentrations of DL–PCBs or EPA/DHA were not found in analyses of high-brominated PBDE congeners with ⩾8 bromine atoms. Conclusions Fish consumption may be a major contributor to the accumulation of PBDE congeners with ⩽6 bromine atoms among the general Japanese population. In contrast, the main exposure routes to high-brominated PBDEs in humans are probably not associated with fish consumption.