PBDEs Found in House Dust Impact Human Lung Epithelial Cell Homeostasis.

Antonio Zandona,Marija Dvoršćak,Maja Katalinić,Josip Madunić,Darija Klinčić,Karla Jagić

doi:10.3390/toxics10020097

Antonio Zandona, Marija Dvoršćak + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10020097

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Journal: Toxics	Publication Date: Feb 19, 2022
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health

Abstract

The toxicity of eight polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congeners detected in environmental and biological samples (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, and -209) was evaluated on the epithelial lung cells. Exposure to these PBDEs increased membrane disruption and a release of lactate dehydrogenase, accompanied by oxidative stress in cells through the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Interestingly, some of the tested PBDEs increased apoptotic markers as well. For several congeners, the observed toxicity was time dependent, meaning that even smaller concentrations of these compounds will have negative effects over time. Such time-dependent toxicity was also confirmed for cell treatment with a real house dust sample extract. This could be indicative with regard to the constant exposure to a mixture of PBDE congeners through different pathways in the organism and thereby presenting a risk for human health. As such, our findings point to the importance of further studies on the negative effects of PBDEs to understand their mechanism of action in detail.

Highlights

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, Figure 1) were extensively used as chemical additives to textiles, furniture, building materials and electrical/electronic devices to reduce their flammability and prevent or slow down potential fires [1]
A549 cells were exposed to each polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) congener tested at concentrations of up to 48 μg mL−1 for 24, 48 and 72 h, as we wanted to simulate prolonged exposure to accumulated PBDEs in real samples
For the rest of the tested PBDEs, cell survival dropped 15–30% compared to the control within 24–72 h

Summary

Introduction

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, Figure 1) were extensively used as chemical additives to textiles, furniture, building materials and electrical/electronic devices to reduce their flammability and prevent or slow down potential fires [1]. As they do not form a chemical bond with the material, they are detached from household products and adsorbed onto the organic particles of house dust. Their use has been completely banned for several years massive reserves of products containing PBDEs and enhanced recycling alongside their persistence result in continuous human exposure. Epidemiological studies suggest an association between PBDE exposure (both prenatal and postnatal) and a lower birth weight, lower levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, lower intelligence quotient, increased incidence of hyperactivity disorder and an impaired cognitive, motor and behavioral neurodevelopment [5]

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