Abstract
BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in many household items. Given concerns over their potential adverse health effects, we identified predictors and evaluated temporal changes of PBDE serum concentrations.MethodsPBDE serum concentrations were measured in young children (2-8 years old; N = 67), parents of young children (<55 years old; N = 90), and older adults (≥55 years old; N = 59) in California, with concurrent floor wipe samples collected in participants’ homes in 2008-2009. We also measured serum concentrations one year later in a subset of children (N = 19) and parents (N = 42).ResultsPBDE serum concentrations in children were significantly higher than in adults. Floor wipe concentration is a significant predictor of serum BDE-47, 99, 100 and 154. Positive associations were observed between the intake frequency of canned meat and serum concentrations of BDE-47, 99 and 154, between canned meat entrees and BDE-154 and 209, as well as between tuna and white fish and BDE-153. The model with the floor wipe concentration and food intake frequencies explained up to 40% of the mean square prediction error of some congeners. Lower home values and renting (vs. owning) a home were associated with higher serum concentrations of BDE-47, 99 and 100. Serum concentrations measured one year apart were strongly correlated as expected (r = 0.70-0.97) with a slight decreasing trend.ConclusionsFloor wipe concentration, food intake frequency, and housing characteristics can explain 12-40% of the prediction error of PBDE serum concentrations. Decreasing temporal trends should be considered when characterizing long-term exposure.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12940-015-0002-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in many household items
The results obtained from this study provide updated data on PBDE exposures in California, and provide support for potentially reducing the number of needed measurements in future epidemiology studies
The children's PBDE serum concentrations we observed were in the same range as those reported for California children between 2003-2005 by Rose et al [7], as seen in Figure 3 (BDE-209 was not be compared)
Summary
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in many household items. Given concerns over their potential adverse health effects, we identified predictors and evaluated temporal changes of PBDE serum concentrations. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were used as flame retardants in furniture, electronics, as well as many baby products. Many potential adverse health effects have been reported due to exposure to PBDEs, i.e., endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental. In 2006, the manufacture, distribution and processing of products containing these two commercial mixtures of PBDEs were banned in California, 1-2 years earlier than other parts of the U.S Studies have reported higher house dust and serum PBDE levels in California than other U.S states and European countries [7,8]. It is necessary to continue to measure PBDE exposure after the manufacturing changes, especially among the sensitive group of young children
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