Tetrabromobisphenol A, hexabromocyclododecane isomers and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foodstuffs from Beijing, China: Contamination levels, dietary exposure and risk assessment

Abstract

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) are three legacy brominated flame retardants (BFRs); however, they are still produced and used in China. In this study, these three BFRs were measured in commonly consumed animal-based and plant-based foodstuffs from Beijing, China, and the dietary intakes of these BFRs by adults in Beijing were estimated to assess the related health concerns. The median levels of TBBPA in animal-based foodstuffs ranged from <LOD to 8.03 ng/g lipid weight (lw), whereas those in all the plant-based food groups were lower than the LOD. The median levels of total HBCD in animal-based foodstuffs were from 1.14 to 5.65 ng/g lw, and α-HBCD was the predominant isomer. The median HBCD level in vegetables was 0.266 ng/g wet weight (ww), whereas γ-HBCD was the most abundant isomer. The median levels of total PBDEs in animal-based foodstuffs were from 3.22 to 13.7 ng/g lw, and BDE-209 was the most abundant congener, comprising a proportion of at least 85% of total PBDEs. The daily dietary intakes of TBBPA, HBCD and PBDEs for adults in Beijing were 2.52, 2.74 and 9.77 ng/kg body weight/day, respectively. Meat consumption was found to be the primary source of BFR dietary intake. A comparison between the calculated estimated daily intakes (EDIs) and the corresponding threshold reference values (TRVs) indicated that daily intake of BFRs via food consumption is unable to cause significant health risks. Likewise, the margin of exposures (MOEs) calculated following the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approach were far higher than the threshold, which also proved that the EDIs of BFRs are unlikely to raise significant health concerns.