Higher Accumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Infants Than in Adults

Abstract

Pooled serum samples collected from 8132 residents in 2002/ 03 and 2004/05 were analyzed to assess human polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations from specified strata of the Australian population. The strata were defined by age (0-4 years, 5-15 years, < 16 years, 16-30 years, 31-45 years, 46-60 years, and > 60 years); region; and gender. For both time periods, infants and older children had substantially higher PBDE concentrations than adults. For samples collected in 2004/ 05, the mean +/- standard deviation sigmaPBDE (sum of the homologue groups for the mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta-, octa-, nona-, and deca-BDEs) concentrations for 0-4 and 5-15 years were 73 +/- 7 and 29 +/- 7 ng g(-1) lipid, respectively, while for all adults > 16 years, the mean concentration was lower at 18 +/- 5 ng g(-1) lipid. A similar trend was observed for the samples collected in 2002/03, with the mean sigmaPBDE concentration for children < 16 years being 28 +/- 8 ng g(-1) lipid and for the adults >16 years, 15 +/- 5 ng g(-1) lipid. No regional or gender specific differences were observed. Measured data were compared with a model that we developed to incorporate the primary known exposure pathways (food, air, dust, breast milk) and clearance (half-life) data. The model was used to predict PBDE concentration trends and indicated that the elevated concentrations in infants were primarily due to maternal transfer and breast milk consumption with inhalation and ingestion of dust making a comparatively lower contribution.

Elevated Serum Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Alteration of Thyroid Hormones in Children from Guiyu, China

“…Further studies are suggested. When compared with children from around the world, PBDE concentrations in the present study were higher than those in newborns and 4-year-old children from Menorca Island [50], 0-11-year-old children from Dalian, China [51], 6-13-year-old children from Mexico [52], newborns from Indiana, USA [53], 0-15-year-old children from Australia [54], and 7-year-old children from Faroe Island [55], and comparable with those in California Mexican-American children, USA [56], but lower than those in the children residing in Berkeley, California USA [57]. All together, these results are in concordance with those reported in other studies, where people in Asia are exposed to comparable or lower levels than people living in North American and much higher than people in Europe.…”

“…All together, these results are in concordance with those reported in other studies, where people in Asia are exposed to comparable or lower levels than people living in North American and much higher than people in Europe. In addition, several studies showed that PBDE concentrations in children were higher than those of the mothers [54,56,58].…”

Determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human semen

“…So, our result on no agedifference in PBDE burden seemed to be also explained by similar PBDE-exposure time. Recently, several studies reported the correlation between PBDE burden and age ( Haraguchi et al, 2009;Toms et al, 2008;Toms et al, 2009). In these literatures, however, the age-difference might suggest that PBDE burden depends heavily on exposure background and metabolism rather than exposure time (Johnson-Restrepo et al, 2005;Kunisue et al, 2007;Sjödin et al, 1999;Sjödin et al, 2000;Zhao et al, 2010).…”

Assessing exposure of young children to common endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the home environment: a review and commentary of the questionnaire-based approach

“…Several behaviours of children lead to increased EDC exposure relative to adults (110,111). Within the home, infants and toddlers occupy different microenvironments than Brought to you by | University of Queensland -UQ Library Authenticated Download Date | 7/21/15 5:17 AM adults, which may lead to different pathways and durations of exposure (112,113).…”