Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Serum Concentrations and Depressive Symptomatology in Pregnant African American Women

Abstract

(1) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were widely produced in the United States until 2004 but remain highly persistent in the environment. The potential for PBDEs to disrupt normal neuroendocrine pathways resulting in depression and other neurological symptoms is largely understudied. This study examined whether PBDE exposure in pregnant women was associated with antenatal depressive symptomatology. (2) Data were collected from 193 African American pregnant women at 8–14 weeks gestation. Serum PBDEs and depressive symptoms were analyzed and a mixture effect was calculated. (3) Urban pregnant African American women in the Southeastern United States had a high risk of depression (27%) compared to the National average. Increased levels of PBDEs were found. BDE-47 and -99 exposures are significantly associated with depressive symptomatology in the pregnant cohort. The weighted body burden estimate of the PBDE mixture was associated with a higher risk of mild to moderate depression using an Edinburgh Depression Scale cutoff score of ≥10 (OR = 2.93; CI 1.18, 7.82). (4) Since antenatal depression may worsen in postpartum, reducing PBDE exposure may have significant clinical implications.

Effects of UV radiation on natural and synthetic materials

“…The concentration of PBDE replacements in the aquatic environment is higher than that of legacy PBDE’s and these are often bio-accumulative [ 66 ]. Exposure to PBDE adversely affects reproductive and neurological health [ 67 , 68 ]. It is an additive listed in the Stockholm Convention and was phased out in the EU.…”

Effects of sponge-derived polybrominated diphenyl ethers on human cancer cell α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and bacterial α-d-galactosidase and their antioxidant activity

“…[6][7][8] Toxicology reports indicate that PBDEs cause thyroid dysfunction, 9,10 affect ovarian granulosa cell function and follicular development, 11 and interfere with the male reproductive system. 12 Moreover, they have neurotoxic, 13 carcinogenic 14 and other toxic effects on reproductive health, 15 including the effects on reproductive outcomes among women undergoing assisted reproductive technologies 16 and declining semen quality. 12 Marine organisms, in particular marine sponges, are an inexhaustible source of metabolites with various biological activities.…”

Maternal per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances exposures associated with higher depressive symptom scores among immigrant women in the Chemicals in Our Bodies cohort in San Francisco

“…The economic costs of mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, including depression, has been estimated to be $14.2 billion (Luca et al, 2019). Both social and environmental factors can influence the onset and severity of depression (Mutic et al, 2021). For example, structural racism and perceived discrimination may contribute to disparities in depression rates and severity (Hankerson et al, 2022).…”