Potential Health Risk to Brazilian Infants by Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Exposure via Breast Milk Intake

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous flame retardants and are environmentally persistent. PBDEs show endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and lower birth weight in infants, and their human body burden has become a public health concern. The infants’ exposure begins in the prenatal period and continues via breast milk ingestion, although, little is known about the factors that may influence this exposure. In this study, PBDE levels in Brazilian breast milk were assessed in 200 lactating women. The risk assessment of infants’ exposure to PBDE was performed through the estimated daily intake (EDI) calculation. The geometric mean (GM) of ∑PBDEs levels was 2.33 (0.14–6.05) ng/g wet weight. At least one PBDE congener was detected in the samples, and the 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) showed a 100% of detection rate (GM of 1.05 ng/g). Location of residence, maternal level education, monthly salary, and race were positively associated with PBDE levels (p < 0.05). The EDI of BDE-47 was higher in Belo Horizonte (8.29 ng/kg/day) than in Viçosa (6.36 ng/kg/day), as well as for the ∑PBDEs (19.77 versus 12.78 ng/kg/day) (p < 0.05). Taking the high detection rate of PBDEs in breast milk and their toxicity, continuous studies on infant exposure, fetal growth, and child neurodevelopment are requested.

Occurrence of PBDEs in car and airplane dust in Poland – exposure assessment and health risk characterization for selected age ranges

“…The data available in the literature seems to indicate that the share of sources of PBDEs exposure (and exposure to other organic contaminants) varies depending on the stage of human life. For infants, breast milk constitutes the principal source of PBDEs intake, and as indicated by numerous studies, it constitutes the main source of the ingestion of congeners, such as BDE-47, BDE-153 and BDE-99 [60][61][62]. For toddlers, the principal sources of exposure to PBDEs are the diet and dust ingestion.…”

BDE-47 Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress to Inhibit Early Porcine Embryonic Development

“…Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are organic and persistent environmental pollutants of wide concern because of their accumulation and toxicity in organisms [1]. The 2,2 4,4 -tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is a PBDE homolog widely distributed in the environment, the human placenta, body fluids, and the umbilical cord [2][3][4]. BDE-47 is widely used as a flame retardant in textiles, building materials, and plastics.…”