Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in South China maternal and fetal blood and breast milk

Environ Pollut. 2006 Dec;144(3):1024-30. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.12.056. Epub 2006 Mar 24.

Abstract

Twenty-one-paired human fetal and maternal serum and 27 breast milk samples at South China were analyzed for concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Seven PBDE congeners (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, and -183) were quantified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). This is the first report to present the residue levels of PBDEs in human samples of China. The concentrations of total PBDEs ranged from 1.5 to 17 ng/g in the samples and were within the range reported in European samples for a similar population, but lower than human tissue levels in North America. BDE-47 and -153 were the dominant PBDE congeners in all samples and accounted for 60% of the total PBDEs. Further research is needed to determine the exposure route of PBDEs and their health effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight
  • China
  • Environmental Exposure
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Female
  • Fetal Blood / chemistry*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Milk, Human / chemistry*
  • Pesticide Residues / analysis*
  • Phenyl Ethers
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis
  • Pregnancy / blood*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Phenyl Ethers
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls
  • phenyl ether
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls