Temporal Evaluation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Serum Levels in Middle-Aged and Older California Women, 2011-2015

Environ Sci Technol. 2017 Apr 18;51(8):4697-4704. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00565. Epub 2017 Mar 29.

Abstract

In response to health concerns and widespread human exposures, two widely used commercial formulations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were banned in the United States in 2005. Initial biomonitoring data have provided early indications of reduced human exposures since these bans took effect. Our objective was to evaluate temporal trends in PBDE serum levels among a population of older California women during a four-year period, beginning approximately five years after these formulations were banned. Automated solid phase extraction and gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry were used to measure PBDE levels in blood collected during 2011-2015 among 1253 women (ages 40-94) participating in the California Teachers Study. Only congeners with detection frequencies (DF) ≥ 75% were included in the present analysis: BDE-47 (DF = 88%); BDE-100 (DF = 78%); and BDE-153 (DF = 80%). Results from age- and race/ethnicity-adjusted linear regression analyses indicated modest, but statistically significant, average annual percent increases in the serum concentrations of all three PBDEs over the four-year study period. While not without limitations, these results, in the context of other biomonitoring data, suggest that earlier reported declines in PBDE levels may have plateaued and may now be starting to increase. Further biomonitoring to ascertain current trends and determinants of population exposures is warranted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • California
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / blood*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / blood*
  • Solid Phase Extraction

Substances

  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls