Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and tetrabromobisphenol A among computer technicians.
This study investigates exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), which are used as flame retardants in electronic equipment, in a group of technicians with intense computer work. Thirteen PBDE congeners and TBBPA were quantified in serum from 19 computer technicians. Previously investigated groups of hospital cleaners with no computer experience, and clerks working full-time at computer screens were used for comparison. The computer technicians had serum concentrations of BDE-153, BDE-183 and BDE-209 that were five times higher than those reported among hospital cleaners and computer clerks. The median levels observed among the computer technicians were 4.1, 1.3, and 1.6 pmol/g lipid weight, respectively. In contrast, for BDE-47 there was no difference between the computer technicians and the others. BDE-100, BDE-203, and three structurally unidentified octa-BDEs and three nona-BDEs, were present in almost all samples from the computer technicians. Further, TBBPA was detected in 8 out of 10 samples. The levels of BDE-153, BDE-183, and one of the octa-BDEs were positively correlated with duration of computer work among technicians. On a group level an exposure gradient was observed, from the least exposed cleaners to the clerks, and to the highest exposed group of computer technicians. A dose (duration of computer work)-response relationship among computer technicians was demonstrated for some higher brominated PBDE congeners. Thus, it is evident that PBDEs used in computers and electronics, including the fully brominated BDE-209, contaminate the work environment and accumulate in the workers tissues.
Jakobsson
Kristina
K
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University Hospital, Sweden. kristina.jakobsson@ymed.lu.se
Thuresson
Kaj
K
Rylander
Lars
L
Sjödin
Andreas
A
Hagmar
Lars
L
Bergman
Ake
A
D000328:Adult; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003201:Computers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C020806:tetrabromobisphenol A