Occupational exposure to hexabromocyclododecane at an industrial plant.
Occupational exposure to hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) among workers at an industrial plant producing expandable polystyrene (PS) added HBCD as flame retardant has been assessed in the present study. Airborne dust samples were collected near the breathing zone of 10 male workers during three 8-h work shifts. The HBCD concentrations in the airborne dust varied from 0.2 to 150 microg/m3 (mean 12.2 and median 2.1 microg/m3). Two serum samples were obtained from each of the workers. The mean serum concentration was 190 ng/g lipids; the median was 101 ng/g lipids (range 6 to 856 ng/g lipids). HBCD was not detected above 1 ng/g lipids (LOD) in any samples from persons in a reference group with no occupational exposure to HBCD. The contribution of gamma-HBCD to the total HBCD serum concentration was notably high (39%) compared to what has usually been observed in biological samples. There was no clear correlation of serum levels with average HBCD concentrations in the airborne dust samples collected near the subjects' breathing zone. The elevated exposure levels reported in this study compared to urban air and serum levels in general populations suggest that further and more detailed exposure assessment studies should be initiated in industries where HBCD is applied.
Thomsen
Cathrine
C
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 4404 Nydalen, N-0403 Oslo, Norway.
Molander
Paal
P
Daae
Hanne L
HL
Janák
Karel
K
Froshaug
May
M
Liane
Veronica H
VH
Thorud
Syvert
S
Becher
Georg
G
Dybing
Erik
E
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000097:blood; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D000078329:Workforce