Perinatal exposure to brominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls in Japan.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are used to prevent combustion in consumer products. Examples of BFRs are polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), and tribromophenol (TBP). These compounds are reported to have adverse effects on human health and endocrine disrupting effects. The purpose of this study was to identify the Japanese perinatal exposure to PBDEs, hydroxylated PBDE metabolites (OH-PBDEs), TBBPA, and TBP compared with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hydroxylated PCB metabolites (OH-PCBs). We investigated the concentrations of these compounds in maternal blood, maternal milk, cord blood, and umbilical cords from 16 Japanese mother-infant pairs by HRGC/HRMS. PBDEs were detected in all samples of maternal blood (mean+/-SD; median=25+/-23 pg/g; 18 pg/g wet weight), maternal milk (140+/-220 pg/g; 59 pg/g wet weight), cord blood (4.8+/-6.5 pg/g; 1.6 pg/g wet weight), and umbilical cords (3.1+/-3.1 pg/g; 2.1 pg/g wet weight). The mothers were divided into two groups, a high-concentration group and a low-concentration group. The percentage of BDE-47 showed the greatest difference between the two groups. 6-OH-BDE-47, TBBPA, and TBP were detected in all umbilical cord samples (mean+/-SD; median=8.4+/-8.1 pg/g; 8.0 pg/g, 16+/-5.5 pg/g; 15 pg/g, and 33+/-8.2 pg/g; 32 pg/g wet weight respectively), but not in all maternal blood or cord blood samples. These results indicate that OH-PBDEs, TBBPA, and TBP, in addition to PBDEs, PCBs, and OH-PCBs, pass through the blood-placenta barrier and are retained in the umbilical cord.
Kawashiro
Yukiko
Y
Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chuo-ku, Chiba, Japan.
Fukata
Hideki
H
Omori-Inoue
Mariko
M
Kubonoya
Kiyoshi
K
Jotaki
Tomomi
T
Takigami
Hidetaka
H
Sakai
Shin-ichi
S
Mori
Chisato
C
D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000737:chemistry
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls