Exposure assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Mexican children.
Flame retardants (FRs) constitute a group of compounds that are added to materials in order to suppress, reduce, or delay fire. At present the most used FRs are the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and diverse studies have found individuals exposed to them. However, few studies have reported data in children. The objective of this report was to assess PBDEs levels in children of six communities in México. During the year 2006 we analyzed a total of 173 healthy children (aged 6-13 years old). Plasma samples were taken and quantified (gas chromatography/mass spectrometer) for PBDEs. Six PBDEs congeners (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, and BDE-209) were quantified in blood serum. We detected exposure to PBDEs in all the communities. The total PBDEs levels ranged from no detectable (nd) to 43.4 ng g(-1) lipid, the dominant PBDE congener was BDE-47, followed by BDE-100, BDE-99 and BDE-153, whereas the levels of BDE-209 were below LOD. Children living in an industrial and urban area (Cd. Juarez, Chih) had the highest levels of PBDEs, approximately two times that of children living in El Refugio, S.L.P. (a rural area) or in Milpillas, S.L.P. (municipal landfill) and 4-5 times higher than levels found in children living in San Luis Potosi, S.L.P. (urban area), in Chihuahua, Chih. (urban area), and San Juan Tilapa, Edo. Mex. (municipal landfills). Results cannot be generalized since the communities selected are not representative of the Mexican population. However, they do indicate that Mexican children are exposed to PBDEs.
Pérez-Maldonado
Iván N
IN
Laboratorio de Toxicología Ambiental, Unidad Pediátrica Ambiental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Avenida Venustiano Carranza 2405, 78210 San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico.
Ramírez-Jiménez
María del Rocio
Mdel R
Martínez-Arévalo
Laura P
LP
López-Guzmán
O Dania
OD
Athanasiadou
Maria
M
Bergman
Ake
A
Yarto-Ramírez
Mario
M
Gavilán-García
Arturo
A
Yáñez
Leticia
L
Díaz-Barriga
Fernando
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico
D000393:Air Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers