A newly recognized occupational hazard for US electronic recycling facility workers: polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a newly recognized US occupational health hazard, polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardant exposure, to US workers at electronics recycling facilities to communicate this information to occupational medicine physicians and related health workers.


METHODS
Using PBDE air values reported from a California electronic recycling facility and estimates of US food, air and dust intake, electronic recycling facility workers' PBDE exposure at this facility was estimated using multiple possible scenarios. We compared these estimates to intake estimates for the US general population. Occupational PBDE study findings from China, Sweden, and Norway where elevated environmental or blood PBDE levels were detected in similar workers are reviewed.


RESULTS
An approximate 6-fold to 33-fold increase in the electronic recycling facility workers' PBDE exposure was estimated compared with the US general population.


CONCLUSIONS
PBDE exposure in US electronic recycling facilities is a largely unrecognized occupational health hazard. The extent of worker exposure in the US should be better characterized and steps taken to lower levels of PBDEs in the workplace where exposure exists. Health care providers, plant safety professionals, and government agencies can play a role in recognizing the problem and in decreasing worker exposure.
Schecter
Arnold
A
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Division of Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health at Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9128, USA. arnold.schecter@utsouthwestern.edu
Colacino
Justin A
JA
Harris
T Robert
TR
Shah
Nirav
N
Brummitt
Sharon I
SI