Factors associated with serum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels among school-age children in the CHAMACOS cohort.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants historically used in textiles, furniture, and electronic products. Recent studies have documented widespread PBDE exposure to humans, with higher levels measured in children than adults. We analyzed 10 tri- to hepta-BDE congener levels in blood collected from 7-year old Mexican-American children living in an agriculture community in California (n = 272). The most frequently detected PBDE congeners in child serum were BDE-47, -99, -100, and -153, all of which were measured in >99% of the children. We used multiple linear regression models to examine associations between child total PBDE levels (ng/g lipid) and determinants of exposure. Factors positively associated with higher PBDE levels in the children were total PBDE levels in maternal serum during pregnancy, duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and having no safe places to play in their neighborhood. Child BMI was inversely associated with serum PBDE levels (regression p-values <0.05). Our findings confirm that exposure to the penta-BDE mixture is ongoing, and that Mexican-American children living in California may be experiencing higher PBDE exposure from their environment compared to children sampled from the general U.S. population. Additional research is needed to assess the health impacts of these exposures.
Center for Environmental Research and Children's Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, United States. abradman@berkeley.edu
Asa
A
Bradman
Rosemary
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Castorina
Andreas
A
Sjödin
Laura
L
Fenster
Richard S
RS
Jones
Kim G
KG
Harley
Jonathan
J
Chevrier
Nina T
NT
Holland
Brenda
B
Eskenazi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002140:California; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D017058:Mexican Americans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers