Hexabromocyclododecane concentrations in Canadian human fetal liver and placental tissues.
Detectable concentrations of the flame retardant hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) have been reported in human tissues worldwide, but investigations to determine fetal exposure to this brominated flame retardant are lacking. This study was undertaken to determine the concentrations of α-, β- and γ-HBCD in human tissues (fetal liver and placenta) from Canada. Tissue samples were collected over a thirteen year period following elective pregnancy terminations in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Samples were extracted using homogenisation with solvent, cleaned up using adsorption chromatography and analysis was performed with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Total HBCD concentrations ranged from below the limit of detection (<LOD; <1 ng g(-1)) to 4500 ng g(-1) lipid in fetal livers and <LOD (<1 ng g(-1)) to 5600 ng g(-1) lipid in placental tissue. No clear temporal trend was established in liver samples, nor was a significant relationship observed between fetal age and ΣHBCD concentrations. Temporal differences, however, were noted in placental tissues before and after 2005. HBCD concentrations in liver:placental paired tissue samples did not show a correlation. HBCD was found in placental tissues from Canadian women and results indicate that HBCD was present, at measurable concentrations, in developing fetuses from as early as 6.5 weeks.
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, 2203C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada. Electronic address: thea.rawn@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Dorothea F K
DF
Rawn
Dean W
DW
Gaertner
Dorcas
D
Weber
Ivan H A
IH
Curran
Gerard M
GM
Cooke
Cynthia G
CG
Goodyer
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011792:Quebec; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
D005411:Flame Retardants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane
Brominated flame retardants; HBCD; Hexabromocyclododecane; Human tissues; PBDEs