Brominated flame retardant concentrations in sera from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) from 2007 to 2009.
Pooling of surplus serum from individual samples, collected between 2007 and 2009 during Cycle 1 of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), was performed to develop a national baseline estimate of brominated flame retardants in Canadians. Serum samples were categorized by sex and distributed by five age groups ranging from 6 to 79years. Nearly 5000 (4583) serum samples were used to form 59 composite pools. Serum pools were created to ensure a high detection frequency of these analytes in serum because low volume samples had previously resulted in non-detectable concentrations. The analytes of interest in these serum pools included 23 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and three hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) isomers (α-, β- and γ-HBCD). PBDEs were observed in all samples tested and total PBDE concentrations ranged from 27ngg(-1) lipid to 130ngg(-1) lipid (geometric mean [GM] 46ngg(-1) lipid). ∑PBDE concentrations were significantly elevated in samples representing the 6-11year old age group (GM 65ngg(-1) lipid) relative to ages above 40years, although no difference in concentration was observed between the sexes. PBDE concentrations in Canadian sera from the general population were higher than reported in Europe and Asia, but a little lower than observed in the US. PBDE 47 was the greatest contributor to ∑PBDE concentrations and the GM concentration for this congener was 22ngg(-1) lipid. The other dominant contributors to ∑PBDE concentrations were in descending order: 153 [GM 9.4ngg(-1) lipid]>99 [GM 4.6ngg(-1) lipid]≅100 [GM 4.1ngg(-1) lipid]>209 [GM 1.1ngg(-1) lipid] and 183 [GM 0.42ngg(-1) lipid]. ∑HBCD was detected in all samples analysed, although most samples were observed at concentrations <1ngg(-1) lipid, similar to global concentrations. α-HBCD was the dominant contributor to ∑HBCD concentrations in Canadians although β- and γ-HBCD were detected in 23% and 35% of the samples, respectively. No differences in ∑HBCD concentration were associated with age or sex. This dataset represents the first national data describing HBCD isomers and some PBDEs (e.g., 183, 209) in Canadians.
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Address Locator: 2203C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada. Electronic address: thea.rawn@hc-sc.gc.ca.
Dorothea F K
DF
Rawn
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Address Locator: 2203C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
J Jake
JJ
Ryan
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Address Locator: 2203C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Amy R
AR
Sadler
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Address Locator: 2203C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Wing-Fung
WF
Sun
Food Research Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Address Locator: 2203C, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Dorcas
D
Weber
Biostatistics and Modelling Division, Bureau of Food Surveillance and Science Integration, Health Products and Foods Branch, Health Canada, Sir Frederick Banting Research Centre, 251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway, Address Locator: 2204D, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Patrick
P
Laffey
Chemicals Surveillance Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Address Locator: 4908D, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Douglas
D
Haines
Chemicals Surveillance Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Address Locator: 4908D, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Kristin
K
Macey
Chemicals Surveillance Bureau, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch, Health Canada, 269 Laurier Avenue West, Address Locator: 4908D, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada.
Jay
J
Van Oostdam
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D005506:Food Contamination; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D055815:Young Adult
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C511295:2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane
BFRs; Canada; Canadian Health Measures Survey; HBCD; Human serum; PBDEs