title: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in UK human milk: implications for infant exposure and relationship to external exposure.
abstract: Fourteen tri-deca polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were investigated in 35 human milk samples from Birmingham, UK. While none of the hepta-nona BDEs (the main components of the octaBDE technical mixture) was above the limit of quantitation (LOQ); BDE-47 (average concentration=3.3ngg(-1) lipid weight (lw)) was quantified in all samples contributing 34-74% to Σtri-hexa BDEs (the principal constituents of the pentaBDE commercial formulation). BDE-209 (the main congener in the decaBDE formulation) was present above the LOQ in 69% of samples (average concentration=0.31ngg(-1) lw). Concentrations of Σtri-hexa BDEs ranged from 0.2 to 26ngg(-1) lw with concentrations of BDE-47>BDE-153>BDE-99. While concentrations of Σtri-hexa BDEs in this study (average=5.95ngg(-1) lw) were at the high end of those reported from other European countries, concentrations of BDE-209 were lower than those reported in human milk from other countries. The average exposure of a UK nursing infant to Σtri-hexa BDEs (35ng (kg bw)(-1)day(-1)) via breast milk exceeded the upper-bound dietary intakes of both UK adults and toddlers. Using a simple one compartment pharmacokinetic model, PBDE intakes of UK adults via inhalation, diet and dust ingestion were converted to predicted body burdens. Predictions compared well with those observed for Σtri-hexa BDEs and BDE-209 in breast milk.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt. Electronic address: mae_abdallah@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Mohamed Abou-Elwafa
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt.
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harrad
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001822:Body Burden; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004391:Dust; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C477694:2,2',4,4',5-brominated diphenyl ether; D004391:Dust; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C517828:hexabrominated diphenyl ether 153; C511295:2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether
keywords: BDE 209; Human milk; Infant exposure; PBDEs