title: Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in settled house dust from urban dwellings with resident preschool-aged children in Nanjing, China.
abstract: We investigated the levels and possible determinants of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the settled house-dust (SHD) of urban dwellings with resident preschool-aged children in Nanjing, China. The possible neurodevelopmental effects of house-dust PBDEs were also explored. SHD was collected from 216 urban houses. Levels of 8 PBDEs were measured by gas chromatography-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The Child Behavior Checklist and the Gesell Development Inventory were used to evaluate the child's development. BDE47, BDE99, BDE153, BDE18, and BDE209 were detected in the SHD of >90 % of houses, of which BDE209 predominated. Most PBDEs were found at significantly greater levels in indoor than in outdoor dust (P < 0.05). Levels of BDE28 and BDE154 in houses with solid-wood floors were significantly greater than those in houses with plywood floors (P < 0.05). BDE154 levels in houses with wallpaper were significantly greater than those without wallpaper (P < 0.05). Greater BDE47 concentrations were found in houses with less natural ventilation time (linear trend P < 0.05). After dichotomization at the geometric mean concentration, BDE209 and total BDEs showed significant risks for depressed behavior problems and lower personal social developmental quotients (DQs); BDE99 and BDE153 indicated a risk for lower personal social DQs. In conclusion, PBDEs (especially BDE209) are ubiquitous in urban SHD in Nanjing residences. Natural ventilation and floor materials potentially influence PBDE levels in SHD. The potential adverse effect of postnatal exposure to PBDEs on the behavior and neurodevelopment of preschool-age children requires follow-up in larger studies.
authors.affiliation: Qingdao Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 175 Shandong Rd, Qingdao, 266033, China, wangbl74@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bing-Ling
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shu-tao
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Xiao-ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xi-ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yong-gang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiao-mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers