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Comparative Absorption and Bioaccumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers following Ingestion via Dust and Oil in Male Rats
Citation:
Huwe, J. K., H. Hakk, D. J. Smith, J. J. DILIBERTO, V. RICHARDSON, H. M. STAPLETON, AND L. S. BIRNBAUM. Comparative Absorption and Bioaccumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers following Ingestion via Dust and Oil in Male Rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 42(7):2694-2700, (2008).
Impact/Purpose:
PBDE's are found in dust. It is important to know if the population is exposed to these chemical by way of dust, to determine the bioavailability of PBDE's in dust.
Description:
Household dust has been implicated as a major source of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure in humans. This finding has important implications for young children, who tend to ingest more dust than adults and may be more susceptible to some of the putative developmental effects of PBDEs. Absorption parameters of PBDEs from ingested dust are unknown; therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine and compare the uptake of PBDEs from either household dust (NIST Standard Reference Material 2585) or a corn oil solution. Male rats were administered dust or corn oil doses at 1 or 6 µg PBDEs kg bw-1 in the diet for 21 days (n = 4 rats per group). The concentrations of fifteen PBDEs were measured in adipose tissue and liver from each treatment group and showed that bioconcentration was congener dependent but did not differ with either dose level or dose vehicle. Hepatic Cyp2b1 and 2b2 mRNA expression increased in rats receiving the higher PBDE doses suggesting potential effects on metabolic activity. Retention of PBDEs in tissues ranged from < 5% of the dose for BDE-209 to 70% for BDEs-47, 100, and 153, but did not differ between the high dust and high oil treatment groups. Excretion in the feces was significantly lower in the high oil dosed rats suggesting differences in absorption, excretion, and/or metabolism. The present study shows that PBDEs in dust are readily bioavailable and biologically active as indicated by increased transcription of hepatic enzymes.
