You are here:
Brominated flame retardant levels in human milk and serum from MAMA study participants: Correlations over time, matrix, and with questionnaire results
Citation:
FENTON, S. E., P. Mendola, A. Sjodin, D. G. Patterson, Jr., L. L. Needham, AND E. P. HINES. Brominated flame retardant levels in human milk and serum from MAMA study participants: Correlations over time, matrix, and with questionnaire results. Presented at ISEA / ISEE, Pasadena, CA, October 12 - 16, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
Presentation @ 2008 ISEA / ISEE Annual Meeting
Description:
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are synthetic, lipophilic, and bioaccumulative compounds used to prevent the combustion of a variety of items including electronics and furniture. There are 75 classes of BFRs, two of which are the polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and the polybrominated biphenyl diethers (PBDE). The 209 PBDE congeners are classified based on bromination number and position. PBDEs are applied commercially as mixtures. Mixtures containing penta-brominated PBDE congeners are more readily absorbed into the body and are of interest for their reported health effects in animals. While penta- and octa-BDEs are no longer produced, deca-BDEs continue to be used. The US EPA study, Methods Advancement for Milk Analysis (MAMA), recruited 34 lactating NC women who donated milk and serum at two times points (2-7 weeks and 3-4 months postpartum) between December 2004 and July 2005 for analysis of environmental and biological endpoints, including BFRs. All analyses were based on lipid-adjusted concentrations. Seven PBDEs were measured and detected in the majority of the milk and serum samples (from lowest to highest concentration): BDE183, BDE154, BDE85, BDE100, BDE153, BDE99, and BDE47; three BFRs were measured in serum only (BDE17, BDE28, BDE66). Also measured was one persistent organic pollutant BB153, which has not been used since the 1970s. Analysis of the deca-BFR BDE 209 was not performed in this study. Analysis of samples was performed using gas chromatography isotope dilution high resolution mass spectrometry. We anticipated that lactation would result in a decrease in BFRs between visits (average interval 8.4 weeks) due to depuration, but none of the milk or serum congeners were significantly different comparing levels at visit one to visit two. Nearly all of the milk and serum concentrations of individual BFRs were significantly correlated between visits, with the exception being BB153 and BDE183 in milk and BDE66 in serum. Comparing milk to serum levels for individual congeners within visit, only BDE 183 was not significantly correlated across matrices. BDE47 had the highest concentration in milk and serum at both visits. Maternal age was inversely correlated with most serum and milk BFR concentrations, with the exception of BB153. The age of the participant’s home was inversely correlated with milk and serum levels of BDE47 and BDE100. Positive correlations were seen between the age of the primary motor vehicle and the concentrations of most congeners in serum and milk. The participant’s BMI, number of prior births, years in NC, and years at the current address yielded few, if any interesting correlations. These results begin to suggest possible routes of exposure for the reported blood and milk BFR concentrations in this study.