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Higher accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in infants than in adults

Leisa-Maree L Toms1, Fiona Harden, Olaf Paepke

  • 1The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains 4108, Australia. l.toms@uq.edu.au

Environmental Science & Technology
|October 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Australian children have significantly higher polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) levels than adults. Maternal transfer and breast milk are key contributors to infant PBDE exposure, according to this study.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Human Biomonitoring

Background:

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants found globally in human tissues.
  • Understanding PBDE exposure pathways is crucial for public health risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess human PBDE concentrations in Australian population strata.
  • To identify age, regional, and gender-specific differences in PBDE levels.
  • To model PBDE exposure pathways and predict concentration trends.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of pooled serum samples from 8132 Australian residents (2002/03 and 2004/05).
  • Stratification by age, region, and gender.
  • Development and application of a PBDE exposure and clearance model.

Main Results:

  • Infants and children exhibited substantially higher PBDE concentrations than adults across both study periods.
  • Mean sigmaPBDE concentrations in 2004/05 were 73 ng/g lipid for 0-4 years and 29 ng/g lipid for 5-15 years, compared to 18 ng/g lipid for adults.
  • No significant regional or gender-specific differences in PBDE concentrations were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Age is a significant factor in PBDE exposure, with younger individuals showing higher levels.
  • Maternal transfer and breast milk consumption are the primary drivers of elevated PBDE concentrations in infants.
  • The developed model effectively predicts PBDE trends and highlights key exposure routes.

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