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Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) in blood from children (age 9-12) in Taizhou, China
Xiaoyou Zhang1, Xianli Ruan, Minchan Yan
1Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing 210009, China. xiaoyou860331@163.com
Insights
Children in Taizhou, China, show low exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), with levels below US children but similar to European and Asian populations. BDE-209 was the most prevalent PBDE congener found in their blood samples.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants with potential health risks, especially for children.
- Understanding PBDE exposure levels in different populations is crucial for risk assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the exposure levels of PBDEs in children aged 9-12 years residing in Taizhou, China.
- To identify the predominant PBDE congeners in the studied pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples were collected from 58 children in a mountainous area of Taizhou.
- Concentrations of nine PBDE congeners (sigma9PBDEs) were measured and reported in ng/g lipid wet (lw).
Main Results:
- PBDE concentrations ranged from 2.66 to 33.9 ng/g lw, with a median of 7.22 ng/g lw.
- Exposure levels were lower than those reported for children in the USA.
- BDE-209 was the most abundant congener, followed by BDE-28, -47, -197, and -153.
Conclusions:
- Children in the Taizhou countryside exhibit a low level of PBDE exposure.
- The dominance of BDE-209 suggests a pollution background in China characterized by highly brominated congeners.
Abstract:
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants have attracted much attention in recent years. Exposure to PBDEs could induce a high health risk for children. The aim of this study was to investigate the PBDEs exposure of children (9-12 years) from Taizhou, China. Fifty-eight blood samples were collected in one school in a mountainous area in Taizhou. The concentrations of sigma9PBDEs (sum of BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, -197 and -209) ranged from 2.66 to 33.9 ng/g lipid wet (lw) with a median of 7.22 ng/g lw. These concentrations were lower than those of children in USA, but close to European and Asian general population levels. The results showed that children in Taizhou countryside were at a low level of PBDEs exposure. The predominant congener was BDE-209, followed by BDE-28, -47, -197 and -153. High abundance of BDE-209 was consistent with the pollution background of PBDEs in China characterized by high brominated congeners as main pollutants.
