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Health risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in baby clothes. A preliminary study
Marta Herrero1, Neus González1, Joaquim Rovira2
1Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201, Reus, Catalonia, Spain.
Insights
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in infant bodysuits pose minimal health risks due to low dermal absorption. Organic cotton clothing showed lower PCB levels than conventional cotton, warranting further investigation into textile safety.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Consumer Product Safety
Background:
- Textiles, particularly infant clothing, can contain chemical additives like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
- Infants are highly susceptible to chemical exposure due to prolonged skin contact with textiles.
- Assessing human health risks associated with PCBs in infant apparel is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in infant bodysuits.
- To estimate the dermal absorption of PCBs in children of various ages.
- To evaluate the non-cancer and cancer risks associated with PCB exposure from clothing.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 12 dioxin-like and 8 non-dioxin-like PCB congeners in ten bodysuits using gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry.
- Detection limits for PCBs ranged from 0.01 to 0.13 pg/g.
- Estimation of dermal absorption and risk assessment for infants aged 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years.
Main Results:
- Total PCB levels in bodysuits ranged from 74.2 to 412 pg/g, with a mean TEQ concentration of 13.4 pg WHO-TEQ/kg.
- Organic cotton bodysuits had significantly lower mean PCB concentrations (11.0 pg WHO-TEQ/kg) compared to regular cotton (15.8 pg WHO-TEQ/kg).
- Estimated dermal absorption of PCBs for infants was approximately 3·10⁻⁵ pg WHO-TEQ/kg·day, substantially lower than dietary intake and posing no significant health risk.
Conclusions:
- The dermal exposure to PCBs from infant bodysuits is unlikely to pose a health risk.
- Organic cotton appears to be a safer alternative regarding PCB content in infant clothing.
- Further research with larger sample sizes and broader chemical analyses is recommended to confirm findings and assess co-occurring toxicants.
Abstract:
Clothes may contain a large range of chemical additives and other toxic substances, which may eventually pose a significant risk to human health. Since they are associated with pigments, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be especially relevant. On the other hand, infants are very sensitive to chemical exposure and they may wear some contact and colored textiles for a prolonged time. Consequently, a specific human health risk assessment is required. This preliminary study was aimed at analyzing the concentrations of PCBs in ten bodysuits purchased in on-line stores and local retailers. The concentrations of 12 dioxin-like and 8 non-dioxin-like PCB congeners were determined by gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry, with detection limits ranging between 0.01 and 0.13 pg/g. The dermal absorption to PCBs of children at different ages (6 months, 1 year and 3 years old) was estimated, and the non-cancer and cancer risks were evaluated. Total levels of PCBs ranged from 74.2 to 412 pg/g, with a mean TEQ concentration of 13.4 pg WHO-TEQ/kg. Bodysuits made of organic cotton presented a total mean PCB concentration substantially lower than clothes made of regular cotton (11.0 vs. 15.8 pg WHO-TEQ/kg). The dermal absorption to PCBs for infants was calculated in around 3·10-5 pg WHO-TEQ/kg·day, regardless the age. This value is > 10,000-fold lower than the dietary intake of PCBs, either through breastfeeding or food consumption. Furthermore, this exposure value would not pose any health risks for the infants wearing those bodysuits. Anyhow, as it is a very preliminary study, this should be confirmed by analyzing larger sets of textile samples. Further investigations should be also focused on the co-occurrence of PCBs and other toxic chemicals (i.e., formaldehyde, bisphenols and aromatic amines) in infant clothes.
