Levels and profiles of pentabromodiphenyl ether contaminants in human breast milk from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate levels of pentabromodiphenyl ether )PBDEs( in breast milk samples from healthy mothers who had lived in Riyadh for the last 5 years. Methods:In this cross sectional study, 75 samples were collected and were extracted, cleaned by solid-phase extraction )SPE( and PBDEs analysis was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Results: Total PBDEs )∑PBDEs( ranged from 0.2 to 3.6 ng/g lipid weight )lw(. were the dominant congeners. The mothers in this study consumed more meat )69%(, followed by the egg )50%(, and milk )36%(. The majority of donors consumed fish )44%( and egg )33%( 2 times per week. The majority of the participating mothers had completed higher Original Article education )68%(. All PBDE congeners were detected in the human breast milk samples with high detection frequency )98%(. The dominant congener was BDE 47, accounting more than 39% of all BDE congeners, followed by BDE-99 and BDEs 153 which accounted for18% and 12% of the total BDE congeners respectively. Conclusion:Higher rates of meat and poultry consumption were positively associated with higher breast milk levels of ∑PBDEs. The significant levels of PBDEs that occur in the meat and poultry reared in Saudi Arabia need further investigation especially as Saudis among largest consumers of poultry meat.