Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure in children: Possible associations with cardiovascular and psychological functions

Abstract

Background Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) have been used widely in consumer products and are currently found at detectable levels in the blood of humans and animals across the globe. In stark contrast to this widespread exposure to PBDEs, there is relatively little research on potential adverse health effects of exposure of children to these chemicals. Objectives We performed this cross-sectional study to determine if blood PBDE levels (for 4 congeners) are associated with cardiovascular stress responses and psychological states in children. Methods Levels of 4 PBDE congeners (BDE-28, -47, -99, and -100) in whole blood were measured in children (N = 43). These levels were analyzed in relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors, including cardiovascular responses to acute stress and relevant psychological variables, namely, hostility and depression. Results Higher levels of blood PBDEs were associated with significantly greater sympathetic activation during acute psychological stress and greater anger, as evidenced by significant associations with 3 different measures of this psychological variable. Conclusions This study suggests an association between PBDE exposure and children’s cardiovascular responses to stress as well as parental and self-reported anger in the child. These variables are particularly important as they may be of potential relevance to the future development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although intriguing, there is a need for further investigation and replication with a larger sample of children.

Sources of halogenated brominated retardants in house dust in an industrial city in southern China and associated human exposure

“…This exposure route is particularly important for young children because of their tendency to play on the floors and frequent hand-to-mouth contact, in agreement with the much greater PBDE exposure of toddlers than adults in previous studies (Jones-Otazo et al, 2005;Fischer et al, 2006). Furthermore, adverse effects such as developmental neurotoxicity and cardiovascular function by prenatal and early-life exposure to PBDEs have been demonstrated in recent studies (Costa and Giordano, 2007;Gascon et al, 2012;Gump et al, 2014), underlining the importance of human exposure to HFRs associated with house dust and other sources (Domingo, 2012).…”

Background lead and mercury exposures: Psychological and behavioral problems in children

“…In addition, although we did control for some potential confounds, there may have been other unmeasured confounds. For example, although exposure to Hg and Pb was controlled for in all our analyses (in other words, all models included both of these toxicants), other toxicants such as perfluorochemicals (PFCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) may covary with Pb and Hg and be associated with the outcomes we measured (52, 53). We plan to seek funding to measure these additional toxicants.…”

Multiparameter toxicity assessment of novel DOPO-derived organophosphorus flame retardants

“…2, 3). However, epidemiological investigations focusing on the relationship between PBDE exposure in early development and deficits in psychomotor and IQ performance in later life indicated a profound influence of PBDE-99 on the development and function of the neuronal system (Shy et al 2011; Gump et al 2014; Herbstman et al 2010; Chevrier et al 2010; Chao et al 2011). Our observation of the selective influence of PBDE-99 on central and peripheral neuronal integrity was fundamentally supported by other reported in vitro observations indicating pronounced selective toxicity in neuronal cells (Schreiber et al 2010).…”