Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Levels in Livers of U.S. Human Fetuses and Newborns

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) brominated flame retardants have recently been found to contaminate humans in the United States and other countries. U.S. human breast milk and blood levels of PBDEs are presently the highest in the world. U.S. cord blood samples tested positive for PBDEs, but until now there have been no peer-reviewed published data concerning levels of PBDEs in human tissue prior to and immediately after birth. Liver tissues were obtained from 4 stillborn fetuses and 7 liveborn infants, ranging from 20.5 to 39 wk gestational age; only 2 of the liveborn infants lived longer than 4 h and none were formula-fed or nursed, so tissue levels reflect intrauterine PBDE intake only. All samples were contaminated with PBDEs. Levels varied from 4 to 98 ppb, lipid. The mean level was 23.1 and the median 15.2 ppb, lipid. PBDE levels did not increase with gestational age. These data document the transfer of PBDEs from maternal to fetal tissue. PBDE concentrations are somewhat lower than those reported in adult blood or breast milk. The health consequences of prenatal contamination are not clear at present.

Brominated flame retardants in US food

“…All persons studied were contaminated with PBDEs, with levels ranging from approximately 6 -419 ng/g, lipid, in blood or milk from adults. We also found all human fetal tissues measured contaminated with PBDEs but at lower levels than in adducts indicating transfer from mother to fetus before birth through blood, which serves as nourishment to the fetus [36]. The exposure of PBDEs during organogenesis as well as during nursing is of concern.…”

Developmental neurotoxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants

“…PBDEs can also cross the placenta, and similar concentrations are found in maternal and fetal blood, as illustrated in Table 6. Levels of PBDEs ranging from 4 to 98.5 ng/g lipid have also been found in fetal liver (Schecter et al 2007). In almost all cases, BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-153 were among the PBDEs found in highest amounts.…”

Parental Transfer of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Thyroid Endocrine Disruption in Zebrafish

“…10 Like other lipophilic organic compounds, maternal transfer of several PBDEs has previously been observed in various species, such as frogs, 11 birds, 12,13 rats, 14 and humans. 15 Recently, maternal transfer of PBDEs to the offspring following parental exposure via feed was observed in zebrafish in laboratory experiments 16 and in the field. 17 This vertical transfer provides an opportunity for PBDEs to interfere with developmental effects on the progeny.…”