Flame retardant exposure: polybrominated diphenyl ethers in blood from Swedish workers

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as additives in polymers and teiles to prohibit the development offires.Because ofthe production and use of PBDEs, the lipophilic haracteris- tics, and persistence, these compounds have become ubiquitous environmental con aminants.The aim of the present study was to determine potential exposures of PBDE to derks working fill- time at computer screen and persomnnel at an elecnics-disntling plant, with hospitl deaners as a control group.Five PBDE congeners-2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE; 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE; 2,2',4,4',5,6'-hexBDEE; 2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptaBDE; and decaBDE-were quantified in blood serum from all three categories of workers.Subjects woring at the dismanting plt showed sig- nificantly higher levels of all PBDE congeners in their serum as compared to the control group.Decabromodiphenyl eier is present in concentrations of 5 pmollg lipid weight (1w) in the person- nel dmantling ectronics; these concentratons are comple to the concentrations of2,2',4,4'- tetraBDE.The later compound was the do ting PBDE congener in the derks and deaners.The major compound in personnel at the dismantling plant was 2,2',3,4,4t,5',6-heptaBDE. Concentrations of this PBDE congener are almost twice as high as for 2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE in these workers and seventy times the levl ofthis heptaBDE in deaners.The totl median PBDE concen trations in the serum from workers at the electonics-dismanlding plant, derks, and deaners were 37, 7.3, and 5.4 pmollg lw, respectively.The results show that decabromodiphenyl ether is bioavailable and that occupational exposure to PBDEs occurs at the electronics-dismantding plant.IGy work analysis, blood, contamination, DBDE, decabromodiphenyl ether, electronics recycing, flame nts, levels, occupational exposure, PBDE, persistent organic pollutants, polybromi- nated diphenyl ethers.