Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and their hydroxlyated and methoxylated derivatives in blood from E-waste recyclers, commercial fisherman and office workers in the Puget Sound, WA region
Presentation Abstract
Synthetic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used as flame retardants in many consumer products including electronic devices. Important routes of human exposure are contaminated food and contact with dust found in households and workplaces. Structurally related derivatives of PBDEs are the hydroxylated (OH-PBDEs) and methoxylated forms (MeO-PBDEs). Humans can metabolize some PBDEs into the OH-PBDE derivative, which is a concern due to greater health risks associated with OH-PBDEs. However, certain OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs are also marine natural products and it is unclear although likely, that marine fish and shellfish, which bioaccumulate these compounds serve as a vector for human exposures. In this study, we compared approximately 30 different PBDE, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in household / workplace dust and blood plasma samples provided by 114 volunteers living in the Puget Sound region of Washington State and working in the commercial fishing, electronic recycling or non-specific office occupations. Prior to blood sampling, a two-week food consumption diary is obtained from each volunteer. Results indicate the sum PBDE levels varied between < 30 and up to 3000 ng/ml ww. The OH-PBDEs were detected in all volunteers varying between < 5 – 800 ng/ml ww. The MeO-PBDEs were detected in most, but not all volunteers varying between 0 – 1000 ng/ml ww. For the large majority of volunteers, the sum PBDE levels exceeded the combined OH-PBDE and MeO-PBDEs. Exceptions to this observation were individuals that consumed the highest amounts of seafood (more than 5 and up to 18 servings / week). Electronic waste recyclers generally consumed low amounts of seafood and had PBDE, OH-PBDE and MeO-PBDE blood levels that were intermediate between seafood consumers and non-E-waste office workers. Dust samples from E-waste sites were particularly enriched with PBDE-209 and PBDE-153 relative to non-E-waste businesses and homes. Supported by NIOSH Grant 1R21OH010259-01A1.
Session Title
Contaminants of Emerging Concern: Intersection of Occurrence, Impacts, Research, and Policy
Conference Track
Fate and Effects of Pollutants
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Hazardous substances--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Health risk assessment--Washington (State)--Puget Sound;
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and their hydroxlyated and methoxylated derivatives in blood from E-waste recyclers, commercial fisherman and office workers in the Puget Sound, WA region
2016SSEC
Synthetic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used as flame retardants in many consumer products including electronic devices. Important routes of human exposure are contaminated food and contact with dust found in households and workplaces. Structurally related derivatives of PBDEs are the hydroxylated (OH-PBDEs) and methoxylated forms (MeO-PBDEs). Humans can metabolize some PBDEs into the OH-PBDE derivative, which is a concern due to greater health risks associated with OH-PBDEs. However, certain OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs are also marine natural products and it is unclear although likely, that marine fish and shellfish, which bioaccumulate these compounds serve as a vector for human exposures. In this study, we compared approximately 30 different PBDE, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in household / workplace dust and blood plasma samples provided by 114 volunteers living in the Puget Sound region of Washington State and working in the commercial fishing, electronic recycling or non-specific office occupations. Prior to blood sampling, a two-week food consumption diary is obtained from each volunteer. Results indicate the sum PBDE levels varied between < 30 and up to 3000 ng/ml ww. The OH-PBDEs were detected in all volunteers varying between < 5 – 800 ng/ml ww. The MeO-PBDEs were detected in most, but not all volunteers varying between 0 – 1000 ng/ml ww. For the large majority of volunteers, the sum PBDE levels exceeded the combined OH-PBDE and MeO-PBDEs. Exceptions to this observation were individuals that consumed the highest amounts of seafood (more than 5 and up to 18 servings / week). Electronic waste recyclers generally consumed low amounts of seafood and had PBDE, OH-PBDE and MeO-PBDE blood levels that were intermediate between seafood consumers and non-E-waste office workers. Dust samples from E-waste sites were particularly enriched with PBDE-209 and PBDE-153 relative to non-E-waste businesses and homes. Supported by NIOSH Grant 1R21OH010259-01A1.
