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Article

Human Exposure to PBDEs: Associations of PBDE Body Burdens with Food Consumption and House Dust Concentrations

Supporting Info

Nerissa Wu,^† Thomas Herrmann,^‡ Olaf Paepke,^‡ Joel Tickner,^§ Robert Hale, Ellen Harvey, Mark La Guardia, Michael D. McClean,^† and Thomas F. Webster*^†

Department of Environmental Health (Talbot 2E), Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, EurofinsERGO Research, Geierstr. 1, D-22305 Hamburg, Germany, Center for Sustainable Production, University of MassachusettsLowell, 3 Solomont Way Suite 3, Lowell, Massachusetts 01854-5127, and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Rt. 1208, Greate Road, P.O. Box 1346, Gloucester Point, Virginia 23062

Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41 (5), pp 1584–1589

DOI: 10.1021/es0620282

Publication Date (Web): January 17, 2007

†

Boston University.

‡

EurofinsERGO Research.

University of Massachusetts.

Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Corresponding author phone: (617) 638-4620; fax: (617) 638-4857; e-mail: twebster@bu.edu.

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the body burden of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) among first-time mothers in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area and to explore key routes of exposure. We collected breast milk samples from 46 first-time mothers, 2−8 weeks after birth. We also sampled house dust from the homes of a subset of participants by vacuuming commonly used areas. Data on personal characteristics, diet, home furniture, and electrical devices were gathered from each participant using a questionnaire. Breast milk and dust samples were analyzed for PBDEs using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. PBDE concentrations were log-normally distributed in breast milk and dust. We found statistically significant, positive associations between PBDE concentrations in breast milk and house dust (r = 0.76, p = 0.003, not including BDE-209), as well as with reported dietary habits, particularly the consumption of dairy products (r = 0.41, p = 0.005) and meat (r = 0.37, p = 0.01). Due to low detection rates, it was not possible to draw conclusions about the association between BDE-209 in milk and dust. Our results support the hypothesis that the indoor environment and diet both play prominent roles in adult human exposure to PBDEs.

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