A nationwide survey of 20 legacy brominated flame retardants in indoor dust from China: continuing occurrence, national distribution, and implication for human exposure

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in paired dust-breast milk samples: Levels, predictors of contamination, and health risk assessment for infants and mothers

An integrated study on the levels of 7 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in house dust and breast milk samples from women (N = 30) living in these households was conducted. ∑PBDEs ranged from Collapse

Key Words

• Biomonitoring
• Flame retardants
• House dust
• PBDEs
• Risk assessment

Collapse

MESH Headings Collapse

Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Karla Jagić Division of Environmental Hygiene, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb 10001, Croatia
Marija Dvoršćak Division of Environmental Hygiene, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb 10001, Croatia
Blanka Tariba Lovaković Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb 10001, Croatia
Darija Klinčić Division of Environmental Hygiene, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, Zagreb 10001, Croatia.

Collapse

Age, Gender, and BMI Modulate the Hepatotoxic Effects of Brominated Flame Retardant Exposure in US Adolescents and Adults: A Comprehensive Analysis of Liver Injury Biomarkers

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), commonly found in consumer products, have been identified as potential hazards to liver function. While the individual effects of specific BFRs are somewhat understood, there is limited evidence on how mixtures of these chemicals, especially when influenced by demographic factors, interact to affect liver function. This study utilized data from 10,828 participants aged 12 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005-2016) to investigate the associations between BFRs (both individually and in combinations) and biomarkers of liver injury. The study focused on how age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) modify modulate these effects. Multivariate linear regression, restricted cubic spline function, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and quantile g-computation (qgcomp) models were used to analyze the linear, non-linear, and joint associations between BFR levels and liver function parameters. We found positive associations between the mixed BFRs index and AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, and TBIL levels and a negative association with ALB levels. PBDE28, PBDE47, and PBB153 consistently contributed to the top weight in both the WQS and qgcomp models. Most critically, the study demonstrated that the relationship between co-exposure to BFRs and liver function parameters was modified by age, gender, and BMI. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of considering demographic diversity in assessing the risk of BFR-induced liver damage and supports the implementation of tailored preventive and intervention strategies.

Global patterns of human exposure to flame retardants indoors

To fill the knowledge gaps regarding the global patterns of human exposure to flame retardants (FRs) (i.e., brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs)), data on the levels and distributions of FRs in external and internal exposure mediums, including indoor dust, indoor air, skin wipe, serum and urine, were summarized and analysed. Comparatively, FR levels were relatively higher in developed regions in all mediums, and significant positive correlations between FR contamination and economic development level were observed in indoor dust and air. Over time, the concentration of BFRs showed a slightly decreasing trend in all mediums worldwide, whereas OPFRs represented an upward tendency in some regions (e.g., the USA and China). The occurrence levels of FRs and their metabolites in all external and internal media were generally correlated, implying a mutual indicative role among them. Dermal absorption generally contributed >60% of the total exposure of most FR monomers, and dust ingestion was dominant for several low volatile compounds, while inhalation was found to be negligible. The high-risk FR monomers (BDE-47, BDE-99 and TCIPP) identified by external exposure assessment showed similarity to the major FRs or metabolites observed in internal exposure mediums, suggesting the feasibility of using these methods to characterize human exposure and the contribution of indoor exposure to the human burden of FRs. This review highlights the significant importance of exposure assessment based on multiple mediums for future studies.

Occurrence, time trends, and human exposure of siloxanes and synthetic musk compounds in indoor dust from Korean homes

Siloxanes and synthetic musk compounds (SMCs) have been widely used as additives in household and personal care products. Humans are easily exposed to siloxanes and SMCs originating from these products through ingestion and dermal absorption of indoor dust. In the present study, indoor dust samples were analyzed for 19 siloxanes (cyclic and linear) and 12 SMCs (polycyclic, macrocyclic, and nitro musks) to assess their occurrence, time trends over time, source, and health risks. A total of 18 siloxanes and 10 SMCs were detected in all indoor dust samples obtained from 2011⎯2021, indicating widespread and long-term contamination. Higher detection frequencies and concentrations were associated with siloxanes and SMCs with higher use and strong resistance against degradation processes. Indoor dust samples were dominated by linear siloxanes (L11-L13), 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-(g)-2-benzopyran (HHCB), musk ketone (MK), and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN). The frequent use of household and personal care products is likely an important source of siloxane and SMC contamination in indoor environments. The concentrations of siloxanes and SMCs in indoor dust increased from 2011 to 2021, particularly, those of linear siloxanes, reflecting the impact of regulatory actions addressing cyclic siloxanes. The profiles of siloxanes remained stable throughout the study period, whereas those of SMCs shifted from nitro to polycyclic musks. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of siloxanes and SMCs arising from ingestion were greater than from dermal absorption of indoor dust. The EDIs of siloxanes and SMCs associated with indoor dust indicated that children are exposed to these pollutants.

Legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in eggs of night herons and poultries from the upper Yangtze Basin, Southwest China

Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) eggs have been identified as useful indicators for biomonitoring the environmental pollution in China. In this study, we investigated thirty eggs of black-crowned night heron collected from the upper Yangtze River (Changjiang) Basin, Southwest China, for the occurrence of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Our results showed a general presence of POPs in night heron eggs with OCPs being the dominant contaminants, having a geometric mean concentration of 22.2 ng g-1 wet weight (ww), followed by PCBs (1.36 ng g-1 ww), PBDEs (0.215 ng g-1 ww), and PCDD/Fs (23.0 pg g-1 ww). The concentration levels were found to be significantly higher in night heron eggs than in poultry eggs by one or two magnitude orders. Among OCP congeners, p,p'-DDE was found to be predominant in night heron eggs, with a geometric mean concentration of 15.1 ng g-1 ww. Furthermore, species-specific congener patterns in eggs suggested similar or different sources for different POPs, possibly associated with contaminated soil and parental dietary sources. Additionally, estimated daily intakes (EDIs) were used to evaluate non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk associated with consumption of bird eggs. Our results revealed non-negligible non-cancer and cancer risk for humans who consume wild bird eggs as a regular diet instead of poultry eggs.

Levels, distribution, childhood exposure assessment, and influencing factors of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in household dust from nine cities in China

Household dust is an important source of premature exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), especially for children. In this onsite study, 246 dust samples were collected from 224 households in nine Chinese cities during 2018-2019. Questionnaires were administered to explore the association between household-related information and PBDEs in household dust. The median concentration of Σ₁₂PBDEs in household dust from 9 cities was 138 ng/g (94-227 ng/g), with the arithmetic mean of 240 ± 401 ng/g. Among the nine cities, the highest median concentration of Σ₁₂PBDEs in household dust was found in Mianyang (295.57 ng/g), while the lowest was found in Wuxi (23.15 ng/g). BDE-71 was the most dominant congener, ranging from 42.08 % to 98.15 % of the 12 PBDE congeners among 9 cities. Three potential sources for the indoor environment were Penta-BDE, Octa-BDE commercial products, and photolytic bromine from Deca-BDEs based on the largest contribution (81.24 %). Under the moderate exposure scenario, the exposure levels through ingestion and dermal absorption for children were 7.30 × 10^-1 ng/kg BW/day and 3.26 × 10^-2 ng/kg BW/day, respectively. Temperature, CO₂, years of residence, income, family size, household size, use of computers, heating, use of insecticide, and use of humidifiers were influential factors for PBDE concentrations in household dust. Based on the evidence of the correlation between PBDEs and these household parameters, it can be applied to reduce PBDE concentrations in household dust, which is a basis for controlling PBDEs pollution in Chinese households and protecting population health.