Partitioning of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in human blood and milk

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are brominated flame retardants (BFRs) which have recently been detected in human blood and milk in the USA, and presently these PBDE levels are found to be the highest globally. On a population basis, individual blood and individual milk analyses show similar congener patterns and levels. Until now, there has not been a study comparing PBDE levels in milk and blood of the same individuals. This study is the first to report these levels for PBDEs, though partitioning between blood and milk has been done previously for dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Twelve congeners in 11 nursing mothers’ blood and milk were found and the data describe partitioning ratios between blood and milk. The data suggest it may be easier for smaller, less brominated congeners to move from blood to milk.

Keywords:

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
• PBDE congeners
• BFR
• human milk

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the CS Fund, Warsh-Mott Legacy, the Kundstadter Family Foundation, and the Samuel Rubin Foundation for their generous funding.