Predictors of serum concentrations of polybrominated flame retardants among healthy pregnant women in an urban environment: a cross-sectional study

Environmental Health

Research

Richard Jones¹  Andreas Sjodin¹  Robin Whyatt²  Xinhua Liu³  Pam Factor-Litvak⁴  Megan K Horton⁵  Ronald Wapner⁶  Sabine Bousleiman⁶ 

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA;Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;722 W. 168th St, Room 735, NY, 10033, New York, USA;Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA;

关键词: PBDEs;    Human exposure;    Diet;    Lifestyle;    Pregnancy;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1476-069X-12-23

 received in 2012-06-12, accepted in 2013-02-04,  发布年份 2013

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants commonly used in a wide range of products. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs has been associated with adverse neurodevelopment. Our objective was to characterize predictors of exposure to PBDEs among a multi-ethnic, low-income cohort of pregnant women enrolled from highly urban communities in New York City between years 2009–2010.MethodsDuring the first half of pregnancy we collected 316 maternal serum samples and administered an extensive questionnaire including items on demographics, diet and lifestyle. We measured 12 PBDE congeners in blood samples. Using bivariate and multivariate approaches, we regressed the most commonly detected PBDE congeners (PBDE-47, -99, -100 and -153) against potential demographic, dietary and lifestyle predictor variables.ResultsAt least one PBDE congener was detected in each serum sample. Our analyses demonstrate unique predictor patterns for PBDE-47, -99, -100 and -153 based on demographic, lifestyle and dietary characteristics of women. Higher education and increased use of household electronics were associated with higher levels of all 4 congeners. Six characteristics were associated with PBDE-153 serum concentrations, more than for any other congener. These include maternal education, household income, body mass index, solid dairy consumption, processed meat consumption and frequent use of household electronics.ConclusionsPBDE exposure in this widespread in this cohort, though levels are lower than previous assessments of US pregnant women. Lower levels may be in response to legislation restricting the production, sale and use of these compounds. In our cohort, we did not observe any individual predictor or a consistent pattern of several predictors representing a significant source of PBDE exposure. These data suggest that legislation and policy may be more effective at reducing exposure than personal lifestyle modifications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Horton et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2013