Publication
Title
Exposure to hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) via dust ingestion, but not diet, correlates with concentrations in human serum: preliminary results
Author
Abstract
Background: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a high-production-volume chemical used as flame retardant in polystyrene insulation and textiles. Because it is not chemically bound to the polymer, HBCD can migrate into the environment, contaminating indoor dust and foodstuff. Objectives: We examined for the first time the relationship between combined exposure to three HBCD isomers (ÓHBCDs) via ingestion of food (duplicate diets) and indoor dust and HBCD concentrations in serum for 16 Belgian adults (2025 years of age). We also determined the chiral signatures of HBCDs to advance understanding of source-to-human enantioselective degradation and/or metabolism. Methods: Concentrations and chiral signatures of á-, â-, and ã-HBCD in duplicate diets, dust, and serum were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Dietary intakes of ÓHBCDs were 1.220 ng/day (average, 7.2 ng/day), whereas those estimated under average (20 mg dust/day) and high (50 mg dust/day) dust ingestion scenarios were 1.115 ng/day (average intake, 3.2 ng/day) and 2.838 ng/day (average intake, 8.0 ng/day), respectively. Concentrations of ÓHBCDs measured in blood serum were < 0.5 to 11 ng/g lipid weight (lw) (average, 2.9 ng/g lw). ã-HBCD dominated in food, whereas á-HBCD dominated in dust and was the sole isomer in serum. Although exposure via dust ingestion correlated significantly (p < 0.01) with concentrations in serum, no such correlation was evident with dietary exposure (p > 0.1). Although no enantioselective enrichment was detected in either dust or diet, substantial enrichment of ()á-HBCD was observed in serum. Conclusions: Serum concentrations of HBCDs were correlated with the exposure via dust, but not via dietary ingestion. The enrichment of the ()á-HBCD enantiomer in humans appears to be due to in vivo enantioselective metabolism/excretion rather than ingestion of dust or diet.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Environmental health perspectives. - Research Triangle Park, N.C., 1972, currens
Publication
Research Triangle Park, N.C. : 2009
ISSN
0091-6765
1552-9924 [online]
DOI
10.1289/EHP.0900869
Volume/pages
117 :11 (2009) , p. 1707-1712
ISI
000271399300026
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 24.11.2009
Last edited 25.05.2022
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