Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Brazilian food of animal origin and estimation of human dietary exposure

Author(s)

Oliveira Souza, Marilia Cristina ^[1] ; Rocha, Bruno Alves ^[2] ; Oliveira Souza, Juliana Maria ^[1] ; Jacinto Souza, Joao Carlos ^[1] ; Barbosa, Fernando ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, ASTox Lab Toxicol Analit & Sistemas, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Ciencias Ambientais Quim & Farmaceut, Rua Prof Artur Riedel 275, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Food and Chemical Toxicology; v. 150, APR 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants, commonly used as flame retardants in a wide variety of products. In the last years, the concentration of PBDEs is increasing in the environment, turning human exposure more common. Since the diet is the primary source of human exposure, several surveys evaluate the levels of PBDEs in foods to estimate the dietary intake and the hazard index (HI). However, this data is limited in Brazil. Thus, this study aims to determine the level of seven PBDE congeners (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183) in Brazilian food of animal origin. The total concentration of PBDE (Sigma PBDE) determined in the food samples were 2.29 (0.92-4.85) ng/g wet weight (ww), 1.98 (1.23-3.12) ng/g ww, 1.91 (1.23-3.12) ng/g ww, and 4.42 (1.26-8.42) ng/g ww in eggs, fish, seafood, and milk, respectively. BDE-47 was the most abundant compound. Based on consumer habits and the found levels of PBDEs in Brazilian food, we estimated the daily intake of Sigma PBDEs as 3.25 (0.02-2.19) ng/kg bw per day. Surprisingly, the PBDE levels in milk samples were higher than those found in reported studies in other countries, and the consumption of milk products give a higher relative contribution to PBDEs exposure. The HI was <1. A complete risk assessment of the human exposure to PBDEs most likely could be evaluated considering all commercial PBDEs congeners and other exposure sources of these contaminants. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/19665-8 - Determination of the main representatives of polybrominated diphenyl ethers class (PBDEs) in fish, eggs and milk employing microextraction packed sorbent (MEPS) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/07161-6 - Exposure evaluation to pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and toxic elements in Brazilian children: establishment of reference values and possible association with oxidative stress biomarkers.
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/24069-3 - ReSEARCH: Recognizing Signatures of the Exposome to Anticipate the Risks for a Continuous Health
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants