Potential Health Risk to Brazilian Infants by Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Exposure via Breast Milk Intake

Author(s)

Oliveira Souza, Marilia Cristina ; Devoz, Paula Picoli ; Bianchi Ximenez, Joao Paulo ; Bocato, Mariana Zuccherato ; Rocha, Bruno Alves ; Barbosa, Fernando

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH; v. 19, n. 17, p. 11-pg., 2022-09-01.

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous flame retardants and are environmentally persistent. PBDEs show endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and lower birth weight in infants, and their human body burden has become a public health concern. The infants' exposure begins in the prenatal period and continues via breast milk ingestion, although, little is known about the factors that may influence this exposure. In this study, PBDE levels in Brazilian breast milk were assessed in 200 lactating women. The risk assessment of infants' exposure to PBDE was performed through the estimated daily intake (EDI) calculation. The geometric mean (GM) of n-ary sumation (PBDEs) levels was 2.33 (0.14-6.05) ng/g wet weight. At least one PBDE congener was detected in the samples, and the 2,2 ',4,4 '-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) showed a 100% of detection rate (GM of 1.05 ng/g). Location of residence, maternal level education, monthly salary, and race were positively associated with PBDE levels (p < 0.05). The EDI of BDE-47 was higher in Belo Horizonte (8.29 ng/kg/day) than in Vicosa (6.36 ng/kg/day), as well as for the n-ary sumation (PBDEs) (19.77 versus 12.78 ng/kg/day) (p < 0.05). Taking the high detection rate of PBDEs in breast milk and their toxicity, continuous studies on infant exposure, fetal growth, and child neurodevelopment are requested. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/07994-8 - Determination of fifty-eight aromatic amines in textile products and assessment of pregnant women exposure
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• 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
• 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: 21/03633-0 - Development and application of simple and rapid analytical methods for the determination of endocrine disruptors and oxidative stress biomarkers in biological samples for evaluation of exposure of children and pregnant women
• Grantee: Bruno Alves Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• 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