Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and selected organochlorines in human breast milk samples from the United Kingdom.

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as additive flame retardants in products such as paints, textiles and plastics to reduce fire risk1. They are lipophilic, have low vapour pressures and bioaccumulate through the foodchain2. PBDEs were first detected in the environment in Sweden, in 1981 by Andersson and Blomkvist3. Since then they have been found in many environmental matrices including human body fat stores4.
PCBs and organochlorine pesticides have been widely studied and their toxicity and effects in humans are well known and documented5. In contrast, the health effects of PBDEs are relatively unknown. Since they are structurally similar to PCBs we can assume that they might be toxic to humans in the same way as PCBs. Over the last two decades there have been indications of increased human PBDE concentrations, although their levels are still generally lower than those of PCBs.
Being persistent chemicals, PBDEs, PCBs and OC pesticides accumulate in the human body. Because milk has a relatively high fat content, these lipophilic chemicals persist and accumulate in it. This study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of PBDEs in human breast milk from women in the UK, relate them to concentrations of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in the same samples and compare any possible differences between an urban area and a more rural one.