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Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Umbilical Cord Blood and Relevant Factors in Neonates from Guiyu, China

2009; American Chemical Society; Volume: 44; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1021/es9024518

1520-5851

Kusheng Wu, Xijin Xu, Liu Jun-xiao, Yongyong Guo, Yan Li, Xia Huo,

Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment

We aimed to evaluate the exposure of neonates to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from a primitive e-waste (obsolete electrical and electronic devices) recycling area, in Guiyu, China, and a control area, Chaonan, China, through umbilical cord blood (UCB), the health effects, and relevant factors. Questionnaires were addressed, and UCB was collected shortly after birth from 153 pregnant women between May and July 2007. Blood samples were prepared by liquid−liquid extracting methods. PBDE concentration was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the electron capture negative ionization mode. The total PBDE concentration was higher in UCB samples from Guiyu than in Chaonan samples (median 13.84, range 1.14−504.97 ng g−1 lipid, vs 5.23, range 0.29−363.70 ng g−1 lipid) (p < 0.05). BDE-209 was the dominant PBDE congener, followed by BDE-47, -153, and -99. Residence in Guiyu, which is a site for e-waste recycling, involvment in e-waste recycling, and the residence also being used as a family workshop were significant factors contributing to PBDE exposure. PBDE levels significantly differed in neonates by normal birth and adverse birth outcomes including stillbirth, low birth weight, and premature delivery (p < 0.05). The neonates from Guiyu are exposed to high levels of PBDEs. Prenatal exposure to PBDEs may affect neonates' health in Guiyu, which still needs to be evaluated in larger epidemiological studies.