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2343725 
Journal Article 
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in UK human milk: Implications for infant exposure and relationship to external exposure 
Abdallah, MAE; Harrad, S 
2014 
1 
Environment International
ISSN: 0160-4120
EISSN: 1873-6750 
63 
130-136 
English 
24291653 
WOS:000330909900015 
Fourteen tri-deca polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were investigated in 35 human milk samples from Birmingham, UK. While none of the hepta-nona BDEs (the main components of the octaBDE technical mixture) was above the limit of quantitation (LOQ); BDE-47 (average concentration = 3.3 ng g(-1) lipid weight (lw)) was quantified in all samples contributing 34-74% to Sigma tri-hexa BDEs (the principal constituents of the pentaBDE commercial formulation). BDE-209 (the main congener in the decaBDE formulation) was present above the LOQ in 69% of samples (average concentration = 0.31 ng g(-1) lw). Concentrations of Sigma tri-hexa BDEs ranged from 0.2 to 26 ng g(-1) lw with concentrations of BDE-47 > BDE-153 > BDE-99. While concentrations of Sigma tri-hexa BDEs in this study (average = 5.95 ng g(-1) lw) were at the high end of those reported from other European countries, concentrations of BDE-209 were lower than those reported in human milk from other countries. The average exposure of a UK nursing infant to Sigma tri-hexa BDEs (35 ng (kg bw)(-1) day(-1)) via breast milk exceeded the upper-bound dietary intakes of both UK adults and toddlers. Using a simple one compartment pharmacokinetic model, PBDE intakes of UK adults via inhalation, diet and dust ingestion were converted to predicted body burdens. Predictions compared well with those observed for Sigma tri-hexa BDEs and BDE-209 in breast milk. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
PBDEs; Human milk; Infant exposure; BDE 209