Brominated flame retardant exposure of aircraft personnel

Strid, A; Smedje, G; Athanassiadis, I; Lindgren, T; Lundgren, H; Jakobsson, K; Bergman, A

HERO ID

2343686

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2014

Language

English

PMID

24745557

HERO ID 2343686
In Press No
Year 2014
Title Brominated flame retardant exposure of aircraft personnel
Authors Strid, A; Smedje, G; Athanassiadis, I; Lindgren, T; Lundgren, H; Jakobsson, K; Bergman, A
Journal Chemosphere
Volume 116
Page Numbers 83-90
Abstract The use of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in aircraft is the result of high fire safety demands. Personnel working in or with aircraft might therefore be exposed to several BFRs. Previous studies have reported PBDE exposure in flight attendants and in passengers. One other group that may be subjected to significant BFR exposure via inhalation, are the aircraft maintenance workers. Personnel exposure both during flights and maintenance of aircraft, are investigated in the present study. Several BFRs were present in air and dust sampled during both the exposure scenarios; PBDEs, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) and 1,2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane. PBDEs were also analyzed in serum from pilots/cabin crew, maintenance workers and from a control group of individuals without any occupational aircraft exposure. Significantly higher concentrations of PBDEs were found in maintenance workers compared to pilots/cabin crew and control subjects with median total PBDE concentrations of 19, 6.8 and 6.6pmolg(-1) lipids, respectively. Pilots and cabin crew had similar concentrations of most PBDEs as the control group, except for BDE-153 and BDE-154 which were significantly higher. Results indicate higher concentrations among some of the pilots compared to the cabin crew. It is however, evident that the cabin personnel have lower BFR exposures compared to maintenance workers that are exposed to such a degree that their blood levels are significantly different from the control group.
Doi 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.03.073
Pmid 24745557
Wosid WOS:000343623200013
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Occupational exposure; Pilots; Cabin crew; Aircraft maintenance workers; BFRs