Predictors of Serum Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Concentrations among Children Aged 1-5 Years

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Lyndsey Darrow, Emory University; Melanie H. Jacobson, Emory University; Emma V. Preston, Emory University; Grace E. Lee, Emory University; Parinya Panuwet, Emory University; Ronald E. Hunter, Emory University; M. Elizabeth Marder, Emory University; Michele Marcus, Emory University; Dana Boyd Barr, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-01-03
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2016 American Chemical Society.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b04696
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Environmental Science and Technology
• ISSN: 0013-936X
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 645
• End Page: 654
• Grant/Funding Information: Funding provided by National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences grant R21ES019697.
• Keywords: EXTRACTION; CHAMACOS; Environmental Sciences & Ecology; COHORT; EXPOSURE; POPULATION; Science & Technology; VARIABLES; HANDWIPES; PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS; CALIFORNIA; Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; HOUSE-DUST; Environmental Sciences; Engineering
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

Serum concentrations of PBDEs were measured using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 80 children aged 15-71 months. Demographic and behavioral data were collected on parental questionnaires; a research nurse recorded anthropometric measures and insurance status. For a subset of children (n = 17), PBDEs were measured in house dust and child handwipes sampled during a home visit. In linear and Tobit regression, log-transformed PBDE congeners were modeled as a function of child characteristics, including neighborhood-level socioeconomic indicators. BDE congeners 47, 99, and 100 were highly correlated and summed for analysis; BDE-153 was examined individually. PBDE serum concentrations were associated with socioeconomic factors; for example, a $20,000 increase in median household income in a child's ZIP code was associated with a 34% decrease (95%CI = 14-49%) in BDE-153 and a 26% decrease (95%CI = 6-42%) in -BDE-47,-99,-100. Lower body-mass index (BMI) z-score and household smoking were strong predictors of higher BDE-153 levels. Among children who participated in a home visit, serum PBDE was positively correlated with handwipe PBDE (Spearman r -BDE-47, -99, -100 = 0.48, p = 0.09), but not dust PBDE. Results indicate socioeconomic factors and BMI are strong predictors of serum PBDE levels among young children. PBDEs measured on handwipes are more predictive of serum PBDE levels than vacuum-collected dust.