Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
Environ Sci Technol. 2012 Nov 6;46(21):12146-53. doi: 10.1021/es302638d. Epub 2012 Oct 16.
Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are brominated flame retardants that have been found in human milk and serum throughout the world, but have received comparatively little attention in the United States. The objective of this study is to determine concentrations of these analytes in samples of breast milk collected from first-time mothers in the Greater Boston, Massachusetts area and to explore predictors of exposure. Human milk samples were analyzed by LC-ESI-MS/MS for TBBP-A, HBCDs (the α, β, and γ diastereomers), and HBCD degradation products: pentabromocyclododecanes (PBCDs) and tetrabromocyclododecadienes (TBCDs). HBCD diastereomers were detected in all samples with α-HBCD present in the highest proportion. TBBP-A, PBCDs, and TBCDs were detected in 35%, 42%, and 56% of the analyzed samples, respectively. Self-reported demographic, dietary and behavioral data were examined as predictors of HBCD levels. Levels of HBCD were significantly, positively associated with the number of stereo and video electronics in the home (17% increase/item; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 4-31%) and reduced in participants who regularly chose organic foods compared to those who did not (0.51, 95% CI = 0.32-0.82). These results suggest that lifestyle factors are related to body burdens of HBCD and that domestic electronics may be an important source of HBCD exposure in the indoor environment.
四溴双酚 A（TBBP-A）和六溴环十二烷（HBCDs）是溴化阻燃剂，已在全世界的人乳和血清中检出，但在美国受到的关注相对较少。本研究的目的是测定马萨诸塞州大波士顿地区初为人母的母乳样本中这些分析物的浓度，并探讨其暴露的预测因素。采用 LC-ESI-MS/MS 对 TBBP-A、HBCDs（α、β 和 γ 非对映异构体）和 HBCD 降解产物：五溴环十二烷（PBCDs）和四溴环十二二烯（TBCDs）进行了分析。所有样本中均检出 HBCD 非对映异构体，其中以α-HBCD 为主。TBBP-A、PBCDs 和 TBCDs 分别在 35%、42%和 56%的分析样本中检出。研究人员对自我报告的人口统计学、饮食和行为数据进行了检查，以探究其对 HBCD 水平的预测作用。HBCD 水平与家庭中立体声音响和视频电子设备的数量呈显著正相关（每增加一件设备，HBCD 水平升高 17%；95%置信区间[CI]为 4-31%），与选择有机食品的参与者相比，不选择有机食品的参与者 HBCD 水平较低（降低 0.51；95%CI 为 0.32-0.82）。这些结果表明，生活方式因素与 HBCD 体内负荷有关，家庭电器可能是室内环境中 HBCD 暴露的一个重要来源。
