Feasibility study of feces for noninvasive biomonitoring of brominated flame retardants in toddlers

Environ Sci Technol. 2015 Jan 6;49(1):606-15. doi: 10.1021/es504708c. Epub 2014 Dec 19.

Abstract

This study investigated the feasibility of using feces as a noninvasive matrix to estimate serum concentrations of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in toddlers for biomonitoring purposes. Tri- to decabrominated diphenyl ethers (tri-decaBDEs), isomer-specific hexabromocyclododecanes, and 16 emerging BFRs were determined in feces from 22 toddlers (11-15 months of age), and results were compared to previously analyzed matched serum samples. BDE-47, -153, -196, -197, -203, -206, -207, -208, and -209 were detected in the feces creating a matched data set (feces-serum, n = 21). Tetra-octaBDE concentrations were significantly higher (Student's paired comparisons t test, α = 0.05) in serum versus feces with BDE-153 having the highest mean difference between the sample matrices. BDE-209 was found in significantly higher concentrations in feces compared to serum. Significant correlations (Pearson's, α = 0.05) between congener-specific concentrations in feces and serum were found for all BDEs except BDE-197 and -203. The feces-serum associations found can be used to estimate serum concentrations of tetra-decaBDEs from feces concentrations and enable a noninvasive sampling method for biomonitoring BDEs in toddlers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Feces / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Flame Retardants / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated / analysis*
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated / blood
  • Infant
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Flame Retardants
  • Hydrocarbons, Brominated