Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated biphenyl ethers in adipose tissue and matched serum from an E-waste recycling area (Wenling, China)

Environ Pollut. 2015 Apr:199:219-26. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2015.02.008. Epub 2015 Feb 11.

Abstract

To Date, the knowledge on relationship between PCBs/PBDEs exposure and thyroid hormones (THs) levels during pregnancy still needs to be extended. Meanwhile, studies on congener-specific adipose-serum ratios for PCBs/PBDEs were limited. This study reports the levels of PCBs/PBDEs in serum-adipose tissue samples (n = 64) from expectant women living surrounding e-waste recycling sites in Wenling, China. Their concentrations varied from several to hundreds of ng g(-1) lipid. Maternal exposure to PCBs was associated with lower TSH during pregnancy, suggesting possible implication for maternal health and fetal development. The compound levels between the adipose tissue and matched serum samples were highly correlated (p < 0.001), generating a predicted adipose-serum partitioning relationship for individual PCB congener and PBDE congener. Molecular characteristics, such as Kow value, molecular weight and molecular volume, may play a key role in the variable partitioning of some compounds between serum and adipose tissue.

Keywords: Adipose/serum ratio; E-waste; PCBs and PBDEs; THs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism*
  • China
  • Electronic Waste*
  • Female
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / blood
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Maternal Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / analysis
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls / metabolism
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / blood
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Recycling
  • Thyroid Hormones

Substances

  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls