Premium
Dietary exposure to brominated flame retardants correlates with male blood levels in a selected group of Norwegians with a wide range of seafood consumption
Author(s) -
Knutsen Helle K.,
Kvalem Helen E.,
Thomsen Cathrine,
Frøshaug May,
Haugen Margaretha,
Becher Georg,
Alexander Jan,
Meltzer Helle M.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.200700096
Subject(s) - hexabromocyclododecane , polybrominated diphenyl ethers , congener , chemistry , body weight , food science , zoology , food contaminant , toxicology , environmental chemistry , biology , fire retardant , endocrinology , pollutant , organic chemistry
This study investigates dietary exposure and serum levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in a group of Norwegians ( n = 184) with a wide range of seafood consumption (4–455 g/day). Mean dietary exposure to Sum 5 PBDEs (1.5 ng/kg body weight/day) is among the highest reported. Since concentrations in foods were similar to those found elsewhere in Europe, this may be explained by high seafood consumption among Norwegians. Oily fish was the main dietary contributor both to Sum PBDEs and to the considerably lower HBCD intake (0.3 ng/kg body weight/day). Milk products appeared to contribute most to the BDE‐209 intake (1.4 ng/kg body weight/day). BDE‐209 and HBCD exposures are based on few food samples and need to be confirmed. Serum levels (mean Sum 7 PBDEs = 5.2 ng/g lipid) and congener patterns (BDE‐47 > BDE‐153 > BDE‐99) were comparable with other European reports. Correlations between individual congeners were higher for the calculated dietary exposure than for serum levels. Further, significant but weak correlations were found between dietary exposure and serum levels for Sum PBDEs, BDE‐47, and BDE‐28 in males. This indicates that other sources in addition to diet need to be addressed.