Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in breast milk and associated health risks to nursing infants in Northern Tanzania

• Published in: Environment international Vol. 89-90; pp. 38 - 47
• Main Authors: Müller, M.H.B., Polder, A., Brynildsrud, O.B., Lie, E., Løken, K.B., Manyilizu, W.B., Mdegela, R.H., Mokiti, F., Murtadha, M., Nonga, H.E., Skaare, J.U., Lyche, J.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2016
• Subjects: Breast Feeding; Brominated flame retardants; Estimated daily intake; Female; Flame Retardants - analysis; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis; Human breast milk; Humans; Infant; Infant growth; Maternal Exposure - adverse effects; Milk, Human - chemistry; Pemba; Risk; Tanzania; ISW, Tanzania; Pemba; Infant growth; Human breast milk; Brominated flame retardants; Estimated daily intake; Tanzania
• ISSN: 0160-4120; 1873-6750
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.032

The main aim of this study was to assess brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in breast milk in the Northern parts of Tanzania. Ninety-five colostrum samples from healthy, primiparous mothers at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital (MMRRH), Arusha Tanzania, were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), hexabromobenzene (HBB), (2,3-dibromopropyl) (2,4,6-tribromophenyl) ether (DPTE), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) and 2,3,4,5,6-pentabromotoluene (PBT). The Ʃ7PBDE (BDE 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183) ranged from below level of detection (<LOD) to 785ng/g lipid weight (lw). BDE 47, 99, 100 and 153 were the dominating congeners, suggesting recent and ongoing exposure to banned, commercial PentaBDE mixture. A multiple linear regression model revealed that mothers eating clay soil/Pemba during pregnancy had significantly higher levels of BDE 47, 99, 100 and 153 in their breast milk than mothers who did not eat clay soil/Pemba. Infant birth weight and birth length were significantly correlated with the levels of BDE 47, 99, 100 and 153. The estimated daily intake (ng/kg body weight/day) of BDE 47 and 99 exceeded the US EPA Reference doses (RfD) in four and eight mothers, respectively, suggesting a potential health risk to the nursing infants. •∑7PBDE detected in Tanzanian breast milk with levels up to 785ng/g lw.•BDE 47, 99, 100 and 153 were the dominating congeners.•Birth weight and birth length were positively associated with PBDE levels.•Eating Pemba during pregnancy resulted in increased levels of PBDEs.•Individual EDIs of BDE 47 and BDE 99 exceeded RfDs in 10% of the nursing infants.