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

M H B Müller; A Polder; O B Brynildsrud; E Lie; K B Løken; W B Manyilizu; R H Mdegela; F Mokiti; M Murtadha; H E Nonga; J U Skaare; J L Lyche

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.032

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

Environ Int. 2016 Apr-May:89-90:38-47. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.032. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Authors

M H B Müller¹, A Polder², O B Brynildsrud², E Lie³, K B Løken³, W B Manyilizu⁴, R H Mdegela⁴, F Mokiti⁵, M Murtadha⁵, H E Nonga⁴, J U Skaare⁶, J L Lyche²

Affiliations

¹ Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Campus Adamstuen, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, N-0033, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: mette.helen.bjorge.muller@nmbu.no.
² Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Campus Adamstuen, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, N-0033, Oslo, Norway.
³ Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Campus Adamstuen, P.O. Box 8146 Dep, N-0033, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadallèen 21, N-0349, Oslo, Norway.
⁴ Sokoine University of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Public Health, P.O. Box 3021, Morogoro, Tanzania.
⁵ Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital, P.O. Box 3092, Arusha, Tanzania.
⁶ Norwegian Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 750, Sentrum, N-0106, Oslo, Norway.

PMID: 26826361
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.032

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Brominated flame retardants; Estimated daily intake; Human breast milk; Infant growth; Pemba; Tanzania.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding*
Female
Flame Retardants / analysis*
Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / analysis*
Humans
Infant
Maternal Exposure / adverse effects
Milk, Human / chemistry*
Risk
Tanzania

Substances

Flame Retardants
Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers