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Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) flame retardant chemicals, used in the manufacture of furniture, infant products, and electronics, are ubiquitous in U.S. households (Sjodin et al. 2008). An unintended consequence of [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used as flame retardants and are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. PBDEs have been linked to adverse neurodevelopment in animals and humans. OBJECTIVES: We [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. OBJECNVES: We used handwipes to estimate exposure to PBDEs in house dust among toddlers and examined sex, age, breast-feeding, [...]

BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic environmental pollutants generated during incomplete combustion. After exposure and during metabolism, PAHs can form reactive epoxides that can covalently bind to DNA. These [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), which are used as flame retardants, have been found to be higher in residents of California than of other parts of the United States. OBJECTIVES: [...]

BACKGROUND: Cooking with biomass fuels on open fires results in exposure to health-damaging pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter. OBJECTIVE: We compared CO [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used as flame retardants in consumer products and are ubiquitous in residential indoor air and dust. However, little is known about exposure [...]

BACKGROUND: Human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants has increased exponentially over the last three decades. Animal and human studies suggest that PBDEs may disrupt thyroid function. Although [...]

BACKGROUND: Low doses of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) associate cross-sectionally with type 2 diabetes, whereas associations with high POP exposures are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether several POPs prospectively [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame retardant compounds that are persistent and bioaccumulative and therefore have become ubiquitous environment contaminants. Animal studies suggest that prenatal PBDE exposure [...]

BACKGROUND: Exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants is widespread, with 97% of Americans having detectable levels. Although PBDEs have been associated with reproductive and hormonal effects in animals, [...]

BACKGROUND: Reported polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations in human samples in the United States have been higher than in Europe and Asia. Little is known about factors that contribute to [...]

BACKGROUND: Conventional wisdom regarding exposures to persistent organic chemicals via breastfeeding assumes that concentrations decline over the course of lactation and that the mother's body burden reflects her cumulative lifetime [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants in many producrs and have been detected in human samples worldwide. Limited data show that concentrations are elevated in young [...]

BACKGROUND: Developing infants may be especially sensitive to hormone disruption from chemicals including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). OBJECTIVE: We investigated relationships between cord serum levels of [...]

BACKGROUND: Prenatal polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposures may influence children's neurodevelopment. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association of prenatal PBDE and PCB exposures with children's reading skills at ages 5 and 8 years, Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ), and externalizing behavior problems at age 8 years. METHODS: From 239 mother-child pairs recruited (2003-2006) in Cincinnati, Ohio, we measured maternal serum PBDE and PCB concentrations, assessed child's reading skills using the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement III (WJ-III) at age 5 years and the Wide Range Achievement Test-4 (WRAT-4) at age 8 years, tested FSIQ using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV), and externalizing behavior problems using the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2 (BASC-2) at age 8 years. We used multiple linear regression to examine the association of prenatal PBDE and PCB concentrations and reading, FSIQ, and externalizing behavior problems after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: An increase of [Sum.sub.4]PBDEs (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, and BDE-153) by 10 times was not significantly associated with reading scores at age 5 years at the p = 0.05 level but was inversely associated with Reading Composite scores ([beta]: -6.2, 95% CI: -11.7, -0.6) and FSIQ ([beta]: -5.3, 95% CI: -10.6, -0.02) at age 8 years; it was positively associated with the score for externalizing behavior problems ([beta]: 3.5, 95% CI: -0.1, 7.2) at age 8 years. Prenatal [Sum.sub.4]PCBs (PCB-118, -153, -138-158, and -180) was not significantly associated with a child's reading skills, FSIQ, and externalizing behavior problems. CONCLUSION: Prenatal PBDE concentration was inversely associated with reading skills and FSIQ and positively associated with externalizing behavior problems at age 8 years. No significant associations were found in prenatal PCB concentration., Introduction PBDEs were widely used as flame retardants in the manufacture of electronics, fUrniture, carpets, and textiles and are detectable in indoor dust, fish, birds, human serum, and adipose tissue. [...]

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported blood levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the U.S. population. Information about neonatal levels and about the relationship to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposures is limited. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to characterize levels and determinants of fetal exposure to PBDEs and PCBs among newborns from Baltimore, Maryland. METHODS: We analyzed umbilical cord blood for eight PBDEs and 35 PCBs from infants delivered at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Maternal and infant characteristics were abstracted from medical records. RESULTS: Ninety-four percent of cord serum samples had quantifiable levels of at least one PBDE congener, and > 99% had at least one detectable PCB congener. PBDE concentrations in cord blood were similar to those reported in other studies from North America. Strong correlations were observed within but not across PCB and PBDE classes. Multivariate models showed that many factors independently predicted exposure to BDE-47, BDE-100, and BDE-153 and CB-118, CB-138/158, CB-153, and CB-180. Generally, infants of Asian mothers had lower PBDE and PCB levels, and infants of smokers had higher levels. Increased maternal body mass index was associated with lower levels of PCBs but not PBDEs. Levels of PCBs but not PBDEs were lower in births from married and multiparous mothers. Increased maternal age was associated with higher PCB levels but lower PBDE levels. CONCLUSIONS: Although many of the factors we investigated were independent predictors of both PBDE and PCB levels, in some cases the direction of associations was different. More research is needed to better understand the sources and pathways of PBDE exposure. KEY WORDS: dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, environmental exposure, epidemiology, fetal exposure, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, prenatal, urban. Environ Health Perspect 115:1794-1800 (2007). doi:10.1289/ehp.10333 available via http://dx.doi.org/Online 27 September 2007], Use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame retardants (FRs) in plastics, including electronic enclosures and polyurethane used in upholstery cushioning and carpet pads, has increased steadily in the past [...]

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have raised concerns about polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardant exposures to pregnant women and women of child-bearing age in the United States. Few studies have measured [...]

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors has been associated with increased risk of childhood obesity. However, epidemiologic studies on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are limited despite animal studies indicating PBDEs' potential role as an obesogen. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether maternal concentrations of BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and ΣPBDEs during pregnancy were associated with anthropometric measures in children aged 1-8 years. METHODS: We examined 318 mother--child pairs in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a birth cohort enrolled from 2003 through 2006 (Cincinnati, OH). Serum PBDEs were measured at 16 ± 3 weeks gestation. We measured child height (1-8 years), weight (1-8 years), body mass index (BMI) (2-8 years), waist circumference (4-8 years), and body fat (8 years). To account for repeated measures, we used linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations to estimate associations between maternal PBDEs and child anthropometric measures. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant associations between prenatal PBDEs and height or weight z-score. A 10-fold increase in maternal serum BDE-153 was associated with lower BMI 2-score (β = -0.36; 95% CI: -0.60, -0.13) at 2-8 years, smaller waist circumference (β = -1.81 cm; 95% CI: -3.13, -0.50) at 4-8 years, and lower percent body fat (β = -2.37%; 95% CI: -4.21, -0.53) at 8 years. A decrease in waist circumference at 4-8 years was observed with a 10-fold increase in BDE-100 (β = -1.50 cm; 95% CI: -2.93, -0.08) and ΣPBDEs (β = -1.57 cm; 95% CI: -3.11, -0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Reverse causality may have resulted in prenatal PBDEs, particularly BDE-153, and decreased BMI, waist circumference, and body fat. Environ Health Perspect 124:1891-1897; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP139, Introduction Childhood obesity is associated with adverse health effects, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, fatty liver disease, and hypertension (Daniels 2009). Between 1980 and 2013, the global prevalence of childhood obesity increased [...]

The aim of the present study was to model apparent serum half-lives of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) with 7-10 bromine substituents. Workers with occupational exposure to PBDEs have elevated serum [...]

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used in the United States and worldwide as flame retardants. Recent PBDE production figures show that worldwide use has increased. To determine whether [...]

We have characterized environmental exposures among 187 women who were pregnant, were at or near the World Trade Center (WTC) on or soon after 11 September 2001, and are enrolled [...]

Six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), one hexabromobiphenyl [polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)], and one hexachlorobiphenyl [polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)] were measured in 40 human serum pools collected in the southeastern United States during [...]

A higher concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as flame retardants, was found in the blood of Swedish workers at an electronics-dismantling plant (37 pmol/g lw) compared to clerks who work at computer screens (7.3 pmol/g lw) and hospital cleaners (5.4 pmol/g lw). Five PBDE congeners were quantified in the workers' blood serum.

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that may influence growth and development. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between exposure to PBDEs via breast milk and anthropometric measurements in early childhood. METHODS: The Pregnancy Infection and Nutrition (PIN) Babies studies followed a cohort of North Carolina pregnant women and their children through 36 months of age. Breast milk samples obtained at 3 months postpartum were analyzed for PBDEs. We collected height and weight records from well-baby doctor visits and also measured children during study visits (n = 246 children with > 1,400 anthropometric measurements). We assessed the relationship between breast milk concentrations of five PBDE congeners--BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, and 153--and child's weightfor-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height z-scores (WAZ, HAZ, and WHZ, respectively), adjusting for age; maternal age, race, prepregnancy BMI; parity; smoking during pregnancy; and breastfeeding, and stratifying by sex. RESULTS: Overall, PBDE exposures via breast milk were not associated with early-life anthropometric measures in the PIN Babies cohort. When stratified by sex, PBDEs in milk were inversely associated with WHZ for boys; however, associations did not follow a consistent pattern across the concentration gradient and were imprecisely estimated. Among girls, PBDEs tended to be associated with increased WHZ except for BDE-153, which was inversely associated with WHZ, though all estimates were imprecisely estimated. CONCLUSIONS: We observed little evidence of associations between early-life PBDE exposures via breast milk and anthropometric measurements overall; however, our results prompt the need for sex-specific investigations in larger cohorts. CITATION: Hoffman K, Mendez M, Siega-Riz AM, Herring AH, Sjodin A, Daniels JL. 2016. Lactational exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and its relation to early childhood anthropometric measurements. Environ Health Perspect 124:1656-1661; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP201, Background Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been added to a variety of household products, including electronics, carpets, and the polyurethane foam in furniture, to delay combustion and meet fire safety [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame-retardant chemicals that are added to many consumer products. Multiple animal studies have shown PBDEs to be thyroid hormone (TH) disruptors. Epidemiologic evidence of PBDE exposure associated with TH disruption has been inconclusive. OBJECTIVES: We used repeated measures to estimate associations between serum PBDE concentrations and THs in a North American adult cohort. METHODS: From 2010 to 2011, we collected ≤ 3 serum samples at approximately 6-month intervals from 52 healthy adult office workers from Boston, Massachusetts, for analysis of PBDE congeners and THs. RESULTS: The geometric mean sum concentrations of the most prevalent PBDE congeners (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, and BDE-153) were 22 ng/g lipid in winter 2010, 23 ng/g lipid in summer 2010, and 19 ng/g lipid in winter 2011. BDE-47 was the predominant congener. Based on a multivariable mixed regression model, we estimated that on average, a 1-ng/g serum increase in BDE-47 was associated with a 2.6-µg/dL decrease in total thyroxine ([T.sub.4]) (95% CI: -4.7, -0.35). Total [T.sub.4] was inversely associated with each PBDE congener. Serum concentrations of PBDEs were not strongly associated with total triiodothyronine ([T.sub.3]), free [T.sub.4], or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with those from animal studies showing that exposure to PBDEs is associated with a decrease in serum [T.sub.4]. Because the other TH concentrations did not appear to be associated with BDE exposures, our findings do not indicate effects on the pituitary-thyroid axis. Taken together, our findings suggest that PBDE exposure might decrease the binding of [T.sub.4] to serum [T.sub.4] binding proteins. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509755, Introduction Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used since the 1970s as additive flame retardants. The technical formulation pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE), composed of PBDE congeners containing three to six bromines, [...]

BACKGROUND: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) reduce blood concentrations of thyroid hormones in laboratory animals, but it is unclear whether PBDEs disrupt thyroid hormones in pregnant women or newborn infants. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationship between maternal PBDE levels and thyroid hormone concentrations in maternal and cord sera. Methods: we used data from the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort of 389 pregnant women in Cincinnati, Ohio, who were enrolled from 2003 through 2006 and delivered singleton infants. Maternal serum PBDE concentrations were measured at enrollment (16 ± 3 weeks of gestation). Thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in maternal serum at enrollment (n = 187) and in cord serum samples (n = 256). RESULTS: Median maternal serum concentrations of BDEs 28 and 47 were 1.0 and 19.1 ng/g lipid, respectively. A 10-fold increase in BDEs 28 and 47 concentrations was associated with a 0.85-µg/dL [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05, 1.64] and 0.82-µg/dL (95% CI: 0.12, 1.51) increase in maternal total thyroxine concentrations ([TT.sub.4]), respectively. Both congeners were also positively associated with maternal free thyroxine ([FT.sub.4]). We also observed positive associations between BDE-47 and maternal total and free triiodothyronine ([TT.sub.4] and [FT.sub.3]). A 10-fold increase in BDE-28 was associated with elevated [FT.sub.3] concentrations (β = 0.14 µg/mL; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.26). In contrast, maternal PBDE levels were not associated with thyroid hormone concentrations in cord serum. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that maternal PBDE exposure, particularly BDEs 28 and 47, are associated with maternal concentrations of [T.sub.4] and [T.sub.3] during pregnancy. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408996, Introduction Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), synthetic flame retardants, have been used in the manufacture of consumer products, including furniture foam, carpet padding, and electronics. Because they are semivolatile and are [...]

BACKGROUND: Exposure to hormonally active chemicals could plausibly affect pubertal timing, so we are investigating this in the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Program. OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to examine persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in relation to pubertal onset. METHODS: Ethnically diverse cohorts of 6- to 8-year-old girls (n = 645) provided serum for measure of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and lipids. Tanner stages [breast (B) and pubic hair (PH)], and body mass index (BMI) were measured at up to seven annual clinic visits. Using accelerated failure time models, we calculated time ratios (TRs) for age at Tanner stages 2 or higher (2+) and POPs quartiles (Q1--4), adjusting for confounders (race/ethnicity, site, caregiver education, and income). We also calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) of Tanner stages 2+ at time of blood sampling. RESULTS: Cross-sectionally, the prevalence of B2+ and PH2+ was inversely related to chemical serum concentrations; but after adjustment for confounders, only the associations with B2+, not PH2+, were statistically significant. Longitudinally, the age at pubertal transition was consistently older with greater chemical concentrations; for example: adjusted TR for B2+ and Q4 for IPBDE = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08, for IPCB = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.08, and for IOCP = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.14, indicating median ages of about 6 and 11 months older than least exposed, and with similar effect estimates for PH2+. Adjusting for BMI attenuated associations for PCBs and OCPs but not for PBDEs. CONCLUSIONS: This first longitudinal study of puberty in girls with serum POPs measurements (to our knowledge) reveals a delay in onset with higher concentrations. http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408778, Introduction The trend toward earlier age at pubertal development has raised the concern that exogenous exposures may be contributing factors (Herman-Giddens et al. 1997; Euling et al. 2008a, 2008b). This [...]

BACKGROUND: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may be involved in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders, but identifying relevant chemicals within mixtures of EDCs is difficult. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to identify gestational EDC exposures associated with autistic behaviors. METHODS: We measured the concentrations of 8 phthalate metabolites, bisphenol A, 25 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6 organochlorine pesticides, 8 brominated flame retardants, and 4 perfluoroalkyl substances in blood or urine samples from 175 pregnant women in the HOME (Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment) Study (Cincinnati, OH). When children were 4 and 5 years old, mothers completed the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), a measure of autistic behaviors. We examined confounder-adjusted associations between 52 EDCs and SRS scores using a twostage hierarchical analysis to account for repeated measures and confounding by correlated EDCs. RESULTS: Most of the EDCs were associated with negligible absolute differences in SRS scores (≤ 1.5). Each 2-SD increase in serum concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ether-28 (PBDE-28) (β = 2.5; 95% CI: -0.6, 5.6) or trans-nonachlor (β = 4.1; 95% CI: 0.8-7.3) was associated with more autistic behaviors. In contrast, fewer autistic behaviors were observed among children born to women with detectable versus nondetectable concentrations of PCB-178 (β = -3.0; 95% CI: -6.3, 0.2), β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β = -3.3; 95% CI: -6.1, -0.5), or PBDE-85 (β = -3.2; 95% CI: -5.9, -0.5). Increasing perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) concentrations were also associated with fewer autistic behaviors (β = -2.0; 95% CI: -4.4, 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Some EDCs were associated with autistic behaviors in this cohort, but our modest sample size precludes us from dismissing chemicals with null associations. PFOA, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, PCB-178, PBDE-28, PBDE-85, and trans-nonachlor deserve additional scrutiny as factors that may be associated with childhood autistic behaviors. Environ Health Perspect 122: 513-520; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307261, Introduction Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) affect approximately 1% of U.S. children and are characterized by impaired interpersonal behavior or communication and repetitive or stereotypic behaviors that begin before 3 years [...]

Environ Health Perspect 125(4):746-752 (2017), https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP478 In the original article, Figure 2a incorrectly showed a mean of -0.34 for Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) score in the fourth quartile of Sum [...]

We examined the influence of widely varied consumption of fatty fish from the Baltic Sea and of age on plasma concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorobiphenylols (OHPCBs), 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1,1,-trichloroethane (4,4'-DDT), 2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethane [...]

BACKGROUND: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are neurodevelopmental toxicants, but few studies have examined associations with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether prenatal exposure to PCBs and OCPs influences offspring risk of ASD and intellectual disability without autism (ID). METHODS: We conducted a population-based case -- control study among Southern California births, including children with ASD (n = 545) meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV-TR) criteria and ID (n = 181), as well as general population (GP) controls (n = 418). Concentrations of 11 PCB congeners and 2 OCPs measured in banked second-trimester serum samples were compared between the diagnostic groups. Logistic regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for associations with ASD, and separately for ID, compared with GP controls, by quartiles of analyte concentrations in primary analyses. RESULTS: Geometric mean levels of several PCB congeners were higher in the ASD group than in the ID and GP groups. ASD risk was elevated for a number of PCB congeners, particularly for the highest vs. lowest quartile of PCB138/158 (AOR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.71) and PCB153 (AOR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.10, 3.02), and for highest deciles of other congeners in secondary analyses. PCB138/158 was also associated with increased ID (AOR = 2.41; 95% CI: 1.18, 4.91), though no trend was suggested. OCPs were not associated with increased risk of ASD in primary analyses, whereas nonmonotonic increases in risk of ID were found with p,p '-DDE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest higher levels of some organochlorine compounds during pregnancy are associated with ASD and ID. CITATION: Lyall K, Croen LA, Sjodin A, Yoshida CK, Zerbo O, Kharrazi M, Windham GC. 2017. Polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide concentrations in maternal mid-pregnancy serum samples: association with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. Environ Health Perspect 125:474-480; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP277 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Tech Trash: Digital Devices, Hidden Toxins, and Human Health By Elizabeth Grossman Washington, DC:Island Press, 2006. 334 pp. ISBN: 1-55963-554-1, $25.95 In High Tech Trash, Elizabeth Grossman traces the [...]

I appreciate Cleet's response to our paper concerning time trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and related compounds in the U.S. population (Sjodin et al. 2004), and I appreciate the [...]