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Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and perfluorinated organic compounds (PFCs) were analysed in whole herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus), eggs from common eider (Somateria mollissima) and eggs and livers from herring gull (Larus argentatus) from the Swedish west coast. The contaminant values obtained were compared with published values from the Arctic marine ecosystem. Tetra- and penta-brominated PBDEs were detected at low levels in herring, sprat and common eider (ΣPBDE 0.3-2.0 ng g(-1) ww), while the levels were higher in the herring gull samples (ΣPBDE 1.3-29.9 ng g(-1) ww). Hexa-decaBDEs were also found in samples from herring gulls. Eggs from herring gulls from the sub-Arctic contained four times more PBDE than the Swedish herring gulls eggs. Fish samples from the Arctic had two times higher levels of PBDEs and DDTs than similar samples from Sweden. The higher levels of contaminants in fish and seabirds from the Arctic reflect differences in transport processes, feeding ecology (reflected by trophic levels) and metabolism. PBDEs contributed to <10% of the total contaminant load in all investigated samples. The relative contribution of DDTs was higher in fish and bird samples from the Arctic when compared to Swedish samples, e.g. 65% in glaucous gull livers compared to 10% in herring gull livers. This study shows that even though the Swedish west coast is more urban than the Arctic, higher pollutants levels are found in seabird species from the Arctic., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) are present in the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea. OH-PBDEs are known to be both natural products from marine environments and metabolites of the anthropogenic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), whereas, MeO-PBDEs appear to be solely natural in origin. Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PBDDs) are by-products formed in connection with the combustion of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), but are also indicated as natural products in a red alga (Ceramium tenuicorne) and blue mussels living in the Baltic Sea. The aims of the present investigation were to quantify the OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs present in C. tenuicorne; to verify the identities of PBDDs detected previously in this species of red alga and to investigate whether cyanobacteria living in this same region of the Baltic Sea contain OH-PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and/or PBDDs. The red alga was confirmed to contain tribromodibenzo-p-dioxins (triBDDs), by accurate mass determination and additional PBDD congeners were also detected in this sample. This is the first time that PBDDs have been identified in a red alga. The SigmaOH-PBDEs and SigmaMeO-PBDEs concentrations, present in C. tenuicorne were 150 and 4.6 ng g(-1) dry weight, respectively. In the cyanobacteria 6 OH-PBDEs, 6 MeO-PBDEs and 4 PBDDs were detected by mass spectrometry (electron capture negative ionization (ECNI)). The PBDDs and OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs detected in the red alga and cyanobacteria are most likely of natural origin.

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been used extensively and are considered ubiquitous contaminants. To evaluate exposure to brominated flame retardants within an electronic recycling facility personal air monitoring was done during a two year period. A total of 22 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 2 other bromine containing organic compounds have been analysed and evaluated in 17 personal air samples. The most abundant congeners of PBDE was #209 (<0.7-61 ng m(-3)), #183 (<0.1-32 ng m(-3)) indicating the use of the commercial octaBDE mixture, followed by PBDE #99 and #47 (<1.3-25 and <0.9-16 ng m(-3), respectively). The second most abundant peak in the chromatogram from all samples was identified as 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenyxy)ethane (BTBPE) in the concentration range <0.6-39 ng m(-3) (semi-quantitatively calculated against PBDE #191). A second bromine containing compound was also detected, structurally similar to decabromodiphenyl ethane (DeBDethane), however no definite identification could be made. The air samples were also evaluated on a work exposure category basis. The workers represented three different categories: dismantlers, other workers and unexposed. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05 with the Mann-Whitney test) among the dismantlers and the unexposed categories for PBDE congeners #47, #100, #99, #154; #153, #183, #209 and BTBPE. Another observation was that the air concentrations of PBDEs and BTBPE in the breathing zone were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) to the amount of recycled material (in kg). The present work shows that the exposure to brominated flame retardants varied within the electronic facility and that further research is needed to evaluate how the exposure differs with different products being dismantled as well as how the bioavailability of the different BFRs to humans is related to particle exposure.

Temporal trends of five tetra- to hexabromodiphenyl ethers [BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, BDE153 and BDE154) and two methoxy-tetraBDEs [6-methoxy-2,2',4,4'- tetraBDE (6-MeO-BDE47) and 2'-methoxy-2,3',4,5'- tetraBDE (2'-MeO-BDE68)] in pike from Lake Bolmen for the years 1967-2000, are presented. All BDE congeners show increasing trends up to the mid-1980s (Sigma5PBDE from 60 to 1600 pg/g wet weight in 1989, i.e. a more than 25-fold increase), and then decrease or level off. The decreasing trends of PBDEs after the 1980s were considerably slower in the present study than was found in a study of an environmental matrix from the Baltic Proper covering the same time period. This difference suggests local sources near Lake Bolmen. The MeO-BDEs show initially decreasing concentrations, which for 6-MeO-BDE47 continues until the early 1990s. The concentrations of 6-MeO-BDE47 in herring from five locations along the Swedish coast increased from south to north in the Baltic Sea. No correlation between the concentrations of the BDE congeners and the MeO-BDEs was observed, indicating sources other than PBDEs for these compounds. The presence of MeO-BDEs in fish from lakes with different characteristics suggests a natural production not favoured by eutrophication, or dependent on sampling season and geographical location.

The breast milk concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs; sum of five congeners: BDE-47, -99, -100, -153, and -154) were determined (by GC-ECD) in samples from 93 primiparous women collected from 1996 to 1999 in Uppsala County, Sweden. Dietary and lifestyle factors were also recorded. The mean PBDE concentration was 4.0 ng/g fat and the distribution of samples was skewed with few high values (maximum 28.2 ng/g fat). BDE-47 was the major congener and constituted 59% of the mean concentration of PBDEs. No significant relationship was found between breast milk concentrations of PBDEs and dietary intake of PBDE, age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, or computer usage. After adjustments for these factors, a weak but significant association between PBDE concentrations and smoking was observed. The dietary intake of PBDE for these women was estimated at 27 ng/day, of which fish contributed almost half. After inclusion of 31 additional samples, collected from 2000 to 2001, time trends were studied. The changes in breast milk PBDE levels between 1996 and 2001, similar to the results from another Swedish study on milk from Stockholm mothers, suggest a peak in PBDE concentrations around 1998 and thereafter decreasing levels. However, far-reaching conclusions about PBDE time trends in milk cannot be drawn from this short study.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as flame retardants in consumer goods, such as plastics, electronics, textiles, and construction material. PBDEs have been found in human milk, fat, and blood samples. Rodent studies indicate that PBDEs may be detrimental to neurodevelopment, possibly by lowering thyroid hormone concentrations in blood. In the present study, we determined concentrations of PBDEs and thyroid hormones in human fetal and maternal serum. Patients presenting in labor to Indiana University and Wishard Memorial County hospitals in Indianapolis, who were older than 18 years, were recruited to participate. Twelve paired samples of maternal and cord blood were obtained and analyzed using gas chromatographic mass spectrometry; thyroid hormone concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Six congeners of PBDE were measured in maternal and fetal serum samples. The concentrations of total PBDEs found in maternal sera ranged from 15 to 580 ng/g lipid, and the concentrations found in fetal samples ranged from 14 to 460 ng/g lipid. Individual fetal blood concentrations did not differ from the corresponding maternal concentrations, indicating that measurement of maternal PBDE blood levels is useful in predicting fetal exposure; similarly, other reports have shown a high correlation between PBDE in mother's milk and fetal exposure. In accord with reports on other biologic samples, the tetrabrominated PBDE congener BDE-47 accounted for 53-64% of total PBDEs in the serum. The concentrations of PBDEs found in maternal and fetal serum samples were 20-106-fold higher than the levels reported previously in a similar population of Swedish mothers and infants. In this small sample, there was no apparent correlation between serum PBDEs and thyroid hormone concentrations. Our study shows that human fetuses in the United States may be exposed to relatively high levels of PBDEs. Further investigation is required to determine if these levels are specific to central Indiana and to assess the toxic potential of these exposure levels.

Paired samples of human liver and adipose tissue were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) containing 3-6 bromine atoms. The samples were obtained at autopsy from one woman and four men at the age of 47 and 66-83 years, respectively. PBDEs were found in all samples. The sum of nine PBDE congeners ranged 5-18 ng/g lipids and 4-8 ng/g lipids in liver and adipose tissue, respectively. In three paired samples the concentrations were similar in liver and adipose tissue, while in two of the pairs the concentrations were higher in liver than in adipose tissue. The PBDE congeners 2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE (BDE-47), 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE (BDE-99), and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE (BDE-153) occurred at highest levels and constituted together 87-96% and 84-94% of the total sum of PBDEs in liver and adipose tissue, respectively. The levels of PBDEs were compared to those of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), 1,1-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethene (p,p'-DDE), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB).

A previously described method for analysis of organochlorine compounds in human milk was adopted for analysis of brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) substituted with three to six bromine atoms. Analytes were extracted from human milk with the lipophilic gel Lipidex 5000. Further purifications were performed on partly deactivated aluminum oxide and silica gel columns, followed by gel permeation chromatography. The concentrations of BDEs were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The average recoveries of 2,2',4-triBDE (BDE-17), 2,4,4'-triBDE (BDE-28), 2,2',4,4'-tetraBDE (BDE-47), 2,3',4,4'-tetraBDE (BDE-66), 2,2,3,4,4'-pentaBDE (BDE-85), 2,2',4,4',5-pentaBDE (BDE-99), 2,2',4,4',6-pentaBDE (BDE-100), 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexaBDE (BDE-153), and 2,2',4,4',5,6'-hexaBDE (BDE-154) added to the samples before extraction ranged from 86% to 102%. Pooled samples of breast milk, collected at eight time periods between 1972 and 1997, were analyzed for PBDEs. BDE-47 was the most abundant PBDE congener in all samples. In total, eight PBDE congeners were identified in the milk. The sum of the concentrations of BDE congeners in human milk increased from 0.07 to 4.02 ng/g lipids during the 25-yr period studied.

The occurrence of pesticide residues was studied in samples of feed-stuffs produced in Sweden or imported to Sweden during the years 1972--1976. In all, 278 samples representing 37 types of feed-stuffs (components, as well as finished feeds) and 18 countries were analyzed. Residues of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides and PCBs were looked for in 224 samples, mostly feed components. The analytical method used involved solvent extraction, florisil-column clean-up, thinlayer chromatographic separation and gas-chromatographic determination. Chlorinated hydrocarbons were found in several samples. DDT and its transformation products were detected in 66 samples (29.5%), lindane in 44 (19.5%), PCBs in 25 (11.2%), alpha-BHC in 22 (9.8%), beta-BHC in 11 (4.9%) and dieldrin in 9 (4.0%). The levels were usually low (Table I). The chloropesticides occurred most frequently and at the highest levels in feed-stuffs of animal origin and in imported oil-feeds. In 25 of the samples the contents of sigmaDDT exceeded the maximum limit accepted by the National (Swedish) Food Administration for grain and bran intended for human consumption (0.05 mg/kg, Talbe IV). The highest residue level of sigmaDDT (0.66 mg/kg) was encountered in a sample of fish meal. The PCB levels found did not exceed the temporary tolerance established by FDA (1973) for finished animal feeds (0.2 mg/kg). One hundred and seven samples were analyzed for phenoxy acid residues using a thin-layer chromatographic and gas-chromatographic technique. Phenoxy acids were detected in only 2 of 62 randomly selected feed samples (0.05 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively). The residue limit established by the National Food Administration for 2,4-D and MCPA in grain and bran intended for human consumption is 0.1 mg/kg. Fortyfour samples of feeds were submitted because of suspected phenoxy acid contamination. In 12 of the samples phenoxy acid residues were found. The highest level (3.5 mg/kg, MCPA) was observed in a sample of accidentally contaminated molasses. Considering the apparently low level of contamination of Swedish grain with chloropesticides, PCBs and phenoxy acids and the dilution on compounding feed-stuffs of animal origin and oil-feeds, only very low pesticide residue levels can be expected in Swedish finished animal feeds.