Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in household dust of breastfeeding mothers: Exposure levels and risk assessment

Abstract

In the present study, 55 household dust samples were collected from the homes of breastfeeding mothers from the Valencian Region (Spain) to analyze the presence of 25 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The extraction method was based on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) followed by acid digestion and solid phase extraction clean-up steps. The overall analytical method, using gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS), was optimized and validated through, both, in-house validation and the use of a certified reference material (CRM). Limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.38 to 2 µg kg⁻¹. PBDEs levels were determined in household dust, with concentrations ranging from 0.40 to 302.7 µg kg⁻¹ for mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, hepta- and octa-BDEs, and from 2.18 to 60664 µg kg⁻¹ for nona- and deca-BDEs, with BDE-209 being the most abundant and frequently detected congener. A risk assessment was conducted based on dust ingestion for mothers, toddlers and children. No potential health risk was identified, except for BDE-206 and BDE-207, which posed a concern for toddlers and infants. Finally, associations between PBDEs levels and various factors, such as ventilation, furniture, type of flooring, geographical location and the number of electronic devices, were found to influence PBDEs levels in household dust.