Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk from Beijing, China

The levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk from Beijing, China, were Studied. The 6 predominant PBDEs congeners (BDE47, BDE99, BDE100, BDE153, BDE154 and BDE183) in 23 pooled breast milk samples from 205 mothers living in Beijing were measured. Mean and median of Sigma PBDEs concentrations mail samples were 1.12 ng g(-1) lipidand 1.07 ng g(-1) lipid, respectively. The Statistical difference in Sigma PBDEs concentrations was found between urban areas (1.22 ng g(-1) lipid, n = 14) and rural areas (0.97 ng g(-1) lipid n=9),The sum of BDE47 and BDE153 accounted for more than 70% of Sigma PBDEs in most samples.The significant correlation was found between the Sigma PBDEs in pooled samples and average of consumption of food of animal origin in the pools in urban area. However, there was no correlation Was found between the Sigma PBDEs in pooled samples and average of consumption of food of animal origin in the pools in rural area of Beijing. The Current study showed that the level of PBDEs in breast milk from Beijing was lower than that from South China and some developed countries such as USA and Sweden. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.