Serum measures of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in reproductive-aged women in the United Kingdom.

We investigated the serum concentrations of two brominated flame retardants (BFRs) - polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) -in 59 women aged between 23 and 42 from the United Kingdom. We also collected demographic data, including age, bodyweight and height in order to test for associations with BFR levels. Temporal and global differences were also assessed using previously published data. HBCDD was detected in 68% of samples with a mean concentration of 2.2 ng/g lipid (range = <0.3-13 ng/g lipid). The dominant stereoisomer was α-HBCDD with an average contribution of 82% (0-100%) towards ΣHBCDD, was followed by γ-HBCDD (average contribution = 17%). PBDEs were detected in 95% of samples with a mean ∑PBDE (sum of BDEs -28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154 and -183) concentration of 2.4 ng/g lipid (range = <0.4-15 ng/g lipid). BDEs -153 and -47 were the dominant congeners, contributing an average of 40% and 37% respectively, to the average ΣPBDE congener profile. Data from this study suggests that HBCDD levels decrease with age, it also suggests a positive association between bodyweight and HBCDD levels, which likewise requires a large-scale study to confirm this. The data also show that 10 years after their European ban, PBDE body burden has begun to decrease in the UK. Whilst it is too early to draw any firm conclusions for HBCDDs, they appear to be following a similar pattern to PBDEs, with levels decreasing by a factor of >2.5 since 2010. Whilst the human body burden appear to be decreasing, both PBDEs and HBCDD are still consistently detected in human serum, despite legislative action limiting their production and use. This highlights the need to continuously assess human exposure and the effectiveness of policy aimed at reducing exposure.

A case-control study of polychlorinated biphenyl association with metabolic and hormonal outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of environmental pollutants with a long half-life that sequester in fat. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) may represent a sensitive subgroup to endogenous exposure to PCBs because of associated weight gain. Seven PCB congeners were compared in age, ethnicity, and BMI matched women with (n = 29) and without (n = 30) PCOS and related to metabolic outcomes, and steroid and thyroid hormone levels. PCB118, PCB138, PCB153, and PCB180 were detected in all serum samples but geometric mean did not differ between cases and controls. PCBs correlated with increasing concentrations of each other (p < .01), increasing age (p < .01) and decreasing lneGFR (p < .05). lnPCB118 correlated with increasing Free-T4 (p = .028). lnPCB158, lnPCB180, and ln∑PCB correlated with increasing lnSHBG (p = .044). In regression modeling, although not significant, PCB118 positively associated with lnSHBG in controls (p = .0504) but not in cases; estradiol inversely associated with PCB138 in controls (p = .055) and ∑PCB in cases (p = .051). No significant associations were observed between metabolic endpoints, and steroid and thyroid hormone levels. The results presented do not suggest the PCOS cases in this cohort are at adverse risk compared to age, ethnicity, and BMI matched controls.