Predictors of Serum PBDE Levels Among Older California Women

摘要

Background: One of the most striking features of the human PBDE exposure profile is the enormous variation between individuals, although little is known about specific predictors of body burden. Aims: As part of a study to identify disparities in body burden of PBDEs among participants in an on-going breast cancer study, we conducted a preliminary analysis of predictors of PBDE serum levels. Methods: Subjects included 289 disease-free female participants of the California Teachers Study (mean age=67; range 40-94 yrs.) who provided a 10-ml blood sample in 2011-2012 and completed a survey on potential sources of PBDE exposures. Serum samples were assayed for 19 PBDE congeners via Gas Chromatography/High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. To identify predictors of serum PBDE levels, age- and race-adjusted linear regression analyses were run for the three most common congeners (BDE-47, BDE-100, and BDE-153). Data were reported as ng/g lipid of serum and log-transformed prior to statistical analysis. Results: An inverse linear relationship with age was seen for all congeners but was only significant for BDE-153 (p=0.01). Compared to non-Hispanic white women (n=215), women of color (n=74) had significantly higher age-adjusted serum levels of BDE-100 (p＜0.001) and BDE-47 (p=0.01) but not BDE-153 (p=0.55). Serum levels were also higher for all three congeners among women living in lower SES neighborhoods (BDE-47, p=0.04; BDE-100, p=0.03; BDE-153, p=0.02). Reported household factors did not predict BDE-47 or BDE-100, but higher levels of BDE-153 were found among women who reported their homes to have more sofas and stuffed chairs (p=0.03); more carpeting (p=0.07); and to be newly built (2000 or later (p=0.05)). Conclusions: There was modest evidence for higher levels of BDE-153 with some household factors, but the more striking evidence for a substantial disparity in body burden for women of color and those living in lower SES neighborhoods deserves further attention.