Time trend of hexabromocyclododecane in the breast milk of Japanese women

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a type of brominated flame retardant. We investigated the time trend of the stereoisomer-specific concentrations of HBCD (α, β, and γ) in breast milk samples of Japanese women by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). The pooled milk lipid samples collected in 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1999, and from 2000 to 2006 were analysed. The concentration was below the detection limit in the samples collected between 1973 and 1983 and increased in those collected since 1988. Between 1988 and 2006, α-HBCD was detected in all 11 breast milk samples collected from 25 to 29-year-old Japanese women; γ-HBCD, in 7; and β-HBCD, in none of the samples. Time trend of ∑HBCD appeared to be related to that of the industrial HBCD consumption level in Japan.