Dechlorane Plus and its dechlorinated analogs from an e-waste recycling center in maternal serum and breast milk of women in Wenling, China

We measured Dechlorane Plus (DP) and its dechlorinated analogs in the blood and milk from women living in e-waste recycling sites in Wenling of Taizhou region, China (n = 49). Both syn-DP and anti-DP were detected in all samples. Another compound, Cl11-DP, was detected in 45% and 84% of milk and serum samples, respectively. DP levels in blood and milk from residents living in the local environment >20 yrs (R20 group) were significantly higher than those living in Taizhou <3 yrs (R3 group) (p < 0.05). The milk/serum partition coefficient from the same women was approximately 0.43 and 0.47 for syn-DP and anti-DP, respectively. A similar value in milk compared with anti-DP/∑DPs (fanti) in serum suggested that stereoselective DP bio-accumulation did not occur during the DP transport from blood to milk. This result indicate that DP can bio-accumulate in blood and milk with the low milk/serum partition coefficient and similar blood and milk stereoselective bio-accumulation profiles.

► Our study observed that DP and Cl11-DP can bioaccumulate in maternal blood and milk.
► A stable partitioning of DP between milk and serum was observed.
► Stereoselective DP accumulation did not occur during DP transport from blood to milk.
► Exposure from e-waste recycling was a dominant factor affecting the DP level.