Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in blood serum from New Zealand

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in samples of human blood serum taken from 23 donors in Wellington, New Zealand. Concentrations expressed as the sum of congeners 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183 (∑PBDE) were – at an average of 7.17 ng ∑PBDE g (lipid)−1 – within the range reported for human tissues in Europe, but lower than in Australia and North America. The most likely source of this contamination is considered to be the release of PBDEs from imported consumer goods. The congener pattern observed is in line with that reported for human tissues outside North America, but shows a lower contribution of PBDE 47 to ∑PBDE than observed in North Americans. No significant (p > 0.1) differences between concentrations in males and females were detected, and no relationship between donor age and ∑PBDE concentration was observed. One donor displayed concentrations that were significantly elevated (i.e. > average +2 standard deviations) above those in others in this study.