Distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other persistent organic pollutants in human serum from Greece

Human serum samples (n = 61) were collected in Attika, Greece between June and October 2007 and analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Thirty samples were collected from computer clerks of a large computer company in Athens working full-time with computers, and thirty-one from a control population in the Attika region with no computer use. Σ5PBDE concentrations (sum of tri- to hexa-BDEs) in all samples (n = 61) ranged from 0.68 to 13.3 ng g−1 lipid, with a median of 1.07 ng g−1 lipid. These concentrations are on the lower end of those reported from other countries, probably reflecting lower usage of PBDE-containing products or lower exposures to these chemicals. Individual and ∑5PBDE concentrations did not statistically differ between the two groups of computer clerks and non-computer users (p > 0.05), with the exception of BDE 153 (p = 0.033). The predominant congener was BDE 153, followed by BDEs 47, 100, 99, 183, 154 and 28. HBCD was also detected in 70% of the samples. BDE 209 was detected in 8 out 61 samples (13%), with concentrations ranging from 1.18 to 19.1 ng g−1 lipid, and a median of 2.94 ng g−1 lipid. No age dependency was found for PBDEs. Σ11PCB (sum of PCBs 74, 99, 118, 138, 146, 153, 156, 170, 180, 183 and 187,) in all samples (n = 61) ranged from 36 to 402 ng g−1 lipid, with a median of 110 ng g−1 lipid. pp′-DDE concentrations ranged from 53.8 to 1649 ng g−1 lipid, with a median of 268 ng g−1 lipid. This is the first study to report levels of PBDEs in a possibly occupationally exposed subset of the Greek population.

Research Highlights
► ΣPBDE concentrations ranged from 0.68 to 13.3 ng g lipid, with a median of 1.07 ng g lipid.
► PBDE concentrations did not statistically differ between the two groups, except for BDE 153.
► This is the first report of PBDEs in a possibly occupationally exposed subset of the Greek population.