Menu

Understanding the Population Risks of PBDEs

Image for Understanding the Population Risks of PBDEs

A PHI study tested the hypotheses that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) accumulate differently in the human fetal liver and placenta than in maternal serum, and that fetal exposure to PBDEs affects fetal metabolic capacity. PBDEs are an important public health concern, as in vitro and in vivo studies show that in utero exposure can adversely impact fetal development. 

The study measured levels of PBDEs in human maternal and fetal biological specimens from women undergoing voluntary, second trimester pregnancy terminations. From the medical procedure, researchers collected 130 matched sets of maternal serum, placenta, and fetal liver. At the end of this study, researchers produced unique information about human fetal exposure to PBDEs during the second trimester, including empirical relationships between maternal and fetal exposures which can be used to estimate fetal exposures when only maternal levels are available. BDE-28, 47, 100, 99, and153 were predominately detected. The serum and the liver showed higher PBDE concentrations than the placenta, with BDE 47 being the major congener in all matrices.

Collectively, this information now helps to bridge the gap between experimental toxicology and human observation studies and will improve our understanding of population risks to PBDEs

Work With Us

You change the world. We do the rest. Explore fiscal sponsorship at PHI.

Bring Your Work to PHI

Support Us

Together, we can accelerate our response to public health’s most critical issues.

Donate

Find Employment

Begin your career at the Public Health Institute.

See Jobs

Kids in a school playground

Close

Donate to PHI Today to Build a Healthier World for Tomorrow

The last few years have been immensely challenging for communities around the globe—in some cases, setting back public health gains by years or decades. But these last few years have also demonstrated what works: Sustained investments in communities, health and equity, and policy change to support them. Now is the time to strengthen these successes, to ensure that no community falls behind.

Donate to PHI

Continue to PHI.org