Exposure to PBDEs in the office environment: evaluating the relationships between dust, handwipes, and serum.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used as flame retardants in consumer products and are ubiquitous in residential indoor air and dust. However, little is known about exposure in the office environment.

Objectives

We examined relationships between PBDE concentrations in the office environment and internal exposure using concurrent measurements of PBDEs in serum, handwipes, and office dust.

Methods

We collected serum, dust, and handwipe samples from 31 participants who spent at least 20 hr/week in an office. We used a questionnaire to collect information about work and personal habits.

Results

We found positive associations between PBDEs in room dust, handwipes (a measure of personal exposure), and serum. PBDE office dust concentr

SUBMITTER: Watkins DJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3230398 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature