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Children's exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) through mouthing toys
Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have previously been detected in children toys, yet the risk of child exposure to these chemicals through the mouthing of toys or other items is still unknown. We aimed to expand on the current knowledge by investigating the impact of infants' mouthing activities on exposure to PBDEs present in toys. This was established by a leaching model for determining the amount PBDEs that can leach from toys into saliva in simulated conditions. The PBDE migration rate was at its highest for the 15min low-exposure scenario incubations (198pg/cm2 ×min) with the ERM EC-591 certified reference material (CRM) (0.17% w/w PBDEs). The leaching process was congener-dependent, since the percentage of lower brominated PBDE congeners that leached out was up to 4.5 times higher than for the heavier PBDEs. To study the scenario in which a child would mouth on a toy flame retarded with BDE 209 alone, a plastic item containing 7% BDE 209 (w/w) was also tested. The BDE 209 amounts leached out in only 15min were higher than the amounts leached from the CRM after the 16h incubation. For the Belgian population, the exposure scenario from mouthing on toys containing PBDEs in amounts similar to the REACH threshold was found to be lower than the exposure from mother's milk, but higher than the exposure through diet or even dust.
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights The leaching of PBDEs from toys into saliva was studied in simulated conditions. Migration rate was highest in a low exposure scenario (15min mouthing time daily). Percentage lower PBDEs leached out: up to 4.5 times higher than for the heavier ones. Typically low levels of PBDEs in toys result in low risk of adverse health effects. Risk increases with increasing PBDE levels in the item mouthed and mouthing time.
Children's exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) through mouthing toys
Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have previously been detected in children toys, yet the risk of child exposure to these chemicals through the mouthing of toys or other items is still unknown. We aimed to expand on the current knowledge by investigating the impact of infants' mouthing activities on exposure to PBDEs present in toys. This was established by a leaching model for determining the amount PBDEs that can leach from toys into saliva in simulated conditions. The PBDE migration rate was at its highest for the 15min low-exposure scenario incubations (198pg/cm2 ×min) with the ERM EC-591 certified reference material (CRM) (0.17% w/w PBDEs). The leaching process was congener-dependent, since the percentage of lower brominated PBDE congeners that leached out was up to 4.5 times higher than for the heavier PBDEs. To study the scenario in which a child would mouth on a toy flame retarded with BDE 209 alone, a plastic item containing 7% BDE 209 (w/w) was also tested. The BDE 209 amounts leached out in only 15min were higher than the amounts leached from the CRM after the 16h incubation. For the Belgian population, the exposure scenario from mouthing on toys containing PBDEs in amounts similar to the REACH threshold was found to be lower than the exposure from mother's milk, but higher than the exposure through diet or even dust.
Graphical abstract Display Omitted
Highlights The leaching of PBDEs from toys into saliva was studied in simulated conditions. Migration rate was highest in a low exposure scenario (15min mouthing time daily). Percentage lower PBDEs leached out: up to 4.5 times higher than for the heavier ones. Typically low levels of PBDEs in toys result in low risk of adverse health effects. Risk increases with increasing PBDE levels in the item mouthed and mouthing time.
Children's exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) through mouthing toys
Ionas, Alin C. (author) / Ulevicus, Jocelyn (author) / Gómez, Ana Ballesteros (author) / Brandsma, Sicco H. (author) / Leonards, Pim E.G. (author) / van de Bor, Margot (author) / Covaci, Adrian (author)
Environmental International ; 87 ; 101-107
2015-11-26
7 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Children's exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) through mouthing toys
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