• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.339-350
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• 2024

Background: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as flame retardants. Wastes burned in solid waste incinerators may contain flame retardants such as PBDEs. Therefore, it is important to study the PBDE exposure of residents in areas around solid waste incinerators. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the serum PBDE concentration of residents living in an area around a solid waste incinerator and evaluate the factors that could affect PBDE exposure. Methods: The study areas included an exposure area around a solid waste incinerator and a control area (8.6 km away from the exposure area). Participants were 196 women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, with 98 from each area. The survey investigated participants' age, period of residence, drinking and smoking habits, menopause status, and parity. The medical examination included body mass index (BMI), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (Free T4). Twenty-two PBDE congeners were analyzed using gas chromatography (Agilent 7890B, Agilent, USA) and mass spectrometry (Xevo TQ-XS, Waters, USA). Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the significant differences in serum PBDE concentrations by the characteristics of the participants. Multiple regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors affecting PBDE exposure and the effect of serum PBDE concentration on TSH levels in serum (SAS 9.4). Results: There was a statistically significant difference in serum PBDE concentration by area, age, smoking habits, and menopause status. In the multiple regression analysis result, only the residential area was associated with the serum PBDE concentration. The serum TSH concentration was not associated with serum PBDE concentrations. Conclusions: The serum PBDE concentration of residents in the area around the solid waste incinerator was significantly higher than that of those in the control area. Based on this result it was assessed that the serum PBDE concentration of residents around the solid waste incinerator were affected by the incinerator.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.440-449
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in breast milk and to evaluate the relations with factors affecting these levels. Methods: The congener levels of PBDE in 22 samples of breast milk were analyzed using a high resolution gas chromatograph with a high resolution mass detector. In accordance with our standard operating procedures, the recoveries of internal standards had to range between 68% and 118%. Since the distribution of PBDE concentrations is close to log-normal, the data were logarithmically transformed before analysis. Test subjects were healthy primipara and multipara mothers with a mean age of 32 (SD = 2.7) in 2006. Results: Seven PBDE congeners (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) were detected and identified in all of the pooled breast milk samples, indicating widespread contamination from PBDEs in the environment in Korea. Residue levels of total PBDEs (sum PBDEs from tri- to hepta-BDE) ranged from 0.84-13.1 ng/g lipid with median and geometric mean levels of 2.6 ng/g lipid and 2.74 ng/g lipid, respectively. PBDE congeners 47, 99 and 153 markedly predominated and accounted for about 75% of the amount of the PBDE congeners analyzed. BDE-47 was the dominant congener in most samples, whereas BDE-153 was predominant in a few (n = 7/22). BDE-47 was highly correlated with total PBDEs (r = 0.987, p < 0.01). In analyses of the differences of the means of log transformed breast milk PBDE levels for groups of potential covariates, only breast milk BDE-47 and BDE-99 levels were significantly associated with fish (p < 0.05) and meat consumption (p < 0.01). However, we did not find significant correlations between PBDE levels and maternal age, body mass index (BMI), parity, job presence and smoking status. Conclusions: Our findings are mainly limited due to the small sampling size and low doses of PBDEs exposure. Background and human exposure data of PBDEs is lacking, and longitudinal investigations into the environment and biota are encouraged to determine the health impact on future populations in Korea.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.356-364
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• 2010

본 연구는 비교적 청정한 지역인 춘천시에 거주하는 일반인 모유 중 PBDEs의 노출 경로를 확인하기 위해 처음으로 시도된 연구이다. 본 연구지역의 모유 중 ${\sum}PBDEs$의 수준은 북아메리카지역에 비하여 낮은 수준이었으나 일부 아시아, 유럽국가와 유사하였다. 모유 내 PBDEs의 축적은 산모의 특성과 상관관계가 나타나지 않았으나, 상엽용 PBDEs 제품을 포함하여 여러 복합적 인자에 의하여 노출되고 있었으며, 식품 섭취와 같은 식이노출은 한국인에 있어 중요한 노출 경로의 하나로 판단되었다. 따라서 본 연구 결과는 한국인의 PBDEs 노출 경로 파악에 중요한 정보를 제공하여, 장차 PBDEs 및 관련 브롬계 난연제의 노출에 따른 인체 위해성 평가를 수행함에 있어 중요한 참고자료가 될 것이다. 또한, 한국 내의 PBDEs에 대한 인체노출 경로를 명확하게 하기 위한 연구는 계속적으로 이루어져야 할 것이다.

• Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.247-262
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• 2011

This study assessed the health risks of childhood exposure to PBDEs via different possible pathways in children's facilities and indoor playgrounds. When PBDE contamination was measured, it was determined through multiple routes, including inhalation of indoor dust, dermal contact with product surfaces and children's hands, and incidental dust ingestion. Samples were collected from various children's facilities (playrooms, daycare centers, kindergartens, and indoor playgrounds) during summer (Jul-Sep, 2007) and winter (Jan-Feb, 2008). The hazard index (HI) was estimated for non-carcinogens, and PBDEs, such as TeBDE, PeBDE, HxBDE, and DeBDE, were examined. The sensitivity to the compounds did not exceed 1.0 (HI) for any of the subjects in any facility. However, current data about toxicity does not reflect effects that were fully sensitive in children, so there is uncertainty in the dose-response data. The contribution rates of PBDEs were 71.4 to 96.1% and 3.7 to 28.2% for intake and inhalation exposure, respectively, indicating that intake of floor dust and inhalation are the primary routes.

• 한국지역사회생활과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.629-636
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• 2014

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame-retardant additives have been used in a wide array of products, including building materials, electronics, furnishings, motor vehicles, airplanes, plastics, polyurethane foams, and textiles. They are structurally similar to PCBs and other polyhalogenated compounds. PBDEs are found in a variety of foods, and 95% of all human exposure to POPs comes from food. The major food sources are fish/seafood and dairy products. A number of studies have reported high levels of PBDEs in animals, increasing the public's concern over PBDE levels in animals. This study evaluates the relationship between the level of PBDEs according to piglet diseases. Salmonella spp. and Streptococcus are bacterial diseases. Porcine respiratory reproductive syndrome (PRRS) is a viral disease. The concentration of PBDEs in the piglet liver from viral diseases was higher than that from bacterial diseases. BDE-47 and BDE-99 were detected in most samples. More PBDEs were detected in the piglet liver from PRRS of North American type than from that of European type.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.354-363
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• 2018

We examined the levels of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) including polybrominateddiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and phthalates in indoor dusts in residential houses in Korea, and their distribution patterns depending on building characteristics. Mean concentrations of phthalate esters ($1,825{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) were significantly higher than that of BFRs (PBDE: $1,332ng\;g^{-1}$, HBCDs: $459ng\;g^{-1}$, and TBBPA: $213ng\;g^{-1}$), indicating more frequent use of phthalate-containing products such as PVC flooring in the Korean houses. PVC flooring house was associated with higher concentrations of DEHP (p = 0.001) and BBP (p = 0.012), indicating that exposure to phthalate was higher in the PVC flooring house. Building age was significantly related with levels of PBDEs especially BDE-47 (p = 0.062), BDE-203 (p = 0.007), DEHP (p = 0.004), and BBP (p = 0.070), respectively, indicating that older buildings can produce higher amounts of PBDEs and phthalates. Our study can provide important information on the sources of BFRs and phthalates in residential houses in Korea.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.297-304
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• 2011

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of "brominated" (bromine containing) man-made chemicals used as flame retardant additives in plastics, foams, and textiles. PBDEs are found in various environmental contaminants in air, soil, sediment, and water, and 209 individual forms (congeners) of PBDE exist. Among these, 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) is the dominant congener found in the environment. Exposure to BDE-47 is now worldwide, and levels of BDE-47 have been detected in the blood of animals, including humans. BDE-47 can adversely affect the developmental system in both humans and animals. BDEs have structural similarities to polychlorinated biphenyls and thyroid hormones. However, recent studies have shown that BDEs may act as hormonal disrupting chemicals with detrimental effects. Therefore, a reliable assessment of BDE-47 toxicological action is required to understand the detrimental impacts of BDE-47 on human health. In this review, we overview recent studies on the distribution and potential toxicological effects of BDE-47 in humans and animals.

• 대한환경공학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.109-118
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• 2012

본 연구는 한국인 산모의 모유 중 PBDEs의 노출수준 및 위해성평가를 위해 서울지역에서 총 22개의 모유시료를 대상으로 분석되었다. PBDEs는 모든 대상 모유시료에서 검출되어, 이러한 화학물질이 서울지역에 거주하는 일반인에게 광범위하게 노출되었음을 시사한다. ${\Sigma}PBDEs$의 잔류수준은 0.84~13.1 ng/g lipid의 범위로 산술평균 농도는 3.56 ng/g lipid, 중앙값은 2.6 ng/g lipid이었다. 모유 중 ${\Sigma}PBDEs$ 농도 수준은 중국, 대만, 유럽국가(스위덴)와 유사하고 몇몇 아시아(베트남, 필리핀, 인도네시아)보다는 다소 높았다. 그러나 세계에서 PBDEs 소비가 가장 많은 북아메리카의 농도 수준보다는 10~100배 낮은 농도였다. 이성질체 기여율은 BDE-47이 가장 높았으며, 다음으로 BDE-153, BDE-100, BDE-99, BDE-28, BDE-183 그리고 BDE-154 순이었다. BDE-47과 BDE-153의 합은 대부분의 시료에서 ${\Sigma}PBDEs$의 약 65% 이상을 차지하였다. 영아의 모유 수유에 따른 ${\Sigma}PBDEs$ 위해성 평가 결과 영아의 모유 수유를 통한 6개월간 평균일일노출량은 16.5 ng/kg bw/day로 산출되었으며, BDE-47의 인체노출에 따른 위해도 지수(95th percentile)는 $1.2{\times}10^{-1}$로 예측되어 6개월간 모유 수유로 인한 영아의 건강유해영향은 나타나지 않을 것으로 평가되었다.

• 환경생물
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.385-391
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• 2018

해산규조류 (Skeletonema. Costatum)의 개체군 성장률을 이용하여 PBDEs (BDE-47, BDE-209)의 독성평가를 실시하였다. BDE-47은 $0.31mgL^{-1}$ 이상의 농도부터 유의미하게 감소하여 농도의존성을 나타냈으나, BDE-209의 경우 시험 최고농도 $125mgL^{-1}$에서도 변화를 나타내지 않았다. 본 시험결과 $EC_{50}$값은 BDE-47과 BDE-209에서 각각 $0.55mgL^{-1}$와 >$125mgL^{-1}$이었고, NOEC값은 $0.16mgL^{-1}$와 >$125mgL^{-1}$이었으며, LOEC값은 $0.31mgL^{-1}$와 >$125mgL^{-1}$으로 나타나 BDE-47이 BDE-209에 유해성이 더 큰 것으로 나타났다. 또한, 연안환경에서의 BDE-47의 농도가 LOEC 값인 $0.31mgL^{-1}$를 초과할 경우 S. costatum과 같은 식물성플랑크톤에 악영향을 미칠 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구 결과는 PBDEs의 해양환경 기준 설정 및 타 독성물질과의 상대적 독성치를 비교하기 위한 귀중한 자료로 활용될 것으로 판단된다.