Flame retardants travel hand to mouth on dust

Researchers have found that dust contaminated with chemical flame retardants called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) can stick to skin and may be a significant source of human exposure to these substances. The study entitled "Measurement of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers on Hand Wipes: Estimating Exposure from Hand-to-Mouth Contact" was published in the Environmental Science and Technology. The synopsis entitled "Flame retardants travel hand to mouth on dust" is available at the Environmental Health News.

This is cause for concern because PBDEs could be harmful to a number of body systems, including the endocrine system, especially thyroid hormone regulation, and neurodevelopment.

The estimates calculated in this study show that a dust-hand-mouth route contributes more PBDEs in humans than does eating contaminated food. This suggests that hand-to-mouth contact may be a significant and key way that people take up and accumulate PBDEs.

The results are of particular importance for babies and young children who are in contact with the floor and repeatedly place their hands and other dust-laden products in their mouths.

Simply washing or wiping hands during the day and before meals could reduce daily exposure.

Previous studies have used human biomonitoring to evaluate PBDE levels in human blood. These studies also found that concentrations are much higher in children compared with adults. Human biomonitoring can be an effective way to track exposure levels and judge the efficacy of health and/or chemical policies.

Written on 2 March 2009.



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