Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Umbilical Cord Blood and Relevant Factors in Neonates from Guiyu, China

We aimed to evaluate the exposure of neonates to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from a primitive e-waste (obsolete electrical and electronic devices) recycling area, in Guiyu, China, and a control area, Chaonan, China, through umbilical cord blood (UCB), the health effects, and relevant factors. Questionnaires were addressed, and UCB was collected shortly after birth from 153 pregnant women between May and July 2007. Blood samples were prepared by liquid−liquid extracting methods. PBDE concentration was determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in the electron capture negative ionization mode. The total PBDE concentration was higher in UCB samples from Guiyu than in Chaonan samples (median 13.84, range 1.14−504.97 ng g−1 lipid, vs 5.23, range 0.29−363.70 ng g−1 lipid) (p < 0.05). BDE-209 was the dominant PBDE congener, followed by BDE-47, -153, and -99. Residence in Guiyu, which is a site for e-waste recycling, involvment in e-waste recycling, and the residence also being used as a family...