Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ether that were significantly associated with cancer mortality were PBDE153 (HR= 4.2, P< 0.05), PBDE100 (HR= 3.81, P< 0.05), and PBDE47 (HR= 3.21, P< 0.05).
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are organic pollutants used as flame retardants in building materials, furnishings, electronics, and various consumer products1. Although mostly banned under the Stockholm convention, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) remain in the environment and has bioaccumulated in the food chain2. Studies from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) show that several congeners are typically detected among the US population3,4. Although several studies exist that connect polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to cancer and various other diseases, limited studies examine long term exposure and mortality risk. In the current study, researchers investigated the association between exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and risk of mortality5.
Data from the NHANES database was used for this assessment. Investigators used a representative cohort of adults aged 20 years and older that had serum polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) measurements between 2003 and 2004. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers measured in this trial were a sum of 10 PBDEs originally measured in the NHANES 2003- 2004. Of them, 5 PBDEs were assessed individually since they were more prevalent among the study participants. Researchers then observed mortality data through December 31, 2019 from the national death index. Researchers were particularly interested in deaths caused by cancer and cardiovascular disease. Demographic and dietary information was collected by NHANES along with anthropometric measurements, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Participants who had all this information along with serum polybrominated diphenyl ether measurements were included in this analysis. Participants were then categorized into three groups based on polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure with tertile 3 representing the highest level of exposure.
The number of participants that met the study criteria was 1100. From initial participation between 2003 and 2004 until December 31, 2019, there were 199 deaths: 52 deaths from cancer and 64 deaths from cardiovascular disease. Average age of participants was 42.9 years old with 51.8% being female and 48.2% male. 70.8% were white non-Hispanic, 10.5% non-Hispanic black, 12.9% Hispanic and 5.8% of other races/ ethnicities. Except for age, biological sex and healthy eating score, no significant differences were observed among the study population. Participants with higher levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether exposure (Tertile 3) were usually younger males with poor quality diet. Overall, individuals with high exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (Tertile 3) had significantly high risk of cancer mortality (P= 0.006). Researchers then analyzed participants who died from cancer to see if there were any significant differences between demographics and the risk of cancer death among those exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Researchers found no significant differences in the characteristics of participants who died of cancer after exposure to polybrominated diethyl ether. When analyzed individually, congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ether that were significantly associated with cancer mortality were PBDE153 (HR= 4.2, P< 0.05), PBDE100 (HR= 3.81, P< 0.05), and PBDE47 (HR= 3.21, P< 0.05). Furthermore, PBDE153 and PBDE 100 were significantly associated with all-cause mortality (HR= 1.78, P< 0.05 and HR= 1.60, P< 0.05, respectively). None of the congeners examined were significantly associated with cardiovascular disease mortality.
In this analysis using data from the NHANES study, investigators found that exposure to PBDE was positively associated with cancer mortality. Additional studies will be needed to verify these findings.
Source: Liu, Buyun, Hans-Joachim Lehmler, Ziyi Ye, Xing Yuan, Yuxiang Yan, Yuntian Ruan, Yi Wang, Yu Yang, Shuhan Chen, and Wei Bao. “Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality.” JAMA Network Open 7, no. 4 (2024): e243127-e243127.
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Posted April 24, 2024.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Linares, Victoria, Montserrat Bellés, and José L. Domingo. “Human exposure to PBDE and critical evaluation of health hazards.” Archives of toxicology3 (2015): 335-356.
- Sharkey, Martin, et al. “Phasing-out of legacy brominated flame retardants: The UNEP Stockholm Convention and other legislative action worldwide.” Environment International144 (2020): 106041.
- Sjödin, Andreas, et al. “Serum concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) in the United States population: 2003–2004.” Environmental science & technology4 (2008): 1377-1384.
- Sjödin, Andreas, et al. “Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and biphenyl in serum: time trend study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for years 2005/06 through 2013/14.” Environmental science & technology10 (2019): 6018-6024.
- Liu, Buyun, et al. “Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Risk of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality.” JAMA Network Open4 (2024): e243127-e243127.
