Serum samples collected in 1988 from U.S. blood donors were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated and polybrominated biphenyls (PCBs and PBBs). The levels of the PBDEs are reported for the first time in serum from the U.S. population. The median concentrations and range of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47); 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE153); 2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-183); and decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) were 1.3 (<0.8-49); 0.54 (0.13-3.1); 0.24 (0.12-1.8); and <1 (<1-35) Pmol/g lipid weight (l.w.), respectively. In addition we also measured detectable levels of nine additional PBDE congeners in many of the serum samples. The median concentrations and ranges of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachloro- and hexabromobiphenyl (CB-153 and BB-153) were 190 (21-2600) and 19 (4.2-84) pmol/g l.w. The levels of PBDEs and CB-153 found in the U.S. samples were similar to background levels reported in the serum of Swedish hospital cleaners collected 10 years later, i.e., 1997. The BB-153 congener measured in the U.S. samples was not found in the Swedish samples. The difference in exposure to this congener could not be assessed in this study, although might be related to the 1973 BB-153 (FireMaster BP-6) animal and human contamination incident in the State of Michigan.
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