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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Food Animal Metabolism Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #121031
Title: ANALYSIS OF MONO-TO DECA-BROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS IN CHICKENS AT THE PART PER BILLION LEVEL.

Author
item Huwe, Janice
item Lorentzsen, Margaret
item THURESSON, KAJ - STOCKHOLM UNIV SWEDEN
item BERGMAN, AKE - STOCKHOLM UNIV SWEDEN

Submitted to: Chemosphere
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2001
Publication Date: 1/1/2002
Citation: Huwe, J.K., Lorentzsen, M.K., Thuresson, K., Bergman, A. 2002. Analysis of mono-to deca-brominated diphenyl ethers in chickens at the part per billion level. Chemosphere 46:635-640.

Interpretive Summary: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants which have been found to be increasing in the environment and in marine life. These compounds show structural similarities to the polychlorinated biphenyls but are currently not associated with any known health risks. In order to determine if livestock may be exposed to this class of compounds, we have developed methods to analyze chicken fat samples for PBDEs. The method detected mono- to deca-substituted BDEs at the part per billion level. PBDEs were found in most chickens sampled; the levels varied from location to location. In most cases the levels were much lower than those found in fish and fish-eating mammals. However, at two locations in the Southern U.S., chickens had levels similar to levels reported in seals from the Arctic.

Technical Abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame retardants which have been found to be increasing in the environment. Structural similarities to the polychlorinated biphenyls have caused concerns that PBDEs may pose health risks to biota. A GC-MS method was developed to analyze mono- through deca-BDEs in chicken fat samples. The method utilized GC pressure programming and selected ion monitoring to quantitate PBDEs at the low part per billion level. Four 13C-labelled BDE surrogates were used to determine recoveries which averaged from 76-114%. Thirteen chickens from the Southern U.S. and a composite sample of chickens from North Dakota were analyzed by this methods. The total concentrations of PBDEs on a whole weight basis ranged from 1.7 ppb in North Dakota chickens to 39.4 ppb in a chicken from Arkansas. Chickens from North Dakota had levels similar to background blanks. Chickens from the Southern U.S. had higher levels than blanks. On a lipid weight basis, these levels were lower than those generally found in fish and fish- eating mammals. The PBDE pattern was also different from other samples reported; penta-BDEs rather than tetra-BDEs were the most prominent congeners.