Human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers through the diet

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a class of brominated flame retardants, are used in a variety of consumer products being produced in notable quantities. PBDEs have been detected in environmental samples. In recent years, a marked increase in the levels of PBDEs in human biological tissues and fluids, especially breast milk, has been observed in some countries. As for other persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dietary intake is very probably the main route of exposure to PBDEs for the general population. This paper reviews the state of the science regarding human exposure to PBDEs through the diet. Because of the scarce information about it, it is concluded that studies focused on determining PBDE exposure for the population of a number of countries are clearly required. The correlation of PBDE body burdens and dietary intake of PBDEs are also necessary. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.