IDENTIFICATION OF THE FLAME RETARDANTS POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERSIN ADIPOSE-TISSUE FROM PATIENTS WITH NON-HODGKINS-LYMPHOMA IN SWEDEN

We have recently reported increased concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlordane compounds in adipose tissue from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) compared with surgical controls. As a fe asibility project we have now studied the occurrence of polybrominated diphenyls ethers (PBDE) in the same study population. Four samples of adipose tissue were selected at random from the case and control seri es. We were able to identify PBDEs in all samples. PBDEs are environme ntal contaminants and the levels are increasing in sediment and biolog ical samples. Our results indicate that human beings are also exposed, mainly through the food chain, resulting in ng/g concentrations of PB DEs in the adipose tissue. This has not been previously reported from Sweden. Any health consequences are so far not studied. The environmen tal situation for PBDEs is thus similar to that of PCBs a few decades ago.