Pregnant women in the north have new Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in their blood
22.06.05
New POPs, like brominated flame retardants and PFOS are detected in the blood of pregnant women in northern Norway and Russia. The study confirms that the new POPs are transported to the Arctic and accumulate in the human body, and not only in animals as shown earlier.
On assignment from the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, the Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Tromsø, have analyzed blood samples from 20 pregnant women in Bodø, Norway and Taimyr, Russia, for selected new Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The samples from Russia come from a group of indigenous people living at the Taimyr Peninsula far north in Siberia. There are no known, local sources of new pollutants in Taimyr. The inhabitants of Bodø are affected from products used in the daily life and from long range transported pollutants.
Flame retardants were found in all
Brominated flame retardants of the type polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) were discovered in all women participating in the study. The levels were low, but the results indicate that the substances are found in humans living far away from the sources. The levels of PBDE were higher in the Norwegian blood samples compared to the Russian. This indicates that Bodø might be more exposed to brominated flame retardants than Taimyr in Siberia. PFAS/PFOS
The most common PFAS compound, the perfluoroktylsulfonat (PFOS), was found in the blood of both Norwegian and Russian women, totally 70 % of the samples. The levels were higher in the Norwegian blood samples, but due to analytical uncertainty it is difficult to conclude. However, the blood levels of PFOS are generally higher than more known pollutants, like the PCBs. Lack of regulation
“Classic” POPs, like the PCBs and DDT, were also found in most of the samples. The levels were generally low, with the exception of DDT and HCH which were found at elevated levels in the Russian samples, confirming recent studies in the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). These substances are regulated through international agreements. The new substances found in this study are not yet regulated. The vulnerable Arctic
Pollution knows no geographical borders. Substances being transported over long distances and across borders with air- and ocean currents must therefore be regulated through international control regimes. Air- and ocean currents on the Northern hemisphere all go in the Arctic direction. Several physical and biological conditions in the Arctic result in the accumulation of POPs in the food chain making POPs to a special large problem in the Arctic. Indigenous people are particularly vulnerable because their traditional food is contaminated. The Arctic is therefore an important indicator region for assessing substances that need international control. | | Brominated flame retardants - A group of organic chemicals with flame retardant properties
- Degrade slowly in the environment, and can accumulate in the food chain and are found in living organisms and in human breast milk;
- Some of the chemicals are hazardous to health- and the environment. The chemicals are not acute toxic to humans, but some are acute toxic to aquatic organisms. Long term exposure can result in liver injury, give hormone effects and damage the nervous system;
- Electric and electronic products are the largest product group containing these substances. Other product groups are insulation material, plastic and textiles;
- Two types of flame retardants, Penta-BDE and Octa-BDE were banned in the European Union summer 2004. In addition, Norway is considering banning Deca-BDE.
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PFOS- Degrade slowly in the environment, and can accumulate in the food chain, and are found in living organisms;
- Toxic at chronic exposure, and has shown harmful effects on the reproductive system of mammals. Studies have also indicated that the substance is carcinogenic;
- Often used in fire extinguishing foam;
- Has been used in surface treatment of textiles and paper, due to its dirt- and water repellent properties. Important product types are e.g. floor wax, paint and lacquer, degreasing agents and detergents, proofing compounds for textiles and leather;
- Is not banned, but are listed as a potential candidate for international control. EU is assessing restrictions on the use of PFOS. Norway is considering restrictions or a ban during 2005.
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Important contributions To obtain agreement on regulation of hazardous substances at global or regional level, it is necessary to document that the substances are persistent, that they accumulate in animals and humans, and that they are transported by air and ocean currents. The results of this study confirm this.
Follow-up studies
This study of pregnant women in Norway and Russia is the first study done on new contaminants in humans living in the north. Even if the women involved in the study are few, and the sample sizes are small, the results give clear indications of levels of some new POPs in human blood. The study will be followed up by examining new population groups at risk in the Russian Arctic already this summer.
Health effects
The reason for testing pregnant women is that the embryonic and fetal periods are the most vulnerable for contaminant influence in human life. Most contaminants have an almost free passage across the placenta due to their physiological properties (most are lipid soluble). Maternal blood gives a good indication of the intrauterine levels. The shown levels in this study does not involve any acute danger for the individuals tested, but gives reasons to worry for health effects in the longer term. |
Questions can be directed to:
- SFT: Senior advisor Gunnar Futsæter, Section for Environmental Data
Telephone (+47) 22 57 34 49, e-mail: gunnar.futsater@klif.no - SFT: Advisor Jon L. Fuglestad, Section for Environmental Data
Telephone (+47) 22 57 37 26, e-mail: jon.fuglestad@klif.no - University of Tromsø: Associate professor Jon Øyvind Odland
Telephone (+47) 90 95 38 87, e-mail: jon.oyvind.odland@ism.uit.no
