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Daniel H. Rosen,¹ W. Dana Flanders,² Andrew Friede,¹ Harold E. B. Humphrey,³ and Thomas H. Sinks¹

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724 USA
² Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329 USA
³ Health Risk Assessment Division, Michigan Department of Public Health, Lansing, MI 48909 USA

Abstract

Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) , a flame-retardant material, was introduced into the food chain in Michigan in 1973 due to a manufacturing and distribution mistake. Following public concern about the long-term health effects of PBB in humans, a cohort of PBB-exposed Michigan residents was assembled in 1975. We initiated this study to determine the half-life of PBB in human sera and to understand how continued body burden relates to the possible adverse health consequences of PBB exposure. To determine the half-life, eligible persons were selected from the cohort if they had at least two PBB measurements 1 year apart and had an initial level 20 pbb. There were 163 persons who met the criteria with a median PBB level of 45.5 ppb. The estimated half-life is 10.8 years (95% CI, 9.2-14.7 years) . The body burden of PBB in exposed persons will decrease only gradually over time. For persons with an initial level of 45.5 ppb of PBB, it will take more than 60 years for their PBB levels to fall below the current level of detection of 1 ppb. Key words: half-life, human sera, Michigan, polybrominated biphenyl. Environ Health Perspect 103:272-274 (1995)

Address correspondence to D. H. Rosen, Information Resources Management Office, MS F-51, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341-3724 USA.

Received 22 September 1994 ; 13 December 1994.