The biological fate of decabromodiphenyl ethane following oral, dermal or intravenous administration

Abstract

It was important to investigate the disposition of decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) based on concerns over its structural similarities to decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE), high potential for environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, and high production volume.In the present study, female Sprague Dawley rats were administered a single dose of [C-14]-DBDPE by oral, topical or IV routes. Another set of rats were administered 10 daily oral doses of [C-14]-DBDPE. Male B6C3F1/Tac mice were administered a single oral dose.DBDPE was poorly absorbed following oral dosing, with 95% of administered [C-14]-radioactivity recovered in the feces unchanged, 1% recovered in the urine and less than 3% in the tissues at 72h. DBDPE excretion was similar in male mice and female rats. Accumulation of [C-14]-DBDPE was observed in liver and the adrenal gland after 10 daily oral doses to rats.Rat and human skin were used to assess potential dermal uptake of DBDPE. The dermis was a depot for dermally applied DBDPE; conservative estimates predict approximate to 148% of DBDPE may be absorbed into human skin in vivo; approximate to 7 +/- 4% of the parent chemical is expected to reach systemic circulation following continuous exposure (24h).Following intravenous administration, approximate to 70% of the dose remained in tissues after 72h, with the highest concentrations found in lung (1223 +/- 723pmol-eq/g), spleen (1096 +/- 369pmol-eq/g) and liver (366 +/- 98pmol-eq/g); 5 +/- 1% of the dose was recovered in urine and 26 +/- 4% in the feces.