Hair as a Biomarker of Systemic Exposure to Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

The efficacy of using hair as a biomarker for exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants was assessed in humans and an animal model. Paired human hair and serum samples were obtained from adult men and women (n = 50). In parallel, hair, serum, liver, and fat were collected from adult male Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to increasing doses of the PBDE mixture found in house dust for 70 days via the diet. All samples were...