Dietary exposure to brominated flame retardants and abnormal Pap test results.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study examined a possible association of dietary exposure to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), a brominated flame retardant, and self-reported abnormal Pap test results and cervical dysplasia as a precursor to cervical cancer.

METHODS:

Women in Michigan who ingested contaminated poultry, beef, and dairy products in the early 1970s were enrolled in a population-based cohort study in Michigan. Serum PBB and serum polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations were measured. Reproductive history and health information, including Pap test results, were self-reported by participants.

RESULTS:

Of the women, 23% (223 of 956) reported an abnormal Pap test. In unadjusted analyses, self-reporting an abnormal Pap test was associated with younger age, current smoking (hazard ratio [HR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-2.17), and longer duration of lifetime use of oral contraceptives (≥10 years; HR 1.92, 95% CI 1.21-3.06). When adjusting for PCB exposure, age at the interview, and smoking history, there was a slightly elevated risk of self-reporting an abnormal Pap test among the highly exposed women compared to women with nondetectable PBB concentrations (PBB≥13 μg/L, HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.74-2.06); however, the CI was imprecise. When breastfeeding duration after the initial PBB measurement was taken into account, there was a reduced risk of self-reporting an abnormal Pap test among the highly exposed women who breastfed for ≥12 months (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.06-3.03; referent group: women with nondetectable PBB concentrations who did not breastfeed).

CONCLUSIONS:

It remains important to evaluate the potential reproductive health consequences of this class of chemicals as well as other potential predictors of abnormal Pap tests.

• Authors: Denise J Jamieson, Metrecia L Terrell, Nnenna N Aguocha, Chanley M Small, Lorraine L Cameron, Michele Marcus
• Journal: Journal of women's health (2002) (J Womens Health (Larchmt)) Vol. 20 Issue 9 Pg. 1269-78 (Sep 2011) ISSN: 1931-843X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21797757 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral
• Flame Retardants
• Polybrominated Biphenyls

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• Animals
• Breast Feeding
• Cohort Studies
• Contraceptives, Oral
• Dairy Products (adverse effects)
• Diet
• Female
• Flame Retardants (toxicity)
• Food Contamination
• Humans
• Meat Products (adverse effects)
• Michigan (epidemiology)
• Middle Aged
• Polybrominated Biphenyls (blood, toxicity)
• Smoking (epidemiology)
• Uterine Cervical Dysplasia (chemically induced, epidemiology)
• Vaginal Smears
• Young Adult