 polybrominated diphenyl ethers ( pbdes ) are used as additives in polymers and textiles to prohibit the development of fires . because of the production and use of pbdes , their lipophilic characteristics , and persistence , these compounds have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants . 
 the aim of the present study was to determine potential exposures of pbdes to clerks working full - time at computer screens and personnel at an electronics - dismantling plant , with hospital cleaners as a control group . 
 five pbde congeners--2,2',4,4'-tetrabde ; 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabde ; 2,2',4,4',5 , 6'-hexabde ; 2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptabde ; and decabde -- were quantified in blood serum from all three categories of workers . 
 subjects working at the dismantling plant showed significantly higher levels of all pbde congeners in their serum as compared to the control group . 
 decabromodiphenyl ether is present in concentrations of 5 pmol / g lipid weight ( lw ) in the personnel dismantling electronics ; these concentrations are comparable to the concentrations of 2,2',4 , 4'-tetrabde . 
 the latter compound was the dominating pbde congener in the clerks and cleaners . 
 the major compound in personnel at the dismantling plant was 2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptabde . 
 concentrations of this pbde congener are almost twice as high as for 2,2',4 , 4'-tetrabde in these workers and seventy times the level of this heptabde in cleaners . 
 the total median pbde concentrations in the serum from workers at the electronics - dismantling plant , clerks , and cleaners were 37 , 7.3 , and 5.4 pmol / g lw , respectively . 
 the results show that decabromodiphenyl ether is bioavailable and that occupational exposure to pbdes occurs at the electronics - dismantling plant.imagesfigure 1figure 2 
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