Flame retardants appeared in sweat, but not urine
Five PBDE flame retardants were detected in sweat samples. The study did not measure whether repeated sauna lowered the amount stored in the body.
Worth knowing: This is the BUS sample also used for BPA, phthalates and PCB/PFAS papers; do not count it as an independent replication.
The short version
This BUS analysis looked for five PBDE flame retardants in blood, urine and sweat. None was detected in urine. Across 17 usable sweat samples, 84 of 85 compound tests were positive. That is a striking detection finding, but it is not 85 people or a measured reduction in body stores. The study did not follow a sauna treatment course or assess whether removing these chemicals improved health.
Keep in mind
The 85 sweat tests are five chemicals measured in 17 people, not 85 independent participants.
What they found
PBDEs appeared in 84 of 85 sweat compound tests and none of the urine samples. Some were detectable in sweat despite a negative blood result.
What this means for your practice
The finding is a reason to test repeated sweating properly, not proof of a detox benefit.
Methods and limitations
What the researchers did
Twenty adults supplied samples. Three lacked enough sweat for this analysis.
How much can this tell us?
Blood results were reported per gram of blood lipid; sweat was tested as collected. Those concentrations are not a direct measure of relative total clearance.
What makes it useful
- Measures five specific chemicals
What limits it
- No treatment follow-up
- Small shared sample
- Different fluid measurement bases
Where this study fits
Where this study fits
We score claims, not single studies. This one is part of the evidence for:
Sweat can carry some plastic-related chemicals and flame retardants. Early signal
Very low certaintySize not reportedBody signals
From the same participant group as 3 other articles in The Study, so we count them as one group of people.
Read the original
Genuis SK et al. Human Excretion of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether Flame Retardants: Blood, Urine, and Sweat Study. BioMed Research International. 2017.
DOI 10.1155/2017/3676089 · PubMed 28373979