Flame retardant (FR) exposure has been linked to several environmental and human health effects. Because of this, the production and use of several FRs are regulated globally. We reviewed the available records of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in human breast milk from literature to evaluate the efficacy of regulation to reduce the exposure of FRs to humans. Two-hundred and seven studies were used for analyses to determine the spatial and temporal trends of FR exposure. North America consistently had the highest concentrations of PBDEs, while Asia and Oceania dominated HBCDD exposure. BDE-49 and -99 indicated decreasing temporal trends in most regions. BDE-153, with a longer half-life than the aforementioned isomers, typically exhibited a plateau in breast milk levels. No conclusive trend could be established for HBCDD, and insufficient information was available to determine a temporal trend for BDE-209. Breakpoint analyses indicated a significant decrease in BDE-47 and -99 in Europe around the time that regulation has been implemented, suggesting a positive effect of regulation on FR exposure. However, very few studies have been conducted globally (specifically in North America) after 2013, during the time when the most recent regulations have been implemented. This meta-analysis provides insight into global trends in human exposure to PBDEs and HBCDD, but the remaining uncertainty highlights the need for ongoing evaluation and monitoring, even after a compound group is regulated.

• Keywords
• biomonitoring, breast milk, effectiveness evaluation, flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane, polybrominated diphenyl ether, temporal trends,
• MeSH
• Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers * analysis   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Milk, Human * chemistry   MeSH
• Maternal Exposure MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring MeSH
• Flame Retardants * analysis   MeSH
• Government Regulation MeSH
• Environmental Exposure * analysis   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Meta-Analysis MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Geographicals
• Asia MeSH
• Europe MeSH
• North America MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers * MeSH
• hexabromocyclododecane MeSH Browser
• Flame Retardants * MeSH