This study was designed to examine how pollutant exposure affects gut microbiota and intestinal mucosal immunity. Gut microorganisms and their metabolites were compared between 33 children from Guiyu, an e-waste dismantling and recycling area, and 34 children from Haojiang, a reference environment without e-waste recycling. The exposure level was assessed by estimating the daily intake (EDI) of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ), and metal(loid)s in kindergarten dust. Significant correlations were found between the EDIs of 6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, Cu, and the composition of gut microbiota and specific metabolites. The Bayesian kernel machine regression model showed negative correlations between the EDIs of five pollutants (6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, and Cu) and the composition of gut microbiota. The EDIs of these five pollutants were positively correlated with the levels of the metabolite 2,4-diaminobutyric acid, while negatively correlated with the levels of d-erythro-sphingosine and d-threitol. Our study suggests that exposure to 6PPDQ, BDE28, PCB52, Ni, and Cu in kindergarten dust is associated with alterations in the composition and metabolites of the gut microbiota. These alterations may be associated with children’s health. Pollutants have been implicated in intestinal barrier dysfunction, through mechanisms such as cellular damage, epigenetic alterations, inflammation, microbiota changes, and metabolic disruptions.  
 

Pollutants, Gut microbiota, Mucosal immune function