Abstract
ABSTRACTHigh levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) in indoor and outdoor air have globally threatened human health and environment. There are still few studies which concern on the emerging persistent organic pollutants like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) bound on PM2.5. The aim of this study was to investigate PBDEs in PM2.5 in various outdoor (metropolis, industrial, and rural areas) and indoor (library, rail station, hospital, supermarket, department store, and office) environments. PM2.5-bound PBDEs was analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry after PM2.5 was collected. Mean levels of PM2.5-bound Σ14PBDEs were 79.0 and 116 pg m–3 in outdoor and indoor air, respectively. Compared to other outdoor locations, the industrial sites, Taixi (169 pg m–3) in particular, has the highest PM2.5-bound PBDEs levels which might be attributed to nearby industrial activities and indoor to outdoor migration behaviors. For indoor air, PM2.5-bound PBDEs mean concentrations (libraries, rail stations, department stores, offices, hospitals, and supermarkets) were found to be 357, 35.3, 50.2, 73.2, 59.2, and 124 pg m–3, respectively. The high indoor PM2.5-bound PBDEs levels found in libraries are heavily affected by the presence of indoor electronic equipment or other consumer products. Similarly, this is also true for supermarkets which merchandise electronic consumer products. Although the abundant congener of deca-BDE consisted of 74.7% and 48.03% of Σ14PBDEs in the indoor and outdoor air, respectively, nona-BDEs predominantly contributed 11.6% in the indoors while tri- and tert-BDES contributed 11.3% and 16% in the outdoors. Higher brominated PBDEs are more likely due to their emission from electronic surfaces while lower brominated PBDEs are products of photochemical degradation. Other factors affecting both the indoor and outdoor air PM2.5-bound PBDE homologue levels such as migration behaviors might also be considered.
Highlights
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of emerging persistent organic pollutants which ubiquitously exist in both the aerosol indoors and outdoors
Several studies revealed that indoor PM including coarse, fine, and submicron particulate possibly originated from outdoor sources (Chen et al, 2016; Raysoni et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2016)
The presence of PM2.5 and PM10 in the indoor environment might be mainly attributed to the indoor equipment, occupant activities, and outdoor air including building structure, ventilation system, air exchange rate, and ambient conditions (Tippayawong et al, 2009; Madureira et al, 2012; Hassanvand et al, 2014; Chen et al, 2016; Raysoni et al, 2016; Wang et al, 2016)
Summary
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of emerging persistent organic pollutants which ubiquitously exist in both the aerosol indoors and outdoors. They are a common ingredient in brominated flame retardants (BFRs) which are widely used on a variety of products such as electronic appliances, textiles, paints, etc. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate PM2.5 levels due to the possibility of its relatively small particles being deposited more deeply into the lungs causing respiratory ailments and diseases, and other negative health problems (Zhang et al, 2013; Guo et al, 2015a; Li et al, 2015b; Shi et al, 2015; Gao et al, 2016). People with known history of cardiopulmonary problems face a higher risk of mortality due to the increasing PM2.5 concentration in the atmosphere and so is the prevalence of respiratory problems in normal people (Dominici et al, 2006; de Oliveira et al, 2012; Xing et al, 2016)
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