Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polybrominated diphenyl ethers inside university campus: Indoor dust-bound pollution characteristics and health risks to university student

Abstract

This study examined indoor dust-bound pollution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and the health risk to these pollutants of university students inside a university campus in Xinxiang, central China. Indoor dust samples (n = 52) were obtained from the student dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, and offices. The average concentration of ∑16PAHs was 2060 ± 1290 ng/g dry weight (dw). Phe and 4-ring PAHs showed the highest concentration and contribution. The PAH concentrations in indoor dust from various types of room showed significant difference (p ˂ 0.05), and the highest concentration was found in laboratory. The ∑16PBDEs concentration was 364 ± 379 ng/g, and BDE209 was the prime PBDE congener and showed the highest contribution. PBDE concentrations also showed significant difference (p ˂ 0.05) among different types of indoor dust, and the girls’ dormitory showed the highest PBDEs concentration. Petroleum, petroleum combustion, and biomass/coal combustion were the main sources of PAHs. Deca-BDE (BDE209) was the main source of PBDEs, and low-brominated PBDEs were mainly derived from the degradation of high-brominated PBDEs. Correlation analysis showed that PAH and PBDE had similar pollution sources. The estimated daily intake (EDIs, mg/(kg·day)) of the ∑16PAHs was 694 ± 434. The BaP equivalent (BaPE) value for PAHs in indoor dust was 113 ng/g, and laboratory showed the highest BaPE values. The EDIs of the ∑16PBDEs were 123 ± 128 mg/(kg·day), and the non-cancer hazard index (HI) indicated PBDEs may pose adverse health effects to university students.