Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in urban Jinan, eastern China: Characterization, source identification, and respiratory exposure assessment

Abstract

In order to assess the characteristics of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) in the atmosphere of urban Jinan, eastern China, gas phase and PM2.5 were hereby sampled in July 2020. The concentration and composition characteristics of 11 PBDEs were obtained. The Human exposure was evaluated by the daily exposure calculation method. During the observation period, the average concentration of ∑11PBDEs in PM2.5 and gas phase was 214.8±31.3 pg/m3, that of low-PBDEs was 119.1±2.1 pg/m3, and that of BDE209 was 95.8±15.4 pg/m3. Among the 10 low-PBDEs, the highest single content was BDE99, followed by BDE47, accounting for 43%. PCA showed the main sources of PBDEs in the atmosphere of urban Jinan were Penta-BDEs and Deca-BDEs. The daily respiratory exposure of children were higher than that of adults, and the potential risk should be taken seriously.