Abstract
Despite the restrictions on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs), these chemicals are still ubiquitous environmental pollutants. In this study, we measured the concentrations and profiles of 17 PBDE congeners and 3 HBCDD isomers in indoor dust samples collected from 23 provinces and cities across China. The summed concentrations of PBDEs (Σ17PBDEs) ranged from 4.19 to 817 ng/g, with an average of 171 ± 184 ng/g. BDE-209 was the most abundant congener. The concentrations of HBCDDs ranged from 6.65 to 1335 ng/g, with an average of 236 ± 324 ng/g. Unlike commercial HBCDD formulations, α-HBCDD was the predominant isomer in the indoor dust samples analyzed. Geographical distributions showed that the concentrations of PBDEs and HBCDDs varied significantly among different regions. Higher PBDE and HBCDD levels were observed in samples from eastern coastal and economically developed regions. Further, we estimated the daily intakes of PBDEs and HBCDDs through the routes of dust ingestion and dust dermal absorption for different age groups. Dust dermal absorption is an unneglectable exposure pathway to PBDEs and HBCDs for the Chinese population. Among the age groups, infants had the highest exposure via dust dermal absorption, and toddlers had the highest exposure via dust ingestion. Compared with the threshold values, the exposure doses of PBDEs and HBCDDs are unlikely to pose significant health concerns for both infants and adults in China. This is the first national survey of PBDEs and HBCDDs in indoor dust samples across China after the restriction.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. Gabrielle David from Liwen Bianji, Edanz Group China (www.liwenbianji.cn/ac) for editing the English text of this manuscript.
Funding
This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Plan [Grant No. 2018YFC1801602], the Program for Guangdong Introducing Innovative and Entrepreneurial Teams [Grant No. 2019ZT08L213], and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant No. 22076207, 42007374].
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Study conception, design, supervision, and funding support were performed by Jingchuan Xue and Wenbin Liu. Sample collection, analysis, and data curation were performed by Haifeng Li, Yuxian Liu, Yongyin Lan, Yanan Zhao, Anxiang Lu, Cheng Li, and Rongrong Lei. Methodology and writing of the first draft of the manuscript were performed by Haifeng Li, Yuxian Liu, Jingchuan Xue, and Wenbin Liu. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Highlights
1. Human exposure to PBDEs and HBCDs via indoor dust across China was investigated.
2. Dust dermal absorption is an unneglectable exposure pathway to PBDEs and HBCDs.
3. The socioeconomic factor is a key player in determining the PBDE and HBCD levels.
4. Young children (< 3 years) have higher exposure risks than other age groups.
5. Exposure risks to PBDEs and HBCDs via indoor dust in China are acceptable.
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Li, H., Liu, Y., Lan, Y. et al. A nationwide survey of 20 legacy brominated flame retardants in indoor dust from China: continuing occurrence, national distribution, and implication for human exposure. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29, 58828–58842 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19850-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19850-3