There is increasing concern for public health over inadvertent human exposure to MPs due to potential adverse health effects linked to MPs polymeric composition,toxic chemical additives,and/or harmful microorganisms a...There is increasing concern for public health over inadvertent human exposure to MPs due to potential adverse health effects linked to MPs polymeric composition,toxic chemical additives,and/or harmful microorganisms adsorbing onto their surfaces.While numerous studies have reported MPs occurrence and risk in the freshwater aquatic environment and drinking water sources(e.g.,rivers,lakes,and reservoirs),the current state-of-knowledge on MPs pollution in drinking water(i.e.,tap water and bottled water)remains limited at a global level.This paper provides the first comprehensive study of the occurrence,concentrations,size distribution,shape,and polymer type of MPs in 177 tap water samples from 13 cities in the United Kingdom,as well as 85 samples of bottled water from 17 popular brands,with various packaging materials,on the UK market.MPs were detected in all tap water samples(range 6e100 MP/L)and bottled water samples(range 12 e62 MP/L).Average MPs concentration in tap water(40±16 MP/L)was statistically indistinguishable from that in bottled water(37±11 MP/L).However,the average MPs particle size in tap water(32.4 mm)exceeded significantly(p<0.05)that in bottled water(26.5 mm),indicating the various purification processes applied to bottled water may help remove larger MPs,but raises concern over the potential adverse health effects from exposure to smaller MPs.The most frequently detected polymer types were:polypropylene(PP),polyethylene(PE),and polyvinyl chloride(PVC)in tap water,and PE,PP and polyethylene terephthalate(PET)in bottled water.A strong correlation was observed(r?0.68,P?0.049)between the plastic cap material(PE)and the predominant polymer type in the bottled water.In terms of morphology,fragments and fibres were the most abundant MPs,together constituting 92%and 96%of MPs detected in tap and bottled water samples,respectively.Using EFSA(European Food Safety Authority)recommended daily water intakes,the corresponding exposures to MPs in different UK age groups were estimated.On a body weight(BW)basis,infants and toddlers were exposed(4 MP/kg BW/day)at a higher level than adults(1 MP/kg BW/day).This raises concern,given the former's incompletely developed immune/nervous systems rendering them at higher risk of adverse health effects from such exposure.展开更多
Informal e-waste recycling poses substantial environmental and human health risks due to contamination by flame retardants(FRs)and related chemical additives.This study systematically reviews the status of research on...Informal e-waste recycling poses substantial environmental and human health risks due to contamination by flame retardants(FRs)and related chemical additives.This study systematically reviews the status of research on polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)and organophosphate esters(OPEs)in e-waste recycling sites,with a particular focus on concentration levels and geographic disparities in data availability.Only a few studies have been conducted in Africa and South America and there are significant gaps.This geographic imbalance and other factors impede accurate assessment and comprehensive understanding of global e-waste pollution and associated risks.In examining the concentrations of PCBs and FRs,the study finds notable variations across different countries.For instance,high levels of these toxic chemicals were reported in China and India,which are major hubs for e-waste recycling in Asia.Concentrations in these regions often exceed international safety standards,posing severe risks for workers and local communities.Conversely,data from Africa and South America are sparse,despite the growing presence of informal e-waste recycling activities in these continents.Factors driving these differences include the prevalence of informal recycling practices,variations in waste import volumes,regulatory gaps,and disparities in technological capacity for safe waste management.In developing countries,weaker enforcement of environmental laws and reliance on rudimentary recycling methods lead to higher levels of contamination.However,developed nations with stricter regulations and advanced technologies exhibit lower concentrations of these pollutants.While high concentrations of FRs are documented in environmental matrices,human biomonitoring and epidemiological studies are needed to correlate environmental concentrations with health outcomes,particularly for workers at e-waste sites.In summary,this review emphasizes the critical need for broader geographical coverage,standardized methodologies,and robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate the significant health and environmental risks associated with FRs and PCBs in e-waste recycling sites.展开更多
The occurrence,concentrations,and distribution profiles of chlorinated organophosphate esters(Cl-OPEs)were investigated in seventy-one car and road dust samples collected from Basrah,southern Iraq.In addition,estimate...The occurrence,concentrations,and distribution profiles of chlorinated organophosphate esters(Cl-OPEs)were investigated in seventy-one car and road dust samples collected from Basrah,southern Iraq.In addition,estimated daily intakes(EDIs)via dust ingestion were assessed for toddlers,regular adults,and taxi drivers.In car dust samples,the concentrations of S3Cl-OPEs ranged from 4120 to 73200 ng/g(median 11700 ng/g)with tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate(TDCIPP)the predominant compound.In road dust samples,the concentrations of ∑_(3)Cl-OPEs ranged from 269 to 3400 ng/g(median 373 ng/g)and 114e526 ng/g(median 222 ng/g)in urban and rural areas,respectively,with tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCIPP),predominant.Concentrations of Cl-OPEs in urban road dust are significantly higher(P<0.05)than those in rural road dust,suggesting commercial and industrial activity,population density,and heavy traffic may influence the concentrations.The different compositional profiles of Cl-OPEs in car and road dust may be attributed to the physicochemical properties of Cl-OPEs and the pathways through which they can be released into indoor and outdoor environments.EDI values of Cl-OPEs for the Iraqi population via car dust ingestion were in the order:toddlers>taxi drivers>regular adults,exceeding those via road dust by factors of 27 and 40 from urban and rural dust,respectively.For people who work as taxi drivers,EDIs were seven times higher than those of regular adults,implying that people-such as professional drivers-who spend a substantial amount of time in their vehicles may be exposed to hazardous levels of Cl-OPEs.Despite the study showing that the EDIs through dust ingestion for the three population groups were well below the reference dose(RfD)levels,further studies are recommended to assess other pathways,such as inhalation,dietary sources,and dermal absorption.展开更多
The presence of brominated flame retardants(BFRs)in foodstuffs of African origin is poorly understood.To fill this gap,animal-derived food samples comprising 13 different items originally from Nigeria were obtained in...The presence of brominated flame retardants(BFRs)in foodstuffs of African origin is poorly understood.To fill this gap,animal-derived food samples comprising 13 different items originally from Nigeria were obtained in 2021,and concentrations of novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs),polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)were measured.Arithmetic mean concentrations of NBFRs,PBDEs,and HBCDD in Nigerian foodstuffs were 2.1 ng/g(18 ng/g lipid weight(lw)),1.3 ng/g(9.2 ng/g lw),and 0.42 ng/g(2.8 ng/g lw),with median concentrations of 1.7 ng/g(14 ng/g lw),1.1 ng/g(8.2 ng/g lw),and<0.34 ng/g(<3.3 ng/g lw),respectively.Higher concentrations of NBFRs than of PBDEs and HBCDDs in Nigerian foodstuffs likely reflect use of NBFRs as substitutes for legacy BFRs in Nigeria.Comparison with previous dietary studies reveals rising concentrations of PBDEs in Nigerian foodstuffs in recent years with associated rises in dietary exposure,possibly due to active domestic use of PBDEs in Nigeria.Reassuringly,comparison of our exposure estimates with health-based limit values suggests adverse health effects of dietary intake of BFRs by Nigerians are unlikely to occur.展开更多
Novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)are a group of chemicals applied mainly as alternatives to the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs).However,toxicological studies show that NBFRs may pose health ris...Novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)are a group of chemicals applied mainly as alternatives to the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs).However,toxicological studies show that NBFRs may pose health risks similar to PBDEs.The present study reviews available information on the biomonitoring of NBFRs and their metabolites in humans through invasive and non-invasive biomarkers,as well as the toxicological effects of these chemicals both in vivo and in vitro.In general,higher concentrations of NBFRs were reported in tissues of occupationally exposed adults from NBFR production facilities,e-waste recycling facilities and inhabitants living close to these areas,compared to the general population.It is worth noting that NBFR human biomonitoring data are limited to few countries located in North America,Europe and Asia,while data from developing countries are scarce.Evidence from in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies show that several NBFRs can cause adverse health effects through various modes of action,mainly:hormone disruption,genotoxicity,endocrine disruption,and behavioural changes.Although few studies have investigated the biotransformation of NBFRs in humans,evidence suggests that the toxicity of some NBFRs may be augmented through their metabolites,as in the case of 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoic acid(TBBA),which may exhibit higher toxicity than its parent compound 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate(EH-TBB).More research is required to assess toxicity thresholds,toxic endpoints,and tolerable intakes for various NBFRs,and their metabolites in human.Comprehensive epidemiological studies are highly recommended to further understand the risk arising from human exposure to different NBFRs,particularly in occupational settings.展开更多
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)are a unique group of emerging environmental contaminants,due to their inherent ability to induce physiological effects in human at low doses.An increasing number of st...Pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)are a unique group of emerging environmental contaminants,due to their inherent ability to induce physiological effects in human at low doses.An increasing number of studies has confirmed the presence of various PPCPs in different environmental compartments,which raises concerns about the potential adverse effects to humans and wildlife.Therefore,this article reviews the current state-of-knowledge on PPCPs in the freshwater aquatic environment.The environmental risk posed by these contaminants is evaluated in light of the persistence,bioaccumulation and toxicity criteria.Available literature on the sources,transport and degradation of PPCPs in the aquatic environment are evaluated,followed by a comprehensive review of the reported concentrations of different PPCP groups in the freshwater aquatic environment(water,sediment and biota)of the five continents.Finally,future perspectives for research on PPCPs in the freshwater aquatic environment are discussed in light of the identified research gaps in current knowledge.展开更多
Data on the presence of organophosphate esters(OPEs)in drinking water and its significance as a pathway of exposure are limited.In this study,we measure for the first time,concentrations of eight OPEs in 50 UK drinkin...Data on the presence of organophosphate esters(OPEs)in drinking water and its significance as a pathway of exposure are limited.In this study,we measure for the first time,concentrations of eight OPEs in 50 UK drinking water samples.Arithmetic mean concentrations of ∑8OPEs were:6.4 and 11 ng/L in bottled(n=25)and tap water samples(n=25),respectively.Concentrations of ∑8OPEs in tap water(mean:11 ng/L)exceed significantly those in bottled water(mean:6.4 ng/L)(p˂0.01).Moreover,UK tap water is more contaminated with chlorinated,aryl-,and alkyl-OPEs than bottled water.The predominant OPEs detected were:tris(butoxyethyl)phosphate(TBOEP),tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(TCEP),and tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCIPP)with arithmetic mean concentrations in the two water sample types ranging between(3.5e3.8 ng/L),(0.60-3.0 ng/L),and(1.02-2.9 ng/L),respectively.Estimated daily intakes(EDIs)(mean and high-end exposure)via drinking water for different sectors of the UK population were:infants(0.93 and 6.4 ng/kg bw/day)˃toddlers(0.46 and 3.1 ng/kg bw/day)˃children(0.35 and 2.3 ng/kg bw/day)˃adults(0.28 and 2.1 ng/kg bw/day).Based on these data,exposure to ∑8OPEs via drinking water is much lower than via:food,indoor dust ingestion,inhalation,and dermal uptake for adults and toddlers.Reassuringly,our EDIs were lower than relevant reference dose(RfD)values.However,combining our drinking water ingestion data with exposure via other pathways revealed overall exposure to 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP)and TCIPP to approach health-based limit values for UK toddlers under a high-end exposure scenario.展开更多
Concentrations of 6 organophosphate esters(OPEs)were determined in 60 indoor(ID)and outdoor(OD)dust samples collected from 20 homes from Basrah,Iraq.From each home,two ID samples were collected,one from elevated surfa...Concentrations of 6 organophosphate esters(OPEs)were determined in 60 indoor(ID)and outdoor(OD)dust samples collected from 20 homes from Basrah,Iraq.From each home,two ID samples were collected,one from elevated surfaces(ESD)and one from the floor(FD)of the living room;while the OD samples were collected from the front yard of the same house.Total S6OPEs concentrations in dust samples ranged between 681 and 17900 ng/g with median concentrations of 5950,3590 and 1550 ng/g in ESD,FD and OD samples,respectively.Chlorinated OPEs were the most abundant compounds,contributing mean percentages of 88%,85%and 78%toΣ_(6)OPEs in ESD,FD and OD,respectively,with tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate(TCIPP)dominant.Concentrations of our target OPEs in ESD significantly exceeded those in FD(p<0.05)for tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(TCEP)and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate(TDCIPP).Ratios of median concentrations of OPEs in ID:OD ranged from 1.5 for tri-n-butyl phosphate(TNBP)to 8.0 for TCEP,indicating the significance of indoor sources.Concentrations of chlorinated OPEs in ID were moderately correlated(R=0.522-0.591,P<0.05)with those in OD samples,suggesting interchange of OPEs between the two environments.Concentrations of OPEs in OD from houses with a contiguous front yard car porch exceeded those in OD from houses without a car porch and were significantly higher(P<0.05)for TCEP,TCIPP and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP).Emissions from parked cars and the associated home are likely sources of OPEs in the OD area.Based on the concentrations reported here,the estimated daily intake(EDI)for the Iraqi population through house dust ingestion are all well below the relevant reference dose(RfD)values.展开更多
The occurrence of 28 pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)was investigated in 17 surface water samples(rivers,canals,and lagoons),12 groundwater samples(wells and boreholes,which can also be consumed for d...The occurrence of 28 pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)was investigated in 17 surface water samples(rivers,canals,and lagoons),12 groundwater samples(wells and boreholes,which can also be consumed for drinking)and 8 drinking water samples(bottles and sachets)during dry and rainy seasons in Lagos state,Nigeria.The most prevalent compound detected in all samples was amoxicillin(an antibiotic)at median concentrations of 1614,238 and 358 ng/L in surface water,ground water and drinking water,respectively.This is of concern due to potential impact on development of antibioticresistant microbial strains.Other frequently-detected compounds include acetaminophen,nicotine,ibuprofen,and codeine with detection frequencies of more than 70%.Investigation of seasonal variability revealed that glyburide,caffeine,naproxen and diclofenac concentrations were significantly(P<0.05)higher during the dry season(winter),while Nicotine and Codeine levels were higher during the rainy season(summer).The factors influencing such seasonal variability include:dilution by extensive rainfall,agricultural activity(for nicotine)and usage patterns of pharmaceuticals among the local community.Measured concentrations in drinking water samples were used to assess inadvertent human exposure to PPCPs in Nigerian adults.Results revealed average daily exposures of 81,14 and 3 ngƩPPCPs/kg BW/day via drinking borehole,sachet water and bottled water,respectively.While there exists no health-based limit value(HBLV)for chronic exposure to mixtures of PPCPs,our results raise concern and warrant further investigation of the potential health implications of such unintended PPCPs exposure.展开更多
This study reviews current knowledge about the presence of brominated and chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants(BFRs and Cl-OPFRs)in plastic consumer articles,with particular reference to the potential as a res...This study reviews current knowledge about the presence of brominated and chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants(BFRs and Cl-OPFRs)in plastic consumer articles,with particular reference to the potential as a result of recycling,for such chemicals to unintentionally contaminate articles in which flame retardants are not required.To minimize such unintentional contamination,jurisdictions such as the EU(European Union)have introduced limits on concentrations of some BFRs in waste plastics,with articles exceeding such limits prevented from being recycled.Substantial technical and economic constraints associated with the conventional methods for determining compliance with such limit values exist,leading to less specific,but simpler,more rapid,and less expensive methods such as portable X-ray fluorescence(XRF)spectrometry being identified as possible alternatives.This paper thus examines the evidence that XRF offers a viable method for checking compliance with existing and possible future limits on BFRs and Cl-OPFRs in waste plastics and identifies future research priorities.展开更多
Concentrations of a number of organophosphate flame retardants(PFRs)were measured in floor dust collected from living rooms in Australia(n=42),Canada(n=14),Germany(n=22),and Kazakhstan(n=9);cars from Australia(n=39)an...Concentrations of a number of organophosphate flame retardants(PFRs)were measured in floor dust collected from living rooms in Australia(n=42),Canada(n=14),Germany(n=22),and Kazakhstan(n=9);cars from Australia(n=39)and Germany(n=19);and offices from Germany(n=25)and Kazahkstan(n=8).PFR concentrations in these samples were compared with each other and with previously reported data for PFRs in dust from similar microenvironments in the UK.Our data reveal significant between-country differences in both absolute concentrations and the relative abundance of specific PFRs in each of the microenvironments studied.Most notably,concentrations of TCIPP in UK living room dust(median=21 μg g^-1)exceeded significantly(p<0.05)those in all other countries studied here;a substantial number of car dust samples contained elevated concentrations of TDCIPP,and German samples generally contained lower levels of PFRs in all microenvironments studied.In addition,PFRs were determined in dust samples collected from living room couches in both Australia(n=41)and the UK(n=10).The elevated concentrations of TCIPP in UK living room dust are likely attributable to the favoured use of this PFR in UK couch foam.This is indicated by concentrations of TCIPP in UK couch dust(median=610 μg g^-1)exceeding significantly those in Australian couch dust(median=2.9 μg g^-1).Moreover,concentrations of TCIPP in UK couch dust originating from couches 15 years old or less,display a marked relationship with the age of the couch,with concentrations in such samples increasing significantly(p<0.01)with couch age.展开更多
Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)and selected novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)were measured in indoor dust from the living areas of 18 homes in Basrah,Iraq.This is the first report of con...Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)and selected novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)were measured in indoor dust from the living areas of 18 homes in Basrah,Iraq.This is the first report of contamination of the Iraqi environment with these chemicals.To evaluate the implications for human exposure,samples were collected from both the floor and from elevated surfaces like tables,shelves and chairs.When normalised for the organic carbon content of the dust sample,concentrations in elevated surface dust of BDE-99,BDE-209,pentabromoethylbenzene(PBEB),bis(2-ethylhexyl)3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate(BEH-TEBP),and decabromodiphenylethane(DBDPE)exceeded significantly(p<0.05)those in floor dust from the same rooms.This suggests that previous studies that base estimates of adult exposure via dust ingestion on floor dust,may underestimate exposure.Such underestimation is less likely for toddlers who are far more likely to ingest floor dust.Concentrations of PBDEs and NBFRs in indoor dust from Basrah,Iraq are at the lower end of levels reported elsewhere.The PBDE contamination pattern in our samples suggests that use in Iraq of the Deca-BDE formulation,exceeds substantially that of Penta-BDE,but that use of the Octa-BDE formulation has been higher in Iraq than in some other regions.Reassuringly,our estimates of exposure to our target BFRs via dust ingestion for the Iraqi population fall well below the relevant health-based limit values.展开更多
Concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane isomers(α-,β-and γ-HBCDs)and tetrabromobisphenol-A(TBBP-A)were measured-for the first time-in indoor dust from homes,offices and cars from France,Kazakhstan and Nigeria.∑HB...Concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane isomers(α-,β-and γ-HBCDs)and tetrabromobisphenol-A(TBBP-A)were measured-for the first time-in indoor dust from homes,offices and cars from France,Kazakhstan and Nigeria.∑HBCDs in French and Kazakhstani house dust(median=1351 and 280 ng g^-1,respectively)were consistent with previous reports from the UK and Romania,respectively.Concentrations of ∑HBCDs in Nigerian domestic dust(median=394 ng g^-1)were substantially higher than those reported from Egyptian homes.In general,concentrations of ∑HBCDs in the studied microenvironments were higher than those of TBBP-A,which may be attributed to the major application of TBBP-A as a reactive flame retardant;rendering its release to dust more difficult.Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower ∑HBCDs in French houses than those found in both offices and cars,while ∑HBCDs in cars from Kazakhstan were higher(P<0.05)than those in homes and offices.Moreover,TBBP-A concentrations in car dust from Nigeria were lower than those found in homes and offices.Exposure estimates revealed higher intake of HBCDs and TBBP-A by toddlers via indoor dust ingestion compared to adults.Combined with their low body weight,this can raise concerns over the potential adverse health effects of such high exposure in toddlers.展开更多
While many African countries are signatories of the United Nations’Environment Programme(UNEP)Stockholm Convention aimed at eradication or reduction of persistent organic pollutants(POPs)in the environment,many such ...While many African countries are signatories of the United Nations’Environment Programme(UNEP)Stockholm Convention aimed at eradication or reduction of persistent organic pollutants(POPs)in the environment,many such countries have limited financial and technical capacities to either combat the effects of POPs or effect their removal from the environment.Amongst those chemicals listed as POPs under the Stockholm Convention are polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD).Also of concern are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH),which are listed under the UN Economic Commission for Europe(UN-ECE)’s protocol on long range transboundary air pollution(LRTAP).This review examines the state of knowledge pertaining to concentration levels and trends of these contaminants in air(both indoor and outdoor)and indoor dust in Africa.Despite there being no known manufacture of PBDEs or HBCDD in Africa,concentrations in air of these contaminants in Africa are comparable to those in continents where the chemicals were initially produced and known to be widely used.Insufficient data were available to discern any temporal trend in concentrations of the target contaminants.However,the evidence highlights sources of PCBs,PBDEs,and HBCDD in Africa to include obsolete electrical and electronic equipment and informal handling and treatment of electronic waste.Elevated concentrations of PAHs in air and in indoor dust are evident.Concentrations of PAHs in indoor dust can be significantly influenced by outdoor sources,particularly vehicular emissions leading to higher concentrations in urban settings.With the current and projected increase in African urbanisation and demand for consumer goods,there is substantial potential for concentrations of PBDEs,HBCDD,PCBs,and PAHs to rise in the near future.There is therefore a need for long-term monitoring of concentrations of these chemicals in air and indoor dust at a range of locations across the African continent.This should be designed to assess spatial trends and human exposure via inhalation and incidental dust ingestion,as well as facilitating elucidation of temporal trends of POPs in Africa and evaluation of the impacts of measures to reduce concentrations.展开更多
Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD),tetrabromobisphenol-A(TBBPA)and two potential replacements decabromodiphenylethane(DBDPE)and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(B...Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD),tetrabromobisphenol-A(TBBPA)and two potential replacements decabromodiphenylethane(DBDPE)and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(BTBPE)were measured in dust samples collected from 14 homes across Birmingham(UK).Concentrations were compared with those from the same city in previous studies to ascertain any temporal changes and to assess the effects of legislative restrictions.The average PHBCDDs concentration(46,000 ng/g;median=280 ng/g)included the highest dust concentration recorded globally(570,000 ng/g).This is despite the listing of HBCDD under the Stockholm Convention in 2013,demonstrating that decreases in indoor contamination will likely be slow as existing sources are gradually discarded.In contrast,concentrations of BDE-47(mean=5.7 ng/g;median=0.93 ng/g)and BDE-99(mean=11 ng/g;median=2.9 ng/g)were significantly lower than in all previous(p<0.01)studies in the same city since 2006,suggesting restrictions on the Penta-BDE formulation have been effective.The average BDE-209 concentration(4800 ng/g;median=1600 ng/g)is lower than the peak average concentration,which was observed in 2007(280,000 ng/g),however this is not a significant decline,probably due to the later imposition of Deca-BDE restrictions compared to those on Penta-BDE.Decreases in PBDE concentrations have coincided with a significant(p<0.01)increase in DBDPE concentrations(average=1500 ng/g;median=660 ng/g)since 2014,suggesting its use as a replacement flame retardant for Deca-BDE.While no significant change was detected for BTBPE(average 11 ng/g;median=0.84 ng/g in this study);concentrations of TBBPA(average=34 ng/g;median=35 ng/g)were significantly lower(p<0.05)than in 2007(average 62 ng/g).The decreases observed in PBDE concentrations,demonstrates that legislation has been effective in reducing the commercial use of PBDEs,however this has coincided with increases of alternative flame retardants such as DBDPE.展开更多
A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to study emissions of hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)into aqueous leaching fluid under simulated landfill conditions.Expanded(EPS)and extruded(XPS)polystyrene building i...A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to study emissions of hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)into aqueous leaching fluid under simulated landfill conditions.Expanded(EPS)and extruded(XPS)polystyrene building insulation foam samples containing HBCDD were contacted with deionised Milli-Q water containing 0,100 and 1000 mg L1 dissolved humic matter(DHM)as leaching fluid.Concentrations of HBCDD were determined in the resulting fluid and single and serial batch experiments conducted.The impacts on HBCDD concentrations in the leaching fluid temperature and pH were examined.Data from these experiments show that HBCDD concentrations in leaching fluid following contact with EPS and XPS almost all exceeded the aqueous solubilities for each diastereomer and the technical HBCDD formula.This indicates that agitation and abrasion of EPS and XPS were significant mechanisms of HBCDD emission to leaching fluid.Specifically,under such conditions,HBCDD is likely associated with fine abraded particles of the foam and concentrations in the leaching fluid are therefore not limited by the aqueous solubility of HBCDD.Consistent with this,the length of contact time had a significant positive effect on concentrations of all diastereomers in the leaching fluid for XPS and for the least soluble diastereomer,g-HBCDD for EPS.Generally,the presence of DHM in the leaching fluid and elevated leaching fluid temperatures had significant positive effects on HBCDD concentrations in leaching fluid for both EPS and XPS.Overall,while leaching fluids of pH 8.5 significantly enhanced concentrations of a-HBCDD released from EPS,pH exerts a minor effect on concentrations of HBCDD in leaching fluid.展开更多
The Furniture and Furnishings(Fire Safety)Regulations 1988 is the major driver for the use of chemical flame retardants(FRs)in soft furnishings marketed in the UK.While these regulations specify the level of flame ret...The Furniture and Furnishings(Fire Safety)Regulations 1988 is the major driver for the use of chemical flame retardants(FRs)in soft furnishings marketed in the UK.While these regulations specify the level of flame retardancy required,they do not specify how such levels should be achieved.Consequently,it remains unclear which FRs are present in UK soft furnishings.This is important not only to help assess what FRs we may be exposed to currently,but which FRs are currently entering the waste stream with concomitant potential for release into the environment.To address this data gap,concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)and a range of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants(OPFRs)were measured in samples of domestic and office waste soft furnishings products entering the UK waste stream in 2011 and 2012.This preliminary study measured the FR content of:carpets(n?4),curtains(n?7),mattress fabrics(n?2),furniture foam(n?9),and furniture upholstery textiles(n?10).Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)were not found at significant concentrations(below detection limits in most samples)in any of the twenty two analysed products.In contrast,7 of the 9 furniture foam samples were treated with tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCIPP)at a mean concentration of 1.9%w/w,with another single foam sample containing tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate(TDCIPP)and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(TCEP)at 1.1 and 0.5%respectively.By comparison,PBDE concentrations are within the range reported previously for UK indoor dust[18],rather than the percent by weight levels required to impart flame retardancy.展开更多
A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-209)and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)from a mix of three fabrics.Consistent with previous reports that such leac...A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-209)and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)from a mix of three fabrics.Consistent with previous reports that such leaching is governed by second order kinetics,concentrations in leachate were markedly higher in the first 24 h of leaching,and diminished by an order of magnitude after 1 week.The influence of the waste:leachate ratio was examined for the first time,with leaching of both BDE-209 and HBCDD significantly greater(p<0.05)at a waste:leachate ratio of 0.005 g/mL than at 0.05 g/mL.Using dissolved humic matter(DHM)solutions as proxy for simulating organic landfill leachates we found that leaching of both BDE-209 and HBCDD was also significantly greater at a DHM concentration of 1,000 mg/L in leachate compared to that observed at DHM values of 100 and 0 mg/L.Agitation of waste:leachate mixtures significantly enhanced leaching.While leaching of HBCDD decreased significantly as leachate pH increased from 5.8,through 6.5,to 8.5;no significant impact of pH on leaching of BDE-209 was detected.Concentrations in leachate of both BDE-209 and HBCDD decreased significantly on increasing leachate temperature from 20℃to 60℃and 80℃.This is considered most likely due to volatilisation of these contaminants into the headspace of the leaching vessel at higher temperatures.展开更多
One active and two passive air sampling configurations were deployed simultaneously in three offices in Beijing,China to test their comparability for sampling emerging and legacy halogenated flame retardants spanning ...One active and two passive air sampling configurations were deployed simultaneously in three offices in Beijing,China to test their comparability for sampling emerging and legacy halogenated flame retardants spanning a large range of octanoleair partition coefficients(KOA).Sampling in each office was carried out for three consecutive 28-day periods in the spring-summer of 2013.The active sampler was run for 2.5 h at different times every day for 28 days to parallel the passive samplers and sample a total volume comparable to that sampled by the passive samplers(~20 m^3).At the end of each 28-day sampling period,a separate active air sample was taken by running the sampler pump continuously for about 2.5 days.The comparability of measured concentrations varied between the air sampling configurations and for different compounds.The predominant compound measured in nearly all samples was BDE-209,a compound known to have heavy use in China.Several emerging flame retardants were also detected including DBE-DBCH,PBT,HBB,DDC-CO,and DBDPE.Very little of the tetra-hexabrominated BDEs associated with the technical PentaBDE product was observed.展开更多
Human exposure to consumer chemicals has become a worldwide concern.In this work,a comprehensive sampling strategy is presented,to our knowledge being the first to study all relevant exposure pathways in a single coho...Human exposure to consumer chemicals has become a worldwide concern.In this work,a comprehensive sampling strategy is presented,to our knowledge being the first to study all relevant exposure pathways in a single cohort using multiple methods for assessment of exposure from each exposure pathway.The selected groups of chemicals to be studied are consumer chemicals whose production and use are currently in a state of transition and are;per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances(PFASs),traditional and“emerging”brominated flame retardants(BFRs and EBFRs),organophosphate esters(OPEs)and phthalate esters(PEs).Information about human exposure to these contaminants is needed due to existing data gaps on human exposure intakes from multiple exposure pathways and relationships between internal and external exposure.Indoor environment,food and biological samples were collected from 61 participants and their households in the Oslo area(Norway)on two consecutive days,during winter 2013-14.Air,dust,hand wipes,and duplicate diet(food and drink)samples were collected as indicators of external exposure,and blood,urine,blood spots,hair,nails and saliva as indicators of internal exposure.A food diary,food frequency questionnaire(FFQ)and indoor environment questionnaire were also implemented.Approximately 2000 samples were collected in total and participant views on their experiences of this campaign were collected via questionnaire.While 91%of our participants were positive about future participation in a similar project,some tasks were viewed as problematic.Completing the food diary and collection of duplicate food/drink portions were the tasksmost frequent reported as“hard”/“very hard”.Nevertheless,a strong positive correlation between the reported total mass of food/drinks in the food record and the total weight of the food/drinks in the collection bottles was observed,being an indication of accurate performance of the participants despite the challenges of the sampling campaign.展开更多
文摘There is increasing concern for public health over inadvertent human exposure to MPs due to potential adverse health effects linked to MPs polymeric composition,toxic chemical additives,and/or harmful microorganisms adsorbing onto their surfaces.While numerous studies have reported MPs occurrence and risk in the freshwater aquatic environment and drinking water sources(e.g.,rivers,lakes,and reservoirs),the current state-of-knowledge on MPs pollution in drinking water(i.e.,tap water and bottled water)remains limited at a global level.This paper provides the first comprehensive study of the occurrence,concentrations,size distribution,shape,and polymer type of MPs in 177 tap water samples from 13 cities in the United Kingdom,as well as 85 samples of bottled water from 17 popular brands,with various packaging materials,on the UK market.MPs were detected in all tap water samples(range 6e100 MP/L)and bottled water samples(range 12 e62 MP/L).Average MPs concentration in tap water(40±16 MP/L)was statistically indistinguishable from that in bottled water(37±11 MP/L).However,the average MPs particle size in tap water(32.4 mm)exceeded significantly(p<0.05)that in bottled water(26.5 mm),indicating the various purification processes applied to bottled water may help remove larger MPs,but raises concern over the potential adverse health effects from exposure to smaller MPs.The most frequently detected polymer types were:polypropylene(PP),polyethylene(PE),and polyvinyl chloride(PVC)in tap water,and PE,PP and polyethylene terephthalate(PET)in bottled water.A strong correlation was observed(r?0.68,P?0.049)between the plastic cap material(PE)and the predominant polymer type in the bottled water.In terms of morphology,fragments and fibres were the most abundant MPs,together constituting 92%and 96%of MPs detected in tap and bottled water samples,respectively.Using EFSA(European Food Safety Authority)recommended daily water intakes,the corresponding exposures to MPs in different UK age groups were estimated.On a body weight(BW)basis,infants and toddlers were exposed(4 MP/kg BW/day)at a higher level than adults(1 MP/kg BW/day).This raises concern,given the former's incompletely developed immune/nervous systems rendering them at higher risk of adverse health effects from such exposure.
基金funded by the UK government via a Commonwealth Scholarship split-site scholarship(NGCN-2022-357)at the University of Birminghamfunding from the Royal Society of Chemistry Analytical Chemistry Trust Fund-Developing World Scholarship(22/600504/02).
文摘Informal e-waste recycling poses substantial environmental and human health risks due to contamination by flame retardants(FRs)and related chemical additives.This study systematically reviews the status of research on polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)and organophosphate esters(OPEs)in e-waste recycling sites,with a particular focus on concentration levels and geographic disparities in data availability.Only a few studies have been conducted in Africa and South America and there are significant gaps.This geographic imbalance and other factors impede accurate assessment and comprehensive understanding of global e-waste pollution and associated risks.In examining the concentrations of PCBs and FRs,the study finds notable variations across different countries.For instance,high levels of these toxic chemicals were reported in China and India,which are major hubs for e-waste recycling in Asia.Concentrations in these regions often exceed international safety standards,posing severe risks for workers and local communities.Conversely,data from Africa and South America are sparse,despite the growing presence of informal e-waste recycling activities in these continents.Factors driving these differences include the prevalence of informal recycling practices,variations in waste import volumes,regulatory gaps,and disparities in technological capacity for safe waste management.In developing countries,weaker enforcement of environmental laws and reliance on rudimentary recycling methods lead to higher levels of contamination.However,developed nations with stricter regulations and advanced technologies exhibit lower concentrations of these pollutants.While high concentrations of FRs are documented in environmental matrices,human biomonitoring and epidemiological studies are needed to correlate environmental concentrations with health outcomes,particularly for workers at e-waste sites.In summary,this review emphasizes the critical need for broader geographical coverage,standardized methodologies,and robust regulatory frameworks to mitigate the significant health and environmental risks associated with FRs and PCBs in e-waste recycling sites.
文摘The occurrence,concentrations,and distribution profiles of chlorinated organophosphate esters(Cl-OPEs)were investigated in seventy-one car and road dust samples collected from Basrah,southern Iraq.In addition,estimated daily intakes(EDIs)via dust ingestion were assessed for toddlers,regular adults,and taxi drivers.In car dust samples,the concentrations of S3Cl-OPEs ranged from 4120 to 73200 ng/g(median 11700 ng/g)with tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate(TDCIPP)the predominant compound.In road dust samples,the concentrations of ∑_(3)Cl-OPEs ranged from 269 to 3400 ng/g(median 373 ng/g)and 114e526 ng/g(median 222 ng/g)in urban and rural areas,respectively,with tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCIPP),predominant.Concentrations of Cl-OPEs in urban road dust are significantly higher(P<0.05)than those in rural road dust,suggesting commercial and industrial activity,population density,and heavy traffic may influence the concentrations.The different compositional profiles of Cl-OPEs in car and road dust may be attributed to the physicochemical properties of Cl-OPEs and the pathways through which they can be released into indoor and outdoor environments.EDI values of Cl-OPEs for the Iraqi population via car dust ingestion were in the order:toddlers>taxi drivers>regular adults,exceeding those via road dust by factors of 27 and 40 from urban and rural dust,respectively.For people who work as taxi drivers,EDIs were seven times higher than those of regular adults,implying that people-such as professional drivers-who spend a substantial amount of time in their vehicles may be exposed to hazardous levels of Cl-OPEs.Despite the study showing that the EDIs through dust ingestion for the three population groups were well below the reference dose(RfD)levels,further studies are recommended to assess other pathways,such as inhalation,dietary sources,and dermal absorption.
文摘The presence of brominated flame retardants(BFRs)in foodstuffs of African origin is poorly understood.To fill this gap,animal-derived food samples comprising 13 different items originally from Nigeria were obtained in 2021,and concentrations of novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs),polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)were measured.Arithmetic mean concentrations of NBFRs,PBDEs,and HBCDD in Nigerian foodstuffs were 2.1 ng/g(18 ng/g lipid weight(lw)),1.3 ng/g(9.2 ng/g lw),and 0.42 ng/g(2.8 ng/g lw),with median concentrations of 1.7 ng/g(14 ng/g lw),1.1 ng/g(8.2 ng/g lw),and<0.34 ng/g(<3.3 ng/g lw),respectively.Higher concentrations of NBFRs than of PBDEs and HBCDDs in Nigerian foodstuffs likely reflect use of NBFRs as substitutes for legacy BFRs in Nigeria.Comparison with previous dietary studies reveals rising concentrations of PBDEs in Nigerian foodstuffs in recent years with associated rises in dietary exposure,possibly due to active domestic use of PBDEs in Nigeria.Reassuringly,comparison of our exposure estimates with health-based limit values suggests adverse health effects of dietary intake of BFRs by Nigerians are unlikely to occur.
基金funded by the UK government via a Commonwealth Scholarship split-site scholarship(NGCN-2020-230)funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement no.734522(INTERWASTE)project.
文摘Novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)are a group of chemicals applied mainly as alternatives to the phased-out polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs).However,toxicological studies show that NBFRs may pose health risks similar to PBDEs.The present study reviews available information on the biomonitoring of NBFRs and their metabolites in humans through invasive and non-invasive biomarkers,as well as the toxicological effects of these chemicals both in vivo and in vitro.In general,higher concentrations of NBFRs were reported in tissues of occupationally exposed adults from NBFR production facilities,e-waste recycling facilities and inhabitants living close to these areas,compared to the general population.It is worth noting that NBFR human biomonitoring data are limited to few countries located in North America,Europe and Asia,while data from developing countries are scarce.Evidence from in vivo and in vitro toxicity studies show that several NBFRs can cause adverse health effects through various modes of action,mainly:hormone disruption,genotoxicity,endocrine disruption,and behavioural changes.Although few studies have investigated the biotransformation of NBFRs in humans,evidence suggests that the toxicity of some NBFRs may be augmented through their metabolites,as in the case of 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoic acid(TBBA),which may exhibit higher toxicity than its parent compound 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate(EH-TBB).More research is required to assess toxicity thresholds,toxic endpoints,and tolerable intakes for various NBFRs,and their metabolites in human.Comprehensive epidemiological studies are highly recommended to further understand the risk arising from human exposure to different NBFRs,particularly in occupational settings.
文摘Pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)are a unique group of emerging environmental contaminants,due to their inherent ability to induce physiological effects in human at low doses.An increasing number of studies has confirmed the presence of various PPCPs in different environmental compartments,which raises concerns about the potential adverse effects to humans and wildlife.Therefore,this article reviews the current state-of-knowledge on PPCPs in the freshwater aquatic environment.The environmental risk posed by these contaminants is evaluated in light of the persistence,bioaccumulation and toxicity criteria.Available literature on the sources,transport and degradation of PPCPs in the aquatic environment are evaluated,followed by a comprehensive review of the reported concentrations of different PPCP groups in the freshwater aquatic environment(water,sediment and biota)of the five continents.Finally,future perspectives for research on PPCPs in the freshwater aquatic environment are discussed in light of the identified research gaps in current knowledge.
文摘Data on the presence of organophosphate esters(OPEs)in drinking water and its significance as a pathway of exposure are limited.In this study,we measure for the first time,concentrations of eight OPEs in 50 UK drinking water samples.Arithmetic mean concentrations of ∑8OPEs were:6.4 and 11 ng/L in bottled(n=25)and tap water samples(n=25),respectively.Concentrations of ∑8OPEs in tap water(mean:11 ng/L)exceed significantly those in bottled water(mean:6.4 ng/L)(p˂0.01).Moreover,UK tap water is more contaminated with chlorinated,aryl-,and alkyl-OPEs than bottled water.The predominant OPEs detected were:tris(butoxyethyl)phosphate(TBOEP),tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(TCEP),and tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCIPP)with arithmetic mean concentrations in the two water sample types ranging between(3.5e3.8 ng/L),(0.60-3.0 ng/L),and(1.02-2.9 ng/L),respectively.Estimated daily intakes(EDIs)(mean and high-end exposure)via drinking water for different sectors of the UK population were:infants(0.93 and 6.4 ng/kg bw/day)˃toddlers(0.46 and 3.1 ng/kg bw/day)˃children(0.35 and 2.3 ng/kg bw/day)˃adults(0.28 and 2.1 ng/kg bw/day).Based on these data,exposure to ∑8OPEs via drinking water is much lower than via:food,indoor dust ingestion,inhalation,and dermal uptake for adults and toddlers.Reassuringly,our EDIs were lower than relevant reference dose(RfD)values.However,combining our drinking water ingestion data with exposure via other pathways revealed overall exposure to 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP)and TCIPP to approach health-based limit values for UK toddlers under a high-end exposure scenario.
文摘Concentrations of 6 organophosphate esters(OPEs)were determined in 60 indoor(ID)and outdoor(OD)dust samples collected from 20 homes from Basrah,Iraq.From each home,two ID samples were collected,one from elevated surfaces(ESD)and one from the floor(FD)of the living room;while the OD samples were collected from the front yard of the same house.Total S6OPEs concentrations in dust samples ranged between 681 and 17900 ng/g with median concentrations of 5950,3590 and 1550 ng/g in ESD,FD and OD samples,respectively.Chlorinated OPEs were the most abundant compounds,contributing mean percentages of 88%,85%and 78%toΣ_(6)OPEs in ESD,FD and OD,respectively,with tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate(TCIPP)dominant.Concentrations of our target OPEs in ESD significantly exceeded those in FD(p<0.05)for tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(TCEP)and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate(TDCIPP).Ratios of median concentrations of OPEs in ID:OD ranged from 1.5 for tri-n-butyl phosphate(TNBP)to 8.0 for TCEP,indicating the significance of indoor sources.Concentrations of chlorinated OPEs in ID were moderately correlated(R=0.522-0.591,P<0.05)with those in OD samples,suggesting interchange of OPEs between the two environments.Concentrations of OPEs in OD from houses with a contiguous front yard car porch exceeded those in OD from houses without a car porch and were significantly higher(P<0.05)for TCEP,TCIPP and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP).Emissions from parked cars and the associated home are likely sources of OPEs in the OD area.Based on the concentrations reported here,the estimated daily intake(EDI)for the Iraqi population through house dust ingestion are all well below the relevant reference dose(RfD)values.
文摘The occurrence of 28 pharmaceuticals and personal care products(PPCPs)was investigated in 17 surface water samples(rivers,canals,and lagoons),12 groundwater samples(wells and boreholes,which can also be consumed for drinking)and 8 drinking water samples(bottles and sachets)during dry and rainy seasons in Lagos state,Nigeria.The most prevalent compound detected in all samples was amoxicillin(an antibiotic)at median concentrations of 1614,238 and 358 ng/L in surface water,ground water and drinking water,respectively.This is of concern due to potential impact on development of antibioticresistant microbial strains.Other frequently-detected compounds include acetaminophen,nicotine,ibuprofen,and codeine with detection frequencies of more than 70%.Investigation of seasonal variability revealed that glyburide,caffeine,naproxen and diclofenac concentrations were significantly(P<0.05)higher during the dry season(winter),while Nicotine and Codeine levels were higher during the rainy season(summer).The factors influencing such seasonal variability include:dilution by extensive rainfall,agricultural activity(for nicotine)and usage patterns of pharmaceuticals among the local community.Measured concentrations in drinking water samples were used to assess inadvertent human exposure to PPCPs in Nigerian adults.Results revealed average daily exposures of 81,14 and 3 ngƩPPCPs/kg BW/day via drinking borehole,sachet water and bottled water,respectively.While there exists no health-based limit value(HBLV)for chronic exposure to mixtures of PPCPs,our results raise concern and warrant further investigation of the potential health implications of such unintended PPCPs exposure.
基金Misbah Alghamdi from the Department of Laboratory Medicine,Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences,Umm al-Qura University,Mecca,Saudi Arabia.Scholarship decision reference 4001065578.
文摘This study reviews current knowledge about the presence of brominated and chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants(BFRs and Cl-OPFRs)in plastic consumer articles,with particular reference to the potential as a result of recycling,for such chemicals to unintentionally contaminate articles in which flame retardants are not required.To minimize such unintentional contamination,jurisdictions such as the EU(European Union)have introduced limits on concentrations of some BFRs in waste plastics,with articles exceeding such limits prevented from being recycled.Substantial technical and economic constraints associated with the conventional methods for determining compliance with such limit values exist,leading to less specific,but simpler,more rapid,and less expensive methods such as portable X-ray fluorescence(XRF)spectrometry being identified as possible alternatives.This paper thus examines the evidence that XRF offers a viable method for checking compliance with existing and possible future limits on BFRs and Cl-OPFRs in waste plastics and identifies future research priorities.
文摘Concentrations of a number of organophosphate flame retardants(PFRs)were measured in floor dust collected from living rooms in Australia(n=42),Canada(n=14),Germany(n=22),and Kazakhstan(n=9);cars from Australia(n=39)and Germany(n=19);and offices from Germany(n=25)and Kazahkstan(n=8).PFR concentrations in these samples were compared with each other and with previously reported data for PFRs in dust from similar microenvironments in the UK.Our data reveal significant between-country differences in both absolute concentrations and the relative abundance of specific PFRs in each of the microenvironments studied.Most notably,concentrations of TCIPP in UK living room dust(median=21 μg g^-1)exceeded significantly(p<0.05)those in all other countries studied here;a substantial number of car dust samples contained elevated concentrations of TDCIPP,and German samples generally contained lower levels of PFRs in all microenvironments studied.In addition,PFRs were determined in dust samples collected from living room couches in both Australia(n=41)and the UK(n=10).The elevated concentrations of TCIPP in UK living room dust are likely attributable to the favoured use of this PFR in UK couch foam.This is indicated by concentrations of TCIPP in UK couch dust(median=610 μg g^-1)exceeding significantly those in Australian couch dust(median=2.9 μg g^-1).Moreover,concentrations of TCIPP in UK couch dust originating from couches 15 years old or less,display a marked relationship with the age of the couch,with concentrations in such samples increasing significantly(p<0.01)with couch age.
基金financial support and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research(MOHESR)for administrative support.
文摘Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)and selected novel brominated flame retardants(NBFRs)were measured in indoor dust from the living areas of 18 homes in Basrah,Iraq.This is the first report of contamination of the Iraqi environment with these chemicals.To evaluate the implications for human exposure,samples were collected from both the floor and from elevated surfaces like tables,shelves and chairs.When normalised for the organic carbon content of the dust sample,concentrations in elevated surface dust of BDE-99,BDE-209,pentabromoethylbenzene(PBEB),bis(2-ethylhexyl)3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate(BEH-TEBP),and decabromodiphenylethane(DBDPE)exceeded significantly(p<0.05)those in floor dust from the same rooms.This suggests that previous studies that base estimates of adult exposure via dust ingestion on floor dust,may underestimate exposure.Such underestimation is less likely for toddlers who are far more likely to ingest floor dust.Concentrations of PBDEs and NBFRs in indoor dust from Basrah,Iraq are at the lower end of levels reported elsewhere.The PBDE contamination pattern in our samples suggests that use in Iraq of the Deca-BDE formulation,exceeds substantially that of Penta-BDE,but that use of the Octa-BDE formulation has been higher in Iraq than in some other regions.Reassuringly,our estimates of exposure to our target BFRs via dust ingestion for the Iraqi population fall well below the relevant health-based limit values.
文摘Concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane isomers(α-,β-and γ-HBCDs)and tetrabromobisphenol-A(TBBP-A)were measured-for the first time-in indoor dust from homes,offices and cars from France,Kazakhstan and Nigeria.∑HBCDs in French and Kazakhstani house dust(median=1351 and 280 ng g^-1,respectively)were consistent with previous reports from the UK and Romania,respectively.Concentrations of ∑HBCDs in Nigerian domestic dust(median=394 ng g^-1)were substantially higher than those reported from Egyptian homes.In general,concentrations of ∑HBCDs in the studied microenvironments were higher than those of TBBP-A,which may be attributed to the major application of TBBP-A as a reactive flame retardant;rendering its release to dust more difficult.Statistical analysis revealed significantly lower ∑HBCDs in French houses than those found in both offices and cars,while ∑HBCDs in cars from Kazakhstan were higher(P<0.05)than those in homes and offices.Moreover,TBBP-A concentrations in car dust from Nigeria were lower than those found in homes and offices.Exposure estimates revealed higher intake of HBCDs and TBBP-A by toddlers via indoor dust ingestion compared to adults.Combined with their low body weight,this can raise concerns over the potential adverse health effects of such high exposure in toddlers.
基金the UK government via a Commonwealth Scholarship split-site scholarship(NGCN-2019-46).
文摘While many African countries are signatories of the United Nations’Environment Programme(UNEP)Stockholm Convention aimed at eradication or reduction of persistent organic pollutants(POPs)in the environment,many such countries have limited financial and technical capacities to either combat the effects of POPs or effect their removal from the environment.Amongst those chemicals listed as POPs under the Stockholm Convention are polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs),polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD).Also of concern are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAH),which are listed under the UN Economic Commission for Europe(UN-ECE)’s protocol on long range transboundary air pollution(LRTAP).This review examines the state of knowledge pertaining to concentration levels and trends of these contaminants in air(both indoor and outdoor)and indoor dust in Africa.Despite there being no known manufacture of PBDEs or HBCDD in Africa,concentrations in air of these contaminants in Africa are comparable to those in continents where the chemicals were initially produced and known to be widely used.Insufficient data were available to discern any temporal trend in concentrations of the target contaminants.However,the evidence highlights sources of PCBs,PBDEs,and HBCDD in Africa to include obsolete electrical and electronic equipment and informal handling and treatment of electronic waste.Elevated concentrations of PAHs in air and in indoor dust are evident.Concentrations of PAHs in indoor dust can be significantly influenced by outdoor sources,particularly vehicular emissions leading to higher concentrations in urban settings.With the current and projected increase in African urbanisation and demand for consumer goods,there is substantial potential for concentrations of PBDEs,HBCDD,PCBs,and PAHs to rise in the near future.There is therefore a need for long-term monitoring of concentrations of these chemicals in air and indoor dust at a range of locations across the African continent.This should be designed to assess spatial trends and human exposure via inhalation and incidental dust ingestion,as well as facilitating elucidation of temporal trends of POPs in Africa and evaluation of the impacts of measures to reduce concentrations.
基金Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D.Program(RGJ-Ph.D.Program)scholarship of Thailand Research Fund(PHD/0129/2559)to carry out this work.
文摘Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD),tetrabromobisphenol-A(TBBPA)and two potential replacements decabromodiphenylethane(DBDPE)and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane(BTBPE)were measured in dust samples collected from 14 homes across Birmingham(UK).Concentrations were compared with those from the same city in previous studies to ascertain any temporal changes and to assess the effects of legislative restrictions.The average PHBCDDs concentration(46,000 ng/g;median=280 ng/g)included the highest dust concentration recorded globally(570,000 ng/g).This is despite the listing of HBCDD under the Stockholm Convention in 2013,demonstrating that decreases in indoor contamination will likely be slow as existing sources are gradually discarded.In contrast,concentrations of BDE-47(mean=5.7 ng/g;median=0.93 ng/g)and BDE-99(mean=11 ng/g;median=2.9 ng/g)were significantly lower than in all previous(p<0.01)studies in the same city since 2006,suggesting restrictions on the Penta-BDE formulation have been effective.The average BDE-209 concentration(4800 ng/g;median=1600 ng/g)is lower than the peak average concentration,which was observed in 2007(280,000 ng/g),however this is not a significant decline,probably due to the later imposition of Deca-BDE restrictions compared to those on Penta-BDE.Decreases in PBDE concentrations have coincided with a significant(p<0.01)increase in DBDPE concentrations(average=1500 ng/g;median=660 ng/g)since 2014,suggesting its use as a replacement flame retardant for Deca-BDE.While no significant change was detected for BTBPE(average 11 ng/g;median=0.84 ng/g in this study);concentrations of TBBPA(average=34 ng/g;median=35 ng/g)were significantly lower(p<0.05)than in 2007(average 62 ng/g).The decreases observed in PBDE concentrations,demonstrates that legislation has been effective in reducing the commercial use of PBDEs,however this has coincided with increases of alternative flame retardants such as DBDPE.
基金The authors acknowledge gratefully the provision of an Open Competition CASE studentship award to WAS by the UK Natural Environment Research Council(NERC ref NE/I018352/1).Additional financial support to WAS from Ricardo-AEA is also acknowledged gratefully.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme(FP7/2007e2013)under grant agreement 295138(INTERFLAME).
文摘A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to study emissions of hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)into aqueous leaching fluid under simulated landfill conditions.Expanded(EPS)and extruded(XPS)polystyrene building insulation foam samples containing HBCDD were contacted with deionised Milli-Q water containing 0,100 and 1000 mg L1 dissolved humic matter(DHM)as leaching fluid.Concentrations of HBCDD were determined in the resulting fluid and single and serial batch experiments conducted.The impacts on HBCDD concentrations in the leaching fluid temperature and pH were examined.Data from these experiments show that HBCDD concentrations in leaching fluid following contact with EPS and XPS almost all exceeded the aqueous solubilities for each diastereomer and the technical HBCDD formula.This indicates that agitation and abrasion of EPS and XPS were significant mechanisms of HBCDD emission to leaching fluid.Specifically,under such conditions,HBCDD is likely associated with fine abraded particles of the foam and concentrations in the leaching fluid are therefore not limited by the aqueous solubility of HBCDD.Consistent with this,the length of contact time had a significant positive effect on concentrations of all diastereomers in the leaching fluid for XPS and for the least soluble diastereomer,g-HBCDD for EPS.Generally,the presence of DHM in the leaching fluid and elevated leaching fluid temperatures had significant positive effects on HBCDD concentrations in leaching fluid for both EPS and XPS.Overall,while leaching fluids of pH 8.5 significantly enhanced concentrations of a-HBCDD released from EPS,pH exerts a minor effect on concentrations of HBCDD in leaching fluid.
基金The authors acknowledge gratefully the provision of an Open Competition CASE studentship award to WAS by the UK Natural Environment Research Council(NERC ref.NE/I018352/1).Additional financial support to WAS from Ricardo-AEA is also acknowledged gratefully.The research leading to these results has received funding from DEFRA.
文摘The Furniture and Furnishings(Fire Safety)Regulations 1988 is the major driver for the use of chemical flame retardants(FRs)in soft furnishings marketed in the UK.While these regulations specify the level of flame retardancy required,they do not specify how such levels should be achieved.Consequently,it remains unclear which FRs are present in UK soft furnishings.This is important not only to help assess what FRs we may be exposed to currently,but which FRs are currently entering the waste stream with concomitant potential for release into the environment.To address this data gap,concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs),hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)and a range of chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants(OPFRs)were measured in samples of domestic and office waste soft furnishings products entering the UK waste stream in 2011 and 2012.This preliminary study measured the FR content of:carpets(n?4),curtains(n?7),mattress fabrics(n?2),furniture foam(n?9),and furniture upholstery textiles(n?10).Polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs)and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)were not found at significant concentrations(below detection limits in most samples)in any of the twenty two analysed products.In contrast,7 of the 9 furniture foam samples were treated with tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate(TCIPP)at a mean concentration of 1.9%w/w,with another single foam sample containing tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)phosphate(TDCIPP)and tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(TCEP)at 1.1 and 0.5%respectively.By comparison,PBDE concentrations are within the range reported previously for UK indoor dust[18],rather than the percent by weight levels required to impart flame retardancy.
基金This project(FUEL,reference 2016-HW-MS-8)is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2014-2020The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Communications,Climate Action and Environment.
文摘A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the leaching of decabromodiphenyl ether(BDE-209)and hexabromocyclododecane(HBCDD)from a mix of three fabrics.Consistent with previous reports that such leaching is governed by second order kinetics,concentrations in leachate were markedly higher in the first 24 h of leaching,and diminished by an order of magnitude after 1 week.The influence of the waste:leachate ratio was examined for the first time,with leaching of both BDE-209 and HBCDD significantly greater(p<0.05)at a waste:leachate ratio of 0.005 g/mL than at 0.05 g/mL.Using dissolved humic matter(DHM)solutions as proxy for simulating organic landfill leachates we found that leaching of both BDE-209 and HBCDD was also significantly greater at a DHM concentration of 1,000 mg/L in leachate compared to that observed at DHM values of 100 and 0 mg/L.Agitation of waste:leachate mixtures significantly enhanced leaching.While leaching of HBCDD decreased significantly as leachate pH increased from 5.8,through 6.5,to 8.5;no significant impact of pH on leaching of BDE-209 was detected.Concentrations in leachate of both BDE-209 and HBCDD decreased significantly on increasing leachate temperature from 20℃to 60℃and 80℃.This is considered most likely due to volatilisation of these contaminants into the headspace of the leaching vessel at higher temperatures.
基金funded by the European Commission,Seventh Framework Programme under the EU Marie Curie Initial Training Network INFLAME(GA No.264600)Funding for the participation of Ulla Sellströom,William Stubbings,Congqiao Yang,and Sandra Brommer in this study came from European Union Seventh Framework Programme International Research Staff Exchange Scheme INTERFLAME(GA No.295138).
文摘One active and two passive air sampling configurations were deployed simultaneously in three offices in Beijing,China to test their comparability for sampling emerging and legacy halogenated flame retardants spanning a large range of octanoleair partition coefficients(KOA).Sampling in each office was carried out for three consecutive 28-day periods in the spring-summer of 2013.The active sampler was run for 2.5 h at different times every day for 28 days to parallel the passive samplers and sample a total volume comparable to that sampled by the passive samplers(~20 m^3).At the end of each 28-day sampling period,a separate active air sample was taken by running the sampler pump continuously for about 2.5 days.The comparability of measured concentrations varied between the air sampling configurations and for different compounds.The predominant compound measured in nearly all samples was BDE-209,a compound known to have heavy use in China.Several emerging flame retardants were also detected including DBE-DBCH,PBT,HBB,DDC-CO,and DBDPE.Very little of the tetra-hexabrominated BDEs associated with the technical PentaBDE product was observed.
基金The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 for research,technological development and demonstration under grant agreement n°316665(A-TEAM project)the Research Council of Norway for financial support(project number:236502).
文摘Human exposure to consumer chemicals has become a worldwide concern.In this work,a comprehensive sampling strategy is presented,to our knowledge being the first to study all relevant exposure pathways in a single cohort using multiple methods for assessment of exposure from each exposure pathway.The selected groups of chemicals to be studied are consumer chemicals whose production and use are currently in a state of transition and are;per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances(PFASs),traditional and“emerging”brominated flame retardants(BFRs and EBFRs),organophosphate esters(OPEs)and phthalate esters(PEs).Information about human exposure to these contaminants is needed due to existing data gaps on human exposure intakes from multiple exposure pathways and relationships between internal and external exposure.Indoor environment,food and biological samples were collected from 61 participants and their households in the Oslo area(Norway)on two consecutive days,during winter 2013-14.Air,dust,hand wipes,and duplicate diet(food and drink)samples were collected as indicators of external exposure,and blood,urine,blood spots,hair,nails and saliva as indicators of internal exposure.A food diary,food frequency questionnaire(FFQ)and indoor environment questionnaire were also implemented.Approximately 2000 samples were collected in total and participant views on their experiences of this campaign were collected via questionnaire.While 91%of our participants were positive about future participation in a similar project,some tasks were viewed as problematic.Completing the food diary and collection of duplicate food/drink portions were the tasksmost frequent reported as“hard”/“very hard”.Nevertheless,a strong positive correlation between the reported total mass of food/drinks in the food record and the total weight of the food/drinks in the collection bottles was observed,being an indication of accurate performance of the participants despite the challenges of the sampling campaign.
