Ahrens, Lutz
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- Environment Canada
Abstract
Concentrations of organobromine (BFRs), organochlorine (CFRs) and organophosphate esters flame retardants and plasticizers (PFRs) in air were monitored for over one year at an urban site in Toronto, Canada during 2010-2011. The mean value for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) (gas + particle phase) was 38 pg/m(3) with BDE-47 and BDE-99 as the dominant congeners. The mean concentrations in air for Sigma non-BDE (BFRs and CFRs), was 9.6 pg/m(3) about four times lower than the BDEs. The brominated FRs: TBP-AE, BTBPE, EH-TBB, BEH-TEBP and the chlorinated syn- and anti-DP were detected frequently, ranging from 87% to 96%. Highest concentrations in air among all flame retardant classes were observed for the Sigma-PFRs. The yearly mean concentration in air for EPFRs was 2643 pg/m(3) with detection frequency higher than 80%. Except for TBP-AE and b- DBE-DBCH, non-BDEs (BFRs, CFRs and PFRs) were mainly associated with the particle phase. BDE concentrations in air were positively correlated with temperature indicating that volatilization from local sources was an important factor controlling levels in air. This correlation did not hold for most BFRs, CFRs and PFRs which were mainly on particles. For these compounds, air concentrations in Toronto are likely related to emissions from point sources and advective inputs. This study highlights the importance of urban air monitoring for FRs. Urban air can be considered a sentinel for detecting changes in the use and application of FRs in commercial products. Crown Copyright (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Flame retardants; Air concentrations; Organobromine flame retardants; Organophosphate; NBERs; BFRs; OPERs
Published in
Atmospheric Environment
2014, volume: 99, pages: 140-147
Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
SLU Authors
Global goals (SDG)
SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities
UKÄ Subject classification
Analytical Chemistry
Environmental Sciences
Organic Chemistry
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.09.040
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/63607