Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140874
Document author version
Title (Primary) Legacy and emerging flame retardants (FRs) in the urban atmosphere of Pakistan: Diurnal variations, gas-particle partitioning and human health exposure
Author Syed, J.H.; Iqbal, M.; Breivik, K.; Chaudhry, M.J.I.; Shahnawaz, M.; Abbas, Z.; Nasir, J.; Rizvi, S.H.H.; Taqi, M.M.; Li, J.; Zhang, G.
Source Titel Science of the Total Environment
Year 2020
Department OEC
Volume 743
Page From art. 140874
Language englisch
Keywords Flame retardants (FRs); Urban atmosphere; Diurnal variations; Gas-particle partitioning; Human exposure
Abstract Atmospheric concentration of legacy (LFRs) and emerging flame retardants (EFRs) including 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 6 novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), 2 dechlorane plus isomers (DP), and 8 chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were consecutively measured in eight major cities across Pakistan. A total of 96 samples (48 PM2.5 & 48 PUFs) were analyzed and the concentrations of ∑8PBDEs (gaseous+particulate) ranged between 40.8 and 288 pg/m3 with an average value of 172 pg/m3. ∑6NBFRs ranged between 12.0 and 35.0 pg/m3 with an average value of 22.5 pg/m3 while ∑8OPFRs ranged between 12,900–40,800 pg/m3 with an average of 24,700 pg/m3. Among the studied sites, Faisalabad city exhibited the higher concentrations of FRs among all cities which might be a consequence of textile mills and garment manufacturing industries. While analyzing the diurnal patterns, OPFRs depicted higher concentrations during night-time. The estimated risks of all groups of FRs from inhalation of ambient air were negligible for all the cities, according to USEPA guidelines. Nonetheless, our study is the first to report gaseous and particulate concentrations of FRs in air on a diurnal basis across major cities in Pakistan, offering insights into the atmospheric fate of these substances in urban areas in a sub-tropical region.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=23467
Syed, J.H., Iqbal, M., Breivik, K., Chaudhry, M.J.I., Shahnawaz, M., Abbas, Z., Nasir, J., Rizvi, S.H.H., Taqi, M.M., Li, J., Zhang, G. (2020):
Legacy and emerging flame retardants (FRs) in the urban atmosphere of Pakistan: Diurnal variations, gas-particle partitioning and human health exposure
Sci. Total Environ. 743 , art. 140874 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140874