Leaching characteristics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from flame-retardant plastics.
To investigate the effect of leachant on the leachability of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), we determined the leaching concentrations of PBDEs from flame-retardant plastic samples (TV housings and raw materials before molding processing) that are regarded as a source of PBDEs in landfill sites. The leachants used were distilled water, 20% methanol solution, and dissolved humic solution (DHS) of 1000 mg/l based on organic carbon. The leaching test conditions were a liquid-to-solid ratio of 100:1, and a contact period of five days, with twice-daily agitation in a temperature-controlled room of 30 degrees C without pH or ionic strength control. The leaching concentrations of PBDEs increased with increased content, and were found to be remarkably enhanced when methanol and DHS were used instead of distilled water. The enhancement of leachability in the presence of the latter was attributed to the cosolvency effect, and complex formations between the PBDEs and dissolved humic matter (DHM). PBDE concentrations in the leachate obtained from the leaching test and an actual landfill site revealed a significant presence of congeners below heptabromodiphenyl ethers (H7BDEs), detected in the leachate of the actual landfill, while significant amounts of nonabromodiphenyl ethers (N9BDEs) and decabromodiphenyl ether (D10BDE) were detected in the leachate of the leaching test.
Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, Division of Ocean System Engineering, Mokpo National Maritime University, 571-2 Chukkyo-dong, Mokpo, Jeonnam 530-729, Republic of Korea. yjkim@mmu.ac.kr
Yong-Jin
YJ
Kim
Masahiro
M
Osako
Shin-ichi
S
Sakai
D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D012995:Solubility; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D005411:Flame Retardants; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D010969:Plastics; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D012997:Solvents