Hexabromocyclododecanes and tetrabromobisphenol-A in indoor air and dust in Birmingham, U.K: implications for human exposure.
Hexabromocyclododecanes (alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HBCDs) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) were determined in indoor air from homes (n=33; median concentrations sigma HBCDs = 180 pg m(-3); TBBP-A = 15 pg m(-3)), offices (n=25; 170; 11), public microenvironments (n=4; 900; 27) and outdoor air (n=5; 37; 1). HBCDs and TBBP-A were also determined in dust from homes (n=45; median concentrations sigma HBCDs = 1300 ng g(-1); TBBP-A = 62 ng g(-1)), offices (n=28; 760; 36), cars (n=20; 13,000; 2), and public microenvironments (n=4; 2700; 230). While sigma HBCDs in car dust significantly exceeded (p < 0.05) those in homes and offices, TBBP-A in car dust was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that in homes and offices. No significant differences were observed between sigma HBCDs and TBBP-A in air or dust from homes and offices. Compared to dietary and inhalation exposures, dust ingestion constitutes an important pathway of exposure to HBCDs and TBBP-A for the UK population. Specifically, using average dust ingestion rates and concentrations in dust, dust ingestion constitutes for adults 34% (TBBP-A) and 24% (HBCDs) of overall exposure, and for toddlers 90% (TBBP-A) and 63% (HBCDs). Inhalation appears a minor exposure pathway to both HBCDs and TBBP-A. On average, dust is 33% alpha-, 11% beta-, and 56% gamma-HBCD, while air is 22% alpha-, 11% beta-, and 65% gamma-HBCD.
Division of Environmental Health and Risk Management, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom. maa684@bham.ac.uk
Mohamed Abou-Elwafa
MA
Abdallah
Stuart
S
Harrad
Adrian
A
Covaci
D000328:Adult; D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D007223:Infant; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D006113:United Kingdom
D004391:Dust; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane; C020806:tetrabromobisphenol A