title: Particle-size distribution and gas/particle partitioning of atmospheric polybrominated diphenyl ethers in urban areas of Greece.
abstract: Ambient concentrations, gas/particle partitioning and particle-size distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were investigated in two urban areas (Athens and Heraklion) of Greece. Atmospheric (gas+particle) concentrations of summation operatorPBDE varied from 21 to 30 pg m(-3) in the center of Athens and from 4 to 44 pg m(-3) in the suburbs of Heraklion. A predominance of particulate PBDEs was observed in Athens (71-76% in particles), whereas the opposite was evident in Heraklion (69-92% in gas phase). In both urban areas, PBDE particle-size distribution featured a distinct enrichment in smaller particles. A similar trend was also observed in aerosols of a background marine site. For all sampling sites, more than 46% of summation operatorPBDE was associated with particles of <0.57 microm in diameter. Our results imply that particulate PBDEs may have long atmospheric residence time and they may be capable of reaching the deeper parts of the human respiratory system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Environmental Chemical Processes Laboratory, University of Crete, Heraklion-Voutes, Greece.
authors.forename: Manolis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandalakis
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Besis
authors.forename: Euripides G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Stephanou
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D006115:Greece; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D005740:Gases; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D007220:Industrial Waste; D052638:Particulate Matter