A first European scale multimedia fate modelling of BDE-209 from 1970 to 2020. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Earnshaw, Mark R.; Jones, Kevin C.; Sweetman, Andy J.
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 74(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 71
• Page End: 81
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: ADV aerosol deposition velocity -- DecaBDE decabromodiphenyl ether -- E&E electronic and electrical -- EBFRIP European brominated flame retardant industry panel -- ECHA European Chemicals Agency -- EVn-BETR European Variant Berkeley Trent -- LRAT long range atmospheric transport -- MEC measured environmental concentration -- PBDE polybromodiphenyl ether -- PEC predicted environmental concentration -- POP persistent organic pollutant -- RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC -- RSR rain scavenging ratio -- SFA substance flow analysis -- SVHC Substance of Very High Concern -- VECAP voluntary emissions control action programme -- WWTP wastewater treatment plant; Brominated flame retardant -- Polybromodiphenyl ether -- Decabromodiphenyl ether -- BDE-209 -- EVn-BETR -- Multimedia modelling; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.09.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: The European Variant Berkeley Trent (EVn-BETR) multimedia fugacity model is used to test the validity of previously derived emission estimates and predict environmental concentrations of the main decabromodiphenyl ether congener, BDE-209. The results are presented here and compared with measured environmental data from the literature. Future multimedia concentration trends are predicted using three emission scenarios (Low, Realistic and High) in the dynamic unsteady state mode covering the period 1970–2020. The spatial and temporal distributions of emissions are evaluated. It is predicted that BDE-209 atmospheric concentrations peaked in 2004 and will decline to negligible levels by 2025. Freshwater concentrations should have peaked in 2011, one year after the emissions peak with sediment concentrations peaking in 2013. Predicted atmospheric concentrations are in good agreement with measured data for the Realistic (best estimate of emissions) and High (worst case scenario) emission scenarios. The Low emission scenario consistently underestimates measured data. The German unilateral ban on the use of DecaBDE in the textile industry is simulated in an additional scenario, the effects of which are mainly observed within Germany with only a small effect on the surrounding areas. Overall, the EVn-BTER model predicts atmospheric concentrations reasonably well, within a factor of 5 and 1.2 for the Realistic and High emission scenarios respectively, providing partial validation for the original emission estimate. Total mean MEC:PEC shows the High emission scenario predicts the best fit between air, freshwater and sediment data. An alternative spatial distribution of emissions is tested, based on higher consumption in EBFRIP member states, resulting in improved agreement between MECs and PECs in comparison with the Uniform spatial distribution based on population density. Despite good agreement between modelled and measured point data, more long-term monitoring datasets are needed to compare predicted trends in concentration to determine the rate of change of POPs within the environment. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Historical and future BDE-209 concentrations are predicted using the EVn-BTER model. Several temporal and spatial emission scenarios are tested in unsteady state mode. Atmospheric BDE-209 predicted concentrations peak in 2004. Modelled and measured concentrations agree reasonably well. Agreement is improved by using an alternative spatial emission distribution.