Polyurethane foam-based passive air sampling for simultaneous determination of POP- and PAH-related compounds: A case study in informal waste processing and urban areas, northern Vietnam. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anh, Hoang Quoc; Watanabe, Isao; Tue, Nguyen Minh; Tuyen, Le Huu; Viet, Pham Hung; Chi, Ngo Kim; Minh, Tu Binh; Takahashi, Shin
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 247(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: PUF–PAS -- PCBs -- PBDEs -- PAHs -- Informal waste processing -- Urbanization; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), and unsubstituted/methylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs/Me-PAHs) were simultaneously monitored in the air samples collected from Vietnamese urban and vehicular waste processing areas by using polyurethane foam-based passive air sampling (PUF–PAS) method. Concentrations (pg m −3 ) of organic pollutants decreased in the order: PAHs (median 29, 000; range 5100–100, 000) > Me-PAHs (6000; 1000–33, 000) > PCBs (480; 170–1100) > PBDEs (11; 5.3–86) > NBFRs (0.20; n. d. – 51) > BB-153 (n.d.). The difference in total PCB and PBDE concentrations between the urban and waste processing air samples was not statistically significant. Meanwhile, levels of PAHs, Me-PAHs, benzo [ a ]pyrene equivalents (BaP-EQs), and toxic equivalents of dioxin-like PCBs (WHO-TEQs) were much higher in the waste processing sites. This is the first report on the abundance of mono- and di-CBs (notably CB-11) in the air from a developing country, suggesting their roles as emerging and ubiquitous air pollutants. Our results have indicated potential sources of specific organic pollutants such as dioxin-like PCBs, PAHs, and Me-PAHs from improper treatment of end-of-life vehicles and other vehicle related materials (e.g., waste oils and rubber tires), as well as current emission of PCBs and PBDEs in the urban area in Vietnam. Further atmospheric monitoring studies should be conducted in this developing country that cover both legacy and emerging contaminants with a focus on areas affected by rapid urbanization and informal waste processing activities. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: PCBs, BFRs, and PAHs were comprehensively monitored in Vietnamese air samples. Concentrations of pollutants decreased: PAHs > Me-PAHs > PCBs > PBDEs > NBFRs. The abundance of mono- and di-CBs (notably CB-11) was found in Vietnamese air. BaP-EQs and WHO-TEQs were higher in waste processing sites than urban sites.