Characterization of polyurethane foam (PUF) and sorbent impregnated PUF (SIP) disk passive air samplers for measuring organophosphate flame retardants. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abdollahi, Atousa; Eng, Anita; Jantunen, Liisa M.; Ahrens, Lutz; Shoeib, Mahiba; Parnis, J. Mark; Harner, Tom
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 167(2017)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 219
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Organophosphate esters -- PUF disk -- SIP disk -- COSMO-RS; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to characterize the uptake of organophosphate esters (OPEs) by polyurethane foam (PUF) and sorbent-impregnated polyurethane foam (SIP) disk passive air samplers (PAS). Atmospheric OPE concentrations were monitored with high-volume active air samplers (HV-AAS) that were co-deployed with passive air samplers. Samples were analyzed for tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tri(phenyl) phosphate (TPhP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and tris(2, 3-dichloropropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP). The mean concentration of ∑OPEs in air was 2650 pg/m 3 for the HV-AAS. Sampling rates and the passive sampler medium (PSM)-air partition coefficient ( K PSM−Air ) were calculated for individual OPEs. The average calculated sampling rates (R) for the four OPEs were 3.6 ± 1.2 and 4.2 ± 2.0 m 3 /day for the PUF and SIP disks, respectively, and within the range of the recommended default value of 4 ± 2 m 3 /day. Since most of the OPEs remained in the linear uptake phase during the study, COSMO-RS solvation theory and an oligomer-based model were used to estimate K PUF-Air for the OPEs. The estimated values of log K PUF-Air were 7.45 (TCIPP), 9.35 (TPhP), 8.44 (TCEP), and 9.67 (TDCIPP). Finally, four configurations of the PUF and SIP disks were tested by adjusting the distance of the gap opening between the upper and lower domes of the sampler housing: i.e. 2 cm, 1 cm, no gap and 1 cm overlap. The sampling rate did not differ significantly between these four configurations (p < 0.05). Highlights: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are measured in urban air. PUF disk and SIP disk samplers are calibrated for OPEs. Sampling rates (R) for PUF and SIP disks are close to default value of 4 m 3 /day. COSMO-RS solvation theory was used to estimate K PUF-Air for the OPEs.