Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and alternative flame retardants in surface soils and river sediments from an electronic waste-processing area in northern Vietnam, 2012–2014. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matsukami, Hidenori; Suzuki, Go; Someya, Masayuki; Uchida, Natsuyo; Tue, Nguyen Minh; Tuyen, Le Huu; Viet, Pham Hung; Takahashi, Shin; Tanabe, Shinsuke; Takigami, Hidetaka
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 167(2017)
• Page Start: 291
• Page End: 299
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: Electronic waste processing -- PBDEs -- Alternative flame retardants -- Surface soil -- River sediment -- Vietnam; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.09.147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: We investigated the concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative flame retardants (FRs) in environmental samples collected in January 2012, 2013, and 2014 from an electronic waste-processing area in northern Vietnam. During the study period, PBDE and alternative FR concentrations in soils around the electronic waste-processing workshops ranged from 37 to 9200 ng g −1 dry weight (dw) and from 35 to 24, 000 ng g −1 dw; the concentrations in soils around the open-burning sites ranged from 1.6 to 62 ng g −1 dw and from <4 to 1900 ng g −1 dw; and the concentrations in river sediments around the workshops ranged from 100 to 3800 ng g −1 dw and from 23 to 6800 ng g −1 dw, respectively. Over the course of study period, we observed significant decreases in concentrations of PBDEs and significant increases in concentrations of alternative FRs, particularly Dechlorane Plus isomers and oligomeric organophosphorus FRs ( o -PFRs) in both soils and sediments around the workshops. We also report information on concentrations and environmental emissions of o -PFRs and their low-molecular-weight impurities in the same soils and sediments. The detection of o -PFR impurities around the workshops and the open-burning sites highlights an enhanced breakdown of o -PFRs probably due to weathering during open storage and high temperature attained during the burning of electronic wastes. Highlights: PBDE and alternative FR concentrations were determined in the environment for 3 years. Contamination by PBDEs remains high in the study area. Concentration of DPs and oligomeric PFRs increased during the study period. Contaminating constituents might have changed owing to the international regulations.