Distribution and source of and health risks associated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers in dust generated by public transportation. (15th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jin, Mantong; Zhang, Shunfei; Ye, Nanxi; Zhou, Shanshan; Xu, Ziyu
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 309(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-15
• Subjects: Polybrominated diphenyl ether -- Bus microenvironment -- Human exposure -- Dust -- Source apportionment; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119700
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Carcinogenic and neurotoxic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are environmentally ubiquitous and have been widely investigated. However, little is understood regarding their pollution status, sources, and potential risk to persons in public transportation microenvironments (PTMs). We collected 60 dust samples from PTMs and then selected four materials typical of bus interiors to determine the sources of PBDEs in dust using principal component analysis coupled with Mantel tests. We then evaluated the risk of PBDEs to public health using Monte Carlo simulations. We found that PBDE concentrations in dust were 2-fold higher in buses than at bus stops and that brominated diphenyl ether (BDE)-209 was the main pollutant. The number of buses that passed through a bust stop contributed to the extent of PBDE pollution, and the primary potential sources of PBDEs in dust were plastic handles and curtains inside buses; BDE-209 and BDE-154 were the main contributors of pollution. We found that health risk was 8-fold higher in toddlers than in adults and that the reference doses of PBDEs in dust were far below the United States Environmental Protection Agency limits. Our findings provide a scientific basis that may aid in preventing PBDE pollution and guiding related pollution management strategies in PTMs. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: The concentration of PBDEs in bus dust was twice as high as in bus stops. Internal materials contributed to PBDEs in bus dust. Bus may constitute significant flame-retardant emission sources. NCR and CR of PBDEs in public transportation microenvironmental dust were at acceptable levels.