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Tang J, Ma S, Hu X, Lin M, Li G, Yu Y, An T. Handwipes as indicators to assess organophosphate flame retardants exposure and thyroid hormone effects in e-waste dismantlers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130248. [PMID: 36327841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dermal exposure is increasingly recognized as an important pathway for organic pollutant exposure. However, data on dermal exposure are limited, particularly with respect to the health effects. This study evaluated association between organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in handwipes and internal body burden on workers and adult residents in an electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area. The impact of dermal exposure to OPFRs on thyroid hormones (THs) served as a biomarker for early effects. Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) was the most detected compound in handwipes, with median levels of 1180, 200, and 24.0 ng in people identified as e-waste bakers, e-waste dismantlers, and adult residents. Among e-waste dismantlers, TPhP levels in handwipes were positively correlated with paired serum TPhP and urinary diphenyl phosphate (DPhP) levels. In multiple linear regression models controlling for sex, age and smoking, TPhP levels in handwipes of e-waste dismantlers were significantly negatively correlated with three THs used to evaluate thyroid function: serum reverse 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (rT3), 3,3'-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,3'-T2), and 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (3,5-T2). These findings suggest that handwipes can act as non-invasive exposure indicators to assess body burden of dermal exposure to TPhP and health effects on THs of e-waste dismantlers. This study highlights importance of OPFR effect on human THs through dermal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xin Hu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Meiqing Lin
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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Zhao C, Li JFT, Li XH, Dong MQ, Li YY, Qin ZF. Measurement of polychlorinated biphenyls with hand wipes and matched serum collected from Chinese E-waste dismantling workers: Exposure estimates and implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 799:149444. [PMID: 34365263 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To date, dermal/hand-to-mouth exposure to chemicals in the e-waste recycling environment has not been sufficiently understood, and the importance of dermal absorption of chemicals in e-waste dismantling workers remains controversial. In this study, we utilized hand wipes and matched sera to characterize dermal/hand-to-mouth exposure to PCBs for e-waste dismantling workers, and potential effects on thyroid hormones were also assessed. PCB loadings in hand wipes varied from 0.829-265 ng wipe-1 (11.3-2850 ng m-2 wipe-1), with 37.2 ng wipe-1 (432 ng m-2 wipe-1) as the median value. Serum concentrations of PCBs ranged from 32.3-3410 ng g-1 lipid weight (lw) with 364 ng g-1 lw as the median value. Between wipes and sera, lower-chlorinated congeners (e.g. CB-28, -66, -74, -99,-105 and -118) showed significant associations (p < 0.01), but higher-chlorinated congeners (e.g. CB-138, -153, -156, -170, and -180) did not. These lower-chlorinated CBs were the major contributors to estimated dermal/hand-to-mouth average daily doses (ADDs) and the hazard index (HI). Correspondingly, their estimated contributions to serum levels by dermal absorption were also significant, with the contribution of CB-28 being as high as 21.4%. As a consequence, dermal absorption of some low-chlorinated congeners was a non-negligible route for e-waste dismantling workers. Although insignificant association was shown between serum PCBs and thyroid hormones, the potential health risk should be of concern due to the high levels of PCBs observed in workers' sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 2871, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, PR China; College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, PR China
| | - Ji-Fang-Tong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 2871, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Xing-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 2871, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China.
| | - Meng-Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 2871, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 2871, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Zhan-Fen Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, PO Box 2871, 18 Shuangqing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, PR China
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Tang J, Lin M, Ma S, Yang Y, Li G, Yu Y, Fan R, An T. Identifying Dermal Uptake as a Significant Pathway for Human Exposure to Typical Semivolatile Organic Compounds in an E-Waste Dismantling Site: The Relationship of Contaminant Levels in Handwipes and Urine Metabolites. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:14026-14036. [PMID: 34596389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Dermal exposure to semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) has recently attracted widespread attention; understanding these exposures is particularly important for people whose skin is frequently exposed to different pollution surfaces. In this study, handwipes were collected from exposed occupational workers and local residents near a typical electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area; urine samples were also sampled. The wipes were analyzed for three typical SVOCs: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). The median levels of PAHs, OPFRs, and PBDEs in handwipes from e-waste dismantlers were 96.0, 183, and 238 ng, respectively. The analytes were higher in the handwipes collected from workers than those from residents, indicating that they were subjected to greater dermal exposure during primitive e-waste dismantling activities. Among the three SVOCs, the strongest correlation was found between triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) in handwipes and diphenyl phosphate (DPhP) in paired urine; the next strongest correlations were between PAHs and PBDEs and their corresponding urinary metabolites. The results showed that TPhP contributed the highest exposure to e-waste dismantlers via dermal exposure. Our research highlights the importance of dermal exposure to TPhP, which should be considered in future exposure risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Tang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Meiqing Lin
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Shengtao Ma
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Yan Yang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Synergy Innovation Institute of GDUT, Shantou 515041, P. R. China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yingxin Yu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ruifang Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, P. R. China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, Guangdong Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
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Wang S, Zhang J, Zhang S, Shi F, Feng D, Feng X. Exposure to Melamine cyanuric acid in adolescent mice caused emotional disorder and behavioral disorder. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 211:111938. [PMID: 33476844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.111938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Melamine cyanuric acid (MCA) is a flame retardant linked by hydrogen bonds between melamine and cyanuric acid. MCA is used in an excellent series of phosphorus and nitrogen flame retardants. MCA can harm the kidney, liver, testis, and spleen cells. However, the effects of MCA on the emotions and behaviour of adolescent mice have not yet been investigated. In this article, male mice were exposed to MCA at 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg for four weeks. MCA exposure resulted in enhanced mouse locomotor and nocturnal activity. We also observed anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours. Moreover, after MCA exposure, the serum concentrations of thyroid-related hormones were changed, and the mRNA levels were affected. In short, MCA exposure can cause behavioural and emotion disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jingwen Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shaozhi Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Feifei Shi
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Daofu Feng
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Tianjin 300052, China.
| | - Xizeng Feng
- The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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Ceballos DM, Côté D, Bakhiyi B, Flynn MA, Zayed J, Gravel S, Herrick RF, Labrèche F. Overlapping vulnerabilities in workers of the electronics recycling industry formal sector: A commentary. Am J Ind Med 2020; 63:955-962. [PMID: 32851678 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vulnerabilities in workers performing electronics recycling (e-recycling) in the informal sector worldwide have been well documented. However, the growing e-recycling industry in the formal sector still brings many challenges to protect the health of workers and their environment. This commentary aims to draw attention to the overlooked vulnerabilities faced by the workers of the e-recycling industry formal sector in high-income countries and discuss the potential impact on health inequalities experienced by these workers. Expanding the definition of vulnerability, not limited to the biological susceptibility to chemical and physical exposures, the demographic characteristics of workers in the e-recycling formal sector often reveal social groups known to be disadvantaged regarding occupational exposures and health effects, including young workers, immigrant or ethnic minorities, and workers with mental or physical health issues or disabilities. Overlapping structural vulnerabilities of the e-recycling industry stem from its newness, its working conditions, its conditions of employment, and the sociodemographic characteristics of its workforce. This phenomenon in high-income countries is not restricted to the e-recycling industry alone. It is rather a symptom of more generalized macro socioeconomical phenomena. The present challenges are in line with the new gig and green economies and changes in the global market, and their consequences on the solid waste sector. Continued efforts to strengthen the inclusion of social aspects of health into the complex interaction of the structural vulnerabilities met by e-recycling workers will be essential to anticipate and prevent health issues in this essential but still emerging workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Ceballos
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health Boston University Boston Massachusetts
| | - Daniel Côté
- Research and Expertise Division Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) Montréal Québec Canada
- Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Bouchra Bakhiyi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Michael A. Flynn
- Division of Science Integration National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Joseph Zayed
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Sabrina Gravel
- Research and Expertise Division Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) Montréal Québec Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
| | - Robert F. Herrick
- Department of Environmental Health Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston Massachusetts
| | - France Labrèche
- Research and Expertise Division Institut de recherche Robert‐Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) Montréal Québec Canada
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health Université de Montréal Montréal Québec Canada
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Lao JY, Wang SQ, Chen YQ, Bao LJ, Lam PKS, Zeng EY. Dermal exposure to particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from barbecue fume as impacted by physicochemical conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 260:114080. [PMID: 32041082 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of size-dependent particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been extensively studied, whereas dermal absorption has not been adequately investigated. To address this knowledge gap, dermal absorption of size-dependent particle-bound PAHs was characterized through the collection of indoor air and forearm wipe samples in the setting of an indoor barbecue. The mass of size-fractioned PAHs associated with particulate matter was greater in fine particles (<1.8 μm) than in coarse particles (>1.8 μm). Gas-particle distribution of specific PAHs from barbecue fume was ascribed to both adsorption and absorption which would probably be close to equilibrium, while that from background air was dominated by absorption. Forearm-deposited amounts of particulate PAHs suggested that removal of coarse and fine particles could minimize exposure to low and high molecular-weight (MW) PAHs, respectively. Besides, the concentrations of particulate PAHs in forearms wipe were significantly correlated to their dry deposition fluxes with coarse particles, but weakly correlated to those with fine particles. This indicated that particle size would influence dermal absorption efficiency of particle-bound PAHs with fine particles prolonging dermal exposure to PAHs. Overall, higher MW particle-bound PAHs derived from barbecue fume may pose higher risk to human health by dermal absorption than lower MW PAHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yong Lao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Si-Qi Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Yun-Qi Chen
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Lian-Jun Bao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Paul K S Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China.
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Estill CF, Slone J, Mayer A, Chen IC, La Guardia MJ. Worker exposure to flame retardants in manufacturing, construction and service industries. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 135:105349. [PMID: 31810010 PMCID: PMC6957722 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.105349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Workers in several industries are occupationally exposed to flame retardants. This study characterizes flame retardant exposure for nine industries through air and hand wipe measures for 105 workers. Specifically, we analyzed 24 analytes from three chemical classes: organophosphate flame retardants (OFRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and non-PBDE brominated flame retardants (NPBFRs). The industries were: carpet installation, chemical manufacturing, foam manufacturing, electronic scrap, gymnastics, rigid board installation, nail salons, roofing, and spray polyurethane foam. Workers wore personal air samplers for two entire workdays and provided hand wipe samples before and after the second work day. Bulk products were also analyzed. The air, hand wipe and bulk samples were evaluated for relevant flame retardants. Spray polyurethane foam workers' tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate air (geometric mean = 48,500 ng/m3) and hand wipe (geometric mean = 83,500 ng per sample) concentrations had the highest mean industry concentration of any flame retardant analyzed in this study, followed by triphenyl phosphate air concentration and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate hand wipe concentration from chemical manufacturers. Overall, OFR air and hand wipe concentrations were higher and more prevalent than PBDEs or non-PBDE brominated flame retardants. Some industries including spray polyurethane foam application, chemical manufacturing, foam manufacturing, nail salons, roofing, and rigid polyiso board installation had high potential for both air and hand exposure to OFRs. Carpet installers, electronic scrap workers, and gymnastic workers had exposures to all three classes of flame retardants including PBDEs, which were phased out of production in 2013. Air and dermal exposures to OFRs are prevalent in many industries and are replacing PBDEs in some industries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alexander Mayer
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), United States.
| | - I-Chen Chen
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), United States
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