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Wang Z, Qi A, Lv J, Zhang T, Xu P, Wang M, Xiao Y, Yang L, Ji Y, Wang W. Occurrence and seasonal variations of organophosphate flame retardants in air and dust from college microenvironments at Qingdao, China: Implications for student's exposure and risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 937:173182. [PMID: 38740192 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are widely used as alternatives to brominated flame retardants in a variety of consumer products and their consumption has continuously increased in recent years. However, their concentrations and human exposures in indoor microenvironments, particularly in a university environment, have received limited attention. In this study, the concentrations and seasonal variations of 15 OPFRs were assessed in typical microenvironments of two universities, including dormitories, offices, public microenvironments (PMEs: classroom, dining hall, gymnasium and library), and laboratories on the northern coast of China. Analysis of the OPFRs in both air and dust samples indicated widespread distribution in college campuses. The average concentration of ∑15OPFRs in the winter (12,774.4 ng/g and 5.3 ng/m3 for dust and air, respectively) was higher than in the summer (2460.4 ng/g and 4.6 ng/m3 for dust and air, respectively). The dust and air samples collected from PMEs and laboratories exhibited higher concentrations of OPFRs, followed by offices and dormitories. An equilibrium was reached between dust and air in all collected microenvironments. The daily intakes of OPFRs were significantly lower than the reference dose. Dust ingestion was the primary intake pathway in the winter, while inhalation and dust ingestion were the main intake pathways in the summer. The non-carcinogenic hazard quotients fell within the range of 10-7-10-3 in both the summer and winter, which are below the theoretical risk threshold. For the carcinogenic risk, the LCR values ranged from 10-10 to 10-8, indicating no elevated carcinogenic risk due to TnBP, TCEP, and TDCP in indoor dust and air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Wang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Anan Qi
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Jianhua Lv
- Qingdao Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Tianqi Zhang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Miao Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Lingxiao Yang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Climate Change, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China.
| | - Yaqin Ji
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Wenxing Wang
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
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Yu L, He X, Gao C, Li G, Wang Y, Wang Y. An emission model for inhalable chemicals from children's play mats based on partition coefficients. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1721:464855. [PMID: 38569298 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.464855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Inhalable chemicals found in children's play mats can be slowly released into indoor environments and consequently threaten human health. In this study, the partition coefficients of seven inhalable chemicals between play mats and air were calculated by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry based on the law of conservation of mass and the principle of equilibrium of headspace bottles. Furthermore, an emission source model for the residual ratio of the inhalable chemicals in play mats was established. Most substances found in play mats have large partition coefficients owing to the complex void structure of the mats, which adsorbs a large number of organic pollutants. The partition coefficient is not only related to the boiling point and environmental temperature, but also the specific material and the adsorption of the organic pollutant onto the material. The emission source model for children's play mats developed in this study can characterize the decay of the inhalable chemicals over time. The data showed that after eight days of placing the play mat in a ventilated environment, the residual ratio of seven inhalable chemicals did not exceed 15 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Yu
- Shandong Institute for Product Quality Inspection, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Xiangke He
- Shandong Institute for Product Quality Inspection, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Cuiling Gao
- Shandong Institute for Product Quality Inspection, Jinan 250102, China.
| | - Guixiao Li
- Shandong Institute for Product Quality Inspection, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Shandong Institute for Product Quality Inspection, Jinan 250102, China
| | - Yunbo Wang
- Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China
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Han X, Li W, Zhao Y, Zhuang Y, Jia Q, Guan H, Liu J, Wu C. Organophosphate Esters in Building Materials from China: Levels, Sources, Emissions, and Preliminary Assessment of Human Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2434-2445. [PMID: 38265760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Source characteristics and health risks of indoor organophosphate esters (OPEs) are limited by the lack of knowledge on emission processes. This study attempted to integrate the contents and emissions of OPEs from indoor building materials to assess human health effects. Thirteen OPEs were investigated in 80 pieces of six categories of building materials. OPEs are ubiquitous in the building materials and ∑13OPE contents varied significantly (p < 0.05) from 72.8 ng/g (seam agent) to 109,900 ng/g (wallpaper). Emission characteristics of OPEs from the building materials were examined based on a microchamber method. Depending on the sample category, the observed initial area-specific emission rates of ∑13OPEs varied from 154 ng/m2/h (carpet) to 2760 ng/m2/h (wooden floorboard). Moreover, the emission rate model was developed to predict the release levels of individual OPEs, quantify source contributions, and assess associated exposure risks. Source apportionments of indoor OPEs exhibited heterogeneities in multiple environmental media. The joint OPE contribution of wallpaper and wooden floorboard to indoor dust was up to 94.8%, while latex paint and wooden floorboard were the main OPE contributors to indoor air (54.2%) and surface (76.1%), respectively. Risk assessment showed that the carcinogenic risks of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (3.35 × 10-7) were close to the acceptable level (1 × 10-6) and deserved special attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Han
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yanjun Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuan Zhuang
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qi Jia
- China Testing & Certification International Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100024, China
| | - Hongyan Guan
- China Testing & Certification International Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100024, China
| | - Jiemin Liu
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
- Beijing Institute of Graphic Communication, Beijing 102600, China
| | - Chuandong Wu
- School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
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Jia T, Gao L, Liu W, Guo B, He Y, Xu X, Mao T, Deng J, Li D, Tao F, Wang W. Screening of organophosphate esters in different indoor environments: Distribution, diffusion, and risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121576. [PMID: 37028786 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
of air conditioner (AC) filter dust can reveal the level of organophosphate ester (OPE) pollution in indoor environments, but comprehensive research on this topic remains lacking. This study combined non-targeted and targeted analysis to screen and analyze 101 samples of AC filter dust, settled dust, and air obtained in 6 indoor environments. Phosphorus-containing organic compounds account for a large proportion of the organic compounds found in indoor environments, and OPEs might be the main pollutants. Using toxicity data and traditional priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for toxicity prediction of OPEs, 11 OPEs were prioritized for further quantitative analysis. The concentration of OPEs in AC filter dust was highest, followed in descending order by that in settled dust and that in air. The concentration of OPEs in AC filter dust in the residence was two to seven times greater than that in the other indoor environments. More than 56% of the OPEs in AC filter dust showed significant correlation, while those in settled dust and air were weakly correlated, suggesting that large amounts of OPEs collected over long periods could have a common source. Fugacity results showed that OPEs were transferred easily from dust to air, and that dust was the main source of OPEs. The values of both the carcinogenic risk and the hazard index were lower than the corresponding theoretical risk thresholds, indicating low risk to residents through exposure to OPEs in indoor environments. However, it is necessary to remove AC filter dust in a timely manner to prevent it becoming a pollution sink of OPEs that could be rereleased and endanger human health. This study has important implications for comprehensive understanding of the distribution, toxicity, sources, and risks of OPEs in indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Jia
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lirong Gao
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Wenbin Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Bobo Guo
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yunchen He
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiaotian Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Tianao Mao
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Jinglin Deng
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Da Li
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Fang Tao
- China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Agilent Technologies (China) Co. Ltd., Beijing, 100102, China
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Wang C, Su ZH, He MJ. Dynamic variation and inhalation exposure of organophosphates esters and phthalic acid esters in face masks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120703. [PMID: 36403876 PMCID: PMC9671703 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has posed a huge global health threat since December 2019. Wearing face masks is known as an effective measure for controlling the wide spread of COVID-19 and its variants. But on the other hand, face masks could be a potential source of organophosphate esters (OPEs) and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) as they are extensively added in masks. However, knowledge associated with the occurrence as well as inhalation risks of OPEs and PAEs in masks is limited. In this study, OPEs and PAEs were determined in different types of mask samples collected from the local market. OPEs and PAEs were detected in mask samples ranging from 36.7 to 855 ng/g, and from 251 to 3830 ng/g, respectively. Relatively lower OPEs and PAEs concentrations were observed in disposable mask for toddlers. Simulated inhalation experiment indicated that the mass loss of OPEs and PAEs was 136 and 3910 ng/mask in disposable masks, 71.9 and 763 ng/mask in disposable mask for toddlers, 924 and 1020 ng/mask in N95 mask after 12 h, respectively. Significantly negative correlations were exhibited between the decrement of OPEs in masks and the increment of OPEs in corresponding polyurethane foams (PUFs) during the course, elucidating OPEs released from masks could be well captured by PUFs. With regard to the variation over time, predominant OPE and PAE analogues showed semblable release and absorption tendency in mask and corresponding PUF. Inhalation exposure risk of OPEs and PAEs was estimated based on the increment of pollutants in PUF. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) were also calculated and they were within the threshold levels. This study provides the evidence of OPEs and PAEs releasing from the face masks during wearing and unveiled a potential source of OPEs and PAEs exposure to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Wang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Zi-Han Su
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China
| | - Ming-Jing He
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400716, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400716, China.
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