A review of environmental occurrence, analysis, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of organophosphate esters

Regional Distribution of Atmospheric Organophosphate Tri-/Diesters in the Pearl River Delta: Possible Emission, Photo-degradation, and Atmospheric Transportation

“…Seasonal variations of OPEs or Di-OPs were investigated only for those compounds with DFs >60% in both sampling seasons. It was noted that TPHP (267−642 pg/m 3 ), TCEP (<LOD −1060 pg/m 3 ), and DPHP (9.93−1215 pg/m 3 ) concentrations in spring were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in summer (<LOD − 207 pg/m 3 , <LOD − 368 pg/ m 3 This phenomenon could be ascribed to their different partitioning behavior between the gaseous phase and the particulate state, as well as the higher photo-degradation/ transformation potential of TPHP and DPHP in summer. 26,37,39,45 The PRD is located in the subtropics; the monthly average temperature in spring (February to April) varies in the range of 16−20 °C with about 24−84 h of sunshine, while it is in the range of 27−30 °C in summer (July to September) with much more sunshine hours of about 200− 300 h. Consequently, we speculated that a higher portion of OPEs (TCEP, TPHP, and TCIPP) and DPHP might gradually be partitioned off particles.…”

“…Organophosphate triesters (OPEs) are a group of functional additives as flame retardants and/or plasticizers that are widely used in a range of products, such as electronic/electrical equipment, furniture, building and decorative materials, textiles, and as industrial additives. − Their production and consumption have increased substantially in recent years, especially after the ban/restriction on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), resulting in their global distribution at elevated levels. ,− More importantly, with toxicology results gradually being disclosed, OPEs have begun to be considered as undesirable substituents for PBDEs, with many studies revealing their presence, long-distance transportation, toxicity, and ultimate fate in the environment. ,, …”

“…1,4−6 More importantly, with toxicology results gradually being disclosed, OPEs have begun to be considered as undesirable substituents for PBDEs, with many studies revealing their presence, long-distance transportation, toxicity, and ultimate fate in the environment. 3,4,7 In the past decade, organophosphate diesters (Di-OPs), especially chlorinated Di-OPs, have attracted increasing attention from environmental scientists due to their presence in the aquatic system and indoor environment, possible higher toxicity, and persistence compared to their paired OPEs. 8,9 Formerly, Di-OPs were reported as metabolites or degradation products of OPEs, 9,10 but several Di-OPs are actually industrial chemicals.…”

“…Until recently, approximately 100 OPEs have been identified and reported in different environment matrices, ,,,, including a lot of newly emerging OPEs. , In this study, we selected 10 industrials OPEs that have been demonstrated in the environment in the PRD ,,, and 7 Di-OPs as target analytes and then focused on their regional atmospheric characteristics in the PRD, especially on the emission and possible transportation of Di-OPs, based on PAS with QFFs on a regional scale.…”

Presence of novel and legacy flame retardants and other pollutants in an e-waste site in China and associated risks

“…This is basically caused by the release of chemical pollutants linked to the plastics and electronic components, such as chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), recently replaced by organophosphate esters (OPEs) used both as plasticizers and flame retardants, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) released from combustion processes, and lower market value metals such as Pb, Cr, Cd, Hg, Zn, Ni or Li among others (Shen et al, 2017). The presence of these pollutants is concerning from the environmental and human health point of view due to their accumulation and magnification potential and their toxic properties, which include endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity or developmental impairments among others (Bekele et al, 2021;Vagi et al, 2021). Therefore, it is important to determine the impact of such pollutants in areas affected by e-waste.…”