Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in the atmosphere and tree bark from Beijing, China

Summer atmospheric polybrominated diphenyl ethers in urban and rural areas of northern China

“…For all the samples collected in this study, the average ratio of BDE-99 to BDE-47 (total of gaseous and particulate phases) was 0.11, which was far lower than those of the two widely used commercial penta-BDEs (1.3 and 1.0 for DE-71 and Bromkal 70-5DE) (La Guardia et al, 2006). Similar results have been reported previously (Harrad and Hunter, 2006;Hu et al, 2011). Longer half-life and higher volatility of BDE-47 compared to BDE-99 can be an important reason that BDE-99 to BDE-47 ratio in atmosphere was lower than those in commercial products (Eriksson et al, 2004).…”

“…The only data reported for atmospheric PBDEs based on active sampling in northern China were those measured at a single site in Beijing urban area and the annual mean concentration (202 AE 213 pg/m 3 ) (Hu et al, 2011). With an exception of BDE-209, the measured S 13 PBDEs were generally similar to those reported for many areas in other countries, like 21, 4.5e65, and 3e30 pg/m 3 in Birmingham, Kyoto, and Toronto, respectively (Harner et al, 2006;Harrad and Hunter, 2006;Hayakawa et al, 2004).…”

“…In China, the limited number of studies on atmospheric PBDEs were mostly conducted in south and east coastal areas, where numerous manufacturers of electronics, furniture, plastics, textiles, and building materials and majority of e-waste recycling sites are located (Chen et al, 2006;Deng et al, 2007;Han et al, 2009). Among a few studies performed in northern China, Hu et al reported a mean air concentration of 210 pg/m 3 at a single site in Beijing urban area (Hu et al, 2011). So far, all the studies have been conducted in cities except those at e-waste recycling sites while no data are available for rural China.…”

Organohalogen contamination in passerine birds from three metropolises in China: Geographical variation and its implication for anthropogenic effects on urban environments

“…2). Previous reports have demonstrated the elevated HBCD levels in ambient air in the north of China compared to that in the south (Hu et al, 2011;Yu et al, 2008), which was consistent with our results. The manufacturers of HBCDs in China are mainly located in the coastal areas of the eastern and northeastern China (Tanabe, 2008), which may contribute to the increasing HBCD levels in BJ.…”

Levels, isomer profiles and chiral signatures of particle-bound hexabromocyclododecanes in ambient air around Shanghai, China

“…Roosens et al (2009) found that concentrations of HBCDs in serum of adult humans correlated with exposure via air-borne dust, but not via dietary ingestion. So far, although data are still very limited, HBCDs have been detected in air samples from some places in Europe (Bergander et al, 1995;Remberger et al, 2004), America (Hoh and Hites, 2005), Asia (Hu et al, 2011;Takigami et al, 2007;Yu et al, 2008a) and even the Arctic de Wit et al, 2010;Xiao et al, 2010). Shanghai is one of the most important commercial and industrial regions of China.…”