Novel Brominated Flame Retardants in Dust from E-Waste-Dismantling Workplace in Central China: Contamination Status and Human Exposure Assessment

Abstract

Novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) have been widely used as alternatives to legacy BFRs. However, information on the contamination status and human exposure risks of electronic waste (e-waste)-derived NBFRs in the e-waste workplace is limited. In this study, six NBFRs and the legacy BFRs, hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), were analyzed in 50 dust samples from an e-waste-dismantling workplace in Central China. The dust concentration of NBFRs in e-waste-dismantling workshops (median, 157–169 ng/g) was found to be significantly higher than those in an outdoor environment (17.3 ng/g) (p < 0.01). Differently, the highest median concentration of HBCDs was found in dust from the dismantling workshop for cellphones and computers (367 ng/g) among studied areas. The bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromo-phthalate (BEHTBP) was the predominant compound, which contributed 66.0–88.0% of measured NBFR concentrations. NBFRs might originate from plastic and rubber materials in wastes based on the correlation and principal component analysis. Moreover, the total estimated daily intakes (average scenario) of NBFRs were calculated at 2.64 × 10−2 ng/kg bw/d and 2.91 × 10−2 ng/kg bw/d for the male and female dismantling workers, respectively, via dust ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact pathways, which were lower than the reference dose values, and thus indicated a limited human exposure risk for NBFRs at the current level. Although the dust concentrations and daily intakes of NBFRs were still lower than those of other emerging pollutants (e.g., organophosphate and nitrogenous flame retardants) measured in the same sampling set, the elevated levels of NBFRs suggested the progressive BFR replacement process in China, which deserves more attention regarding their adverse effects on both the environment and human health.

Long-Term Polyethylene (Bio)Degradation in Landfill: Environmental and Human Health Implications from Comprehensive Analysis

“…As we move deeper into the MWL, bromide-containing substances become more dominant, particularly at the bottom and under the MWL. These halogens, as discussed in paper [ 40 ], are widely used as additives in PE production, with a specific emphasis on bromide-containing substances, as mentioned in [ 41 ]. The presence of these halogens in the lower layers of the MWL suggests potential migration through the MWL’s various levels, including the MWL bottom.…”

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate Enhances foxo1-Mediated Lipophagy to Remodel Lipid Metabolism in Zebrafish Liver

“…As a novel brominated flame retardant (NBFR), bis­(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH) is a substitute for traditional brominated flame retardants, like penta-brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) . Its production and widespread use in the past decade have led to contamination in many ecosystems: in air, soil, sediments, and surface water . Because it has a relatively high octanol–water partition coefficient (log K ow = 9.21), TBPH concentrations in surface water are generally low.…”

Bioaccumulation and Trophodynamics of Novel Brominated Flame Retardants (NBFRs) in Marine Food Webs from the Arctic and Antarctic Regions

“…The lack of chemical bonds in NBFRs facilitates their release into the environment through volatilization, abrasion, and/or dissolution during use and disposal . Recent observations indicate that diverse NBFRs have been leached into different environmental matrices, extending from industrialized regions to remote areas, − and are now recognized as global contaminants. Emerging experimental evidence has revealed that NBFRs exhibit similar characteristics as PBDEs in terms of semivolatility, lipophilic properties, LRAT behavior, environmental persistence, and bioaccumulation potential .…”