Size distribution of particle-associated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their implications for health

Abstract

Abstract. In order to better understand the size distribution of particle-associated PBDEs and their deposition pattern in the human respiratory tract, we carried out a 1-year campaign during 2012-2013 for the measurement of sizeresolved particles at the urban site of Shanghai. The results showed that particulate PBDEs exhibited a bimodal distribution with a mode peak in the accumulation particle size range and the second mode peak in the coarse particle size ranges. As the number of bromine atoms in the molecule increases, accumulation-mode peak intensity increased while coarsemode peak intensity decreased. This change was consistent with the variation of PBDEs' subcooled vapor pressure. Absorption and adsorption processes dominated the distribution of PBDEs among the different size particles. The evaluated deposition flux of 13 PBDEs was 26.8 pg h −1 , in which coarse particles contributed most PBDEs in head and tracheobronchial regions, while fine-mode particles contributed major PBDEs in the alveoli region. In association with the fact that fine particles can penetrate deeper into the respiratory system, fine-particle-bound highly brominated PBDEs can be inhaled more deeply into human lungs and cause a greater risk to human health.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in background air around the Aegean: implications for phase partitioning and size distribution

“…S2). Analogous trends have also been observed for PBDEs (Besis et al 2015;Luo et al 2014;Lyu et al 2016;Mandalakis et al 2009;Okonski et al 2014) and other classes of organic contaminants (Chrysikou and Samara 2009;Landlová et al 2014). BDE-209 exhibited a different size distribution pattern (Fig.…”

“…Luo et al (2014) reported positive correlation between mass fractions in coarse particles and the log P L°f or trito hexa-BDEs, and a negative correlation for hepta-to deca-BDEs. Also, Lyu et al (2016)…”

Human Indoor Exposure to Airborne Halogenated Flame Retardants: Influence of Airborne Particle Size

“…PM with aerodynamic diameters <2.5 µm (PM 2.5 ) can penetrate deep inside the lung’s gas exchange region, while larger sized PM may reside in the head or tracheobronchial region of the respiratory tract [ 32 ]. Lyu et al (2016) [ 33 ] collected size-resolved air particulates (<0.4 to >9.0 µm) at an urban site in Shanghai, China, between 2012 and 2013. Deposition fluxes indicated that only 11% of the PBDE-laden particles would likely enter the alveolar region.…”

New insight into the levels, distribution and health risk diagnosis of indoor and outdoor dust-bound FRs in colder, rural and industrial zones of Pakistan

“…In the perspective of health scenarios, the long-term exposure of FRs may have built a greater potential for the adverse health effects on living organisms as compared to short-term exposure for FRs (Lyu et al, 2016). The ingestion and inhalation of FRs could be carried out via dust or aerosol in air.…”