Triazine-Derived Ultraviolet Filters and Flame Retardants: A Nationwide Co-Occurrence and Prevalence Study in China

Abstract

Triazine-derived ultraviolet filters (TA-UVFs) and flame retardants (TA-FRs) have been increasingly used for industrial needs. However, there remains a gap in knowledge regarding their co-occurrences and prevalence trends in municipal sludge on a large scale. Here, we conducted the first national-scale survey of wastewater-derived TA-UVFs and TA-FRs in the sludge of China. A total of 17 TA-UVFs and 6 TA-FRs were detected in the nationwide sludge samples. Among the 23 target triazine chemicals, 17 were reported for the first time in sludge and 4 were newly identified in the environment. Generally, the TA-FRs showed higher pollutant levels than the TA-UVFs. The total sludge concentrations of the two classes of triazine chemicals ranged from 106 to 2,170 ng/g (median of 994 ng/g). A clear spatial distribution trend of decreasing concentrations of TA-UVFs and TA-FRs was observed from East and Central China toward West China. The total annual influx of TA-UVFs and TA-FRs into the sludge in China was estimated to be 14.6 tons/year, among which 2.34 tons/year was directly released into sludge-amended soils. Our findings presented here highlight the widespread presence of two emerging classes of commonly used triazine chemicals in urban sludge and should be given urgent attention.

Combining Nontargeted Analysis with Computer-Based Hazard Comparison Approaches to Support Prioritization of Unregulated Organic Contaminants in Biosolids

“…The occurrence of organic contaminants in biosolids, referred to here as biosolid-associated organic contaminants (BOCs), has been studied for decades in the U.S. and internationally, ,− with some specific classes of chemicals receiving increased attention, including pharmaceuticals, − chemicals used in personal care products, − flame retardants, , ultraviolet (UV) filters, , and per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs). , As required by the Clean Water Act, the EPA conducts reviews every two years to identify additional contaminants in biosolids and sets limits if those contaminants are determined to pose a health risk to humans or the environment . The EPA′s Biennial Reviews and National Sewage Sludge Surveys identified chemicals present in U.S. and Canadian biosolids, and the results were recently curated, with updated versions publicly available on the EPA′s CompTox Chemicals Dashboard (hereafter “the Dashboard”).…”