Uncovering global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in air

Abstract

Commercial chemicals are used extensively across global urban centers, posing a potential exposure risk to 4.2 billion people, which accounts for 55% of the global population. Harmful chemicals are often assessed and regulated based on their environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxic properties, under international and national initiatives such as the Stockholm Convention. However, current regulatory frameworks largely rely upon knowledge of the properties of the parent chemicals, with minimal consideration given to their atmospheric transformation products. This is mainly due to a signi cant lack of experimental data, as identifying transformation products in complex mixtures of airborne chemicals is an immense analytical challenge,hence making a comprehensive and reliable risk assessment for harmful chemicals currently unachievable. Here, we develop a novel framework, combining laboratory and eld experiments, non-target analysis techniques, and in-silico modelling, to identify and assess the hazards of airborne chemicals, which takes into account atmospheric chemical reactions. By applying this framework to organophosphate ame retardants, as representative chemicals of emerging concern, we nd that their transformation products are globally distributed across 18 megacities, representing a previously unrecognized exposure risk for the world's urban populations. Furthermore, the transformation products can be up to an order of magnitude more persistent, environmentally mobile, and toxic than the parent chemicals. The results indicate that the overall human and environmental risks associated with ame retardants could be signi cantly underestimated, while highlighting a strong need to include atmospheric transformations in the development of regulations for all harmful chemicals moving forward.

Insights into the Atmospheric Persistence, Transformation, and Health Implications of Organophosphate Esters in Urban Ambient Air

“…Moreover, some transformation products, with the addition of more toxicologically active functional groups, for example, carbonyl groups, may have higher toxicities than parent OPEs. 25 The alkyl-OPE transformation products are placed at the highest hazard level (Class III) in the Cramer classification scheme ( Table S13 ). Most of these transformation products, especially TBOEP transformation products, were also predicted to potentially induce neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and renal toxicity.…”

“…The novel framework employing in silico prediction and suspect screening can cost-effectively identify OPE transformation products in the field samples. 25 It can also help to prioritize OPE transformation products of concern and conduce to estimate the health risks from exposure to transformation products in urban ambient air.…”

“…Additionally, transformation of OPEs via physicochemical and microbial processes can probably produce new atmospheric pollutants, which can be more toxic and more persistent than the parent OPEs. 25 Therefore, transformation products of OPEs may significantly contribute to ambient air pollution and increased health risk. Although bench-scale experiments and model simulations have been conducted to understand the kinetics and mechanisms of OPE atmospheric transformation, 26 − 31 the transformation potential and products of OPEs in ambient air remain largely unknown.…”

Effects of long‐term exposure to TDCPP in zebrafish (Danio rerio) – Alternations of hormone balance and gene transcriptions along hypothalamus‐pituitary axes

“…[17][18][19] It has been widely detected in air and water environments. 20,21 TDCPP is not easily degraded in water and up to 6.18 μg/L could be detected in the raw water from a solid waste disposal site. 21 Toxicological studies of TDCPP have exploded during recent decades, and available reports suggest that the ecological risk of TDCPP as a developmental toxin should not be neglected.…”

“…Tris(1,3‐dichloro‐2‐propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) has been widely used as an organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in polyurethane foams, which are commonly found in sofas, chairs, car upholstery, and related products 17‐19 . It has been widely detected in air and water environments 20,21 . TDCPP is not easily degraded in water and up to 6.18 μg/L could be detected in the raw water from a solid waste disposal site 21 .…”