Characterizing distribution, sources, and potential health risk of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in office environment

- The concentrations of ΣPBDEs and congeners varied significantly in air and different settled dust samples.
- PBDEs exhibited spatial variability in office dust.
- Positive correlation existed between ΣPBDEs levels and the power consumption.
- The cancer or non-cancer risks from current PBDEs exposure were both low.

This study evaluated the levels and spatial distribution of PBDEs in 9 typical offices in Shanghai, China through the sample analysis of air and settled dust (floor dust, desktop dust and dust in computer case). PBDEs in air ranged from 93 to 322 pg/m3, while the PBDEs levels in dust varied from 247 to 3.3 × 104 ng/g. Spatial variability of PBDEs in office dust was evident and likely influenced by air exchange and the use of electronic devices. A significant positive linear correlation was observed between the power usage rate and PBDE levels in both office air (R2 = 0.81) and settled dust (R2 = 0.94). The PBDEs exposure via inhalation and dust ingestion were both analyzed to estimate the life-time cancer risk, which is 1.34 × 10−22 to 7.16 × 10−22, significantly lower than the threshold level (10−6). Non-cancer risk indicated by the hazard index (<1) is also low in current exposure conditions.