Level and congener profiles of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the atmosphere of Beijing, China

- Level and congener profiles of PBDD/Fs were researched at six sites in Beijing.
- Spatial distribution, seasonal variations were also researched.
- Studied the characteristics of PBDD/Fs in haze.
- We assessed the inhalation risk for residents in Beijing.

Air samples were collected from six locations during the periods of February, 2011-March, 2012 in Beijing city. PBDD/Fs were analyzed using HRGC-HRMS. The concentrations, congener profiles, spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and inhalation risk assessment were investigated. The mass concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDD/Fs is 818-5748 fg m−3 with an average of 2490 fg m−3. The highest concentration was observed at site XS in February, 2011 and the lowest was at site BS in July 2011. The TEQ concentrations of PBDD/Fs ranged from 73.3 to 640 fg I-TEQ m−3, with an average of 190 fg I-TEQ m−3. The dominant contributor to total I-TEQ value is 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF, with an average contribution of 35%. The PBDD/Fs at six sampling sites did not show obvious spatial variation. The concentration exhibits obvious seasonal variation, so atmospheric PBDD/F concentrations at six sample sites were much higher in winter than in summer. Residents in Beijing were exposed to PBDD/Fs with the daily inhalation doses being 39-138 fg I-TEQ kg−1 day−1 for adult and 69-245 fg TEQ kg−1 day−1 for children in winter, but in summer, the values were 10-33 for adult and 18-59 for children. The rough inhalation risk evaluation showed that the residents in Beijing had relatively higher exposure levels of PBDD/Fs in winter, so more research about PBDD/Fs should be carried out at once.