Seasonality in polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations in the atmosphere of the Yangtze River Delta, China

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations in the atmosphere in rapidly developing parts of China have been studied little. In this study, polyurethane foam disk passive air samplers were used to comprehensively investigate PBDE concentrations in the atmosphere of the Yangtze River Delta in different seasons in 2010 and 2011. The mean sum of the concentrations of 13 PBDE congeners was 3.3 pg/m3 in spring, 7.3 pg/m3 in summer, 1.0 pg/m3 in autumn, and 12 pg/m3 in winter. Higher PBDE concentrations were found in urban areas than in rural areas. The PBDE concentrations were comparable to concentrations that have been found in cities around the world. BDE28, BDE47, BDE99, BDE153, and BDE183 were the dominant PBDE congeners in all seasons. High PBDE concentrations were found in satellite cities, such as Changshu, Wujiang, and Zhangjiagang, suggesting that commercial PBDEs (including pentabromodiphenyl ether products) are produced and/or used in those cities. The PBDE concentrations in the atmosphere were used to estimate daily doses through the inhalation of outdoor air. The most severe risks posed by exposure to PBDEs were found to occur in winter, for both adults and children, but the PBDE concentrations were found not to pose appreciable risks to human health.