Particle-size distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the urban agglomeration of Thessaloniki, northern Greece

The size distribution of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in particle sizes <0.49, 0.49-0.97, 0.97-1.5, 1.5-3.0, 3.0-7.2 and >7.2 μm was measured during the cold and the warm period of the year 2013 at traffic and background sites in the urban agglomeration of Thessaloniki, northern Greece. Mean aggregate concentrations (sum of six particle fractions) of the sum of 12 PBDE congeners (∑12PBDE) were 20.3 and 2.1 pg m−3 at the traffic and the urban background site, respectively, in the cold period exhibiting relative increase (27.1 and 2.4 pg m−3, respectively) in the warm period. At both sampling sites, more than 58% of ∑12PBDE was found to be associated with particles smaller than 0.49 μm in diameter. The outdoor workday inhalation exposure to PBDEs was estimated by calculating daily intake values for respirable, thoracic and inhalable fractions.