ENVR 181 |
| Airborne polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in specialized occupational settings, homes and urban outdoor air in Greece. The geometric mean concentrations of ∑PBDE (sum of 19 congeners) in offices (205 pg m−3), internet cafes/computer rooms (127 pg m−3) and computers/electronics shops (85 pg m−3) were significantly higher than those in furniture stores (12 pg m−3), homes (8 pg m−3) and outdoor air (18 pg m−3). In one extreme case (public office), a ∑PBDE concentration of 10,848 pg m−3 was detected. Principal component analysis revealed substantial differences in the PBDE congener profiles among furniture stores, internet cafes/computer rooms and outdoor air. It was further inferred that volatilization from electronic appliances and/or outdoor air should be the main source of PBDEs inside houses and offices, while emissions from furniture should be less important. The daily ∑PBDE inhalation intake estimated for the employees of the four occupational settings ranged from 0.2 to 1.4 ng day−1 and it was significantly lower than the expected dietary intake (~77 ng day−1). Although inhalation generally represented a small fraction of the overall daily exposure to PBDEs (~1%), the results from the heavily contaminated office indicated that the intake from this route (65 ng day−1) might, in some cases, be as important as diet. |
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Symposium Honoring Dr. Walter Giger
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Sci-Mix
Division of Environmental Chemistry |