Toxic effects of brominated flame retardants in man and in wildlife

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of considerable concern due to their well-recognised toxicity and especially due to the carcinogenic hazard which they present. PAHs are semi-volatile and therefore partition between vapour and condensed phases in the atmosphere and both the vapour and particulate forms undergo chemical reactions. This article briefly reviews the current understanding of vapour-particle partitioning of PAHs and the PAH deposition processes, and in greater detail, their chemical reactions. PAHs are reactive towards a number of atmospheric oxidants, most notably the hydroxyl radical, ozone, the nitrate radical (NO3) and nitrogen dioxide. Rate coefficient data are reviewed for reactions of lower molecular weight PAH vapour with these species as well as for heterogeneous reactions of higher molecular weight compounds. Whereas the data for reactions of the 2-3-ring PAH vapour are quite extensive and generally consistent, such data are mostly lacking for the 4-ring PAHs and the heterogeneous rate data (5 and more rings), which are dependent on the substrate type and reaction conditions, are less comprehensive. The atmospheric reactions of PAH lead to the formation of oxy and nitro derivatives, reviewed here, too. Finally, the capacity of PAHs for long range transport and the results of numerical model studies are described. Research needs are identified.

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Chemical reactivity and long-range transport potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - a review

Commercially, the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are available in several technical formulations Three major commercial mixtures are referred to as deca-BDE (CAS No 1163-19-5), octa-BDE (CAS No 32536-52-0), and pentaBDE (CAS No 32534-81-9) They are used as flame retardant additives in thermoplastics in large quantities (10%-30% of the total mass; Lassen et al 1999) in a variety of polymers, textiles, and other materials to prevent or retard the spread of fire Therefore, they are present in a wide array of consumer and industrial products, including interiors of vehicles, electrical and electronic appliances, rubber-coated electric wires, foam in upholstery, textiles (carpets and other furnishings), television and computer casings, and building materials They are predominantly used as additive flame retardants, are relatively mobile, and may readily migrate (leach) from products into the surrounding environment during normal product use, life cycle, and disposal

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers: human tissue levels and toxicology.

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Toxicological profile for polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers

https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1059&context=gsofacpubs

Exploring the planetary boundary for chemical pollution

A 6-month air sampling survey was conducted at 26 sites across the African continent with the aim to establish baseline information on contamination of ambient air with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) as a reference for future monitoring programs in the region. Sampling sites included continental, rural and urban backgrounds, agricultural and industrial sites as well as waste and obsolete pesticide dumps. Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides were low at most of the rural background sites, but they raise some concern in big cities. The large temporal variability in the pesticide concentrations suggested seasonal application of γ-HCHs and endosulfans; levels of p,p′-DDT were often much higher than those of p,p′-DDE and indicated recent application of DDT.

Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in Africa. Part 1: Passive air sampling across the continent in 2008

This study reports on the first complex data set of emission factors (EFs) of selected pollutants from combustion of five fuel types (lignite, bituminous coal, spruce, beech, and maize) in six different domestic heating appliances of various combustion designs. The effect of fuel as well as the effect of boiler type was studied. In total, 46 combustion runs were performed, during which numerous EFs were measured, including the EFs of particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), hexachlorobenzene (HxCBz), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/F), etc. The highest EFs of nonchlorinated pollutants were measured for old-type boilers with over-fire and under-fire designs and with manual stoking and natural draft. Emissions of the above-mentioned pollutants from modern-type boilers (automatic, downdraft) were 10 times lower or more. The decisive factor for emission rate of nonchlorinated pollutants was the type of appliance; the type of fuel plays only a minor role. Em...

Effect of Fuels and Domestic Heating Appliance Types on Emission Factors of Selected Organic Pollutants

The impact of co-combustion of polyethylene plastics and wood in a small residential boiler on emissions of gaseous pollutants, particulate matter, PAHs and 1,3,5- triphenylbenzene.

Tomáš Tomšej

Papers

Monitoring of persistent organic pollutants in Africa. Part 1: Passive air sampling across the continent in 2008

Effect of Fuels and Domestic Heating Appliance Types on Emission Factors of Selected Organic Pollutants

The impact of co-combustion of polyethylene plastics and wood in a small residential boiler on emissions of gaseous pollutants, particulate matter, PAHs and 1,3,5- triphenylbenzene.

Polybrominated flame retardants in human adipose tissue in Czech Republic inhabitants. The pilot study

Influence of co-combustion of unsuitable fuels with standardized fuels in households on CO, OGC, PM, and PAH emissions