Factors influencing human exposure assessments of legacy and 'novel' brominated flame retardants via indoor dust ingestion

Al-Omran, Layla Salih Zaalan (2016). Factors influencing human exposure assessments of legacy and 'novel' brominated flame retardants via indoor dust ingestion. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Indoor settled dust has been recognised as an important pathway of human exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) via ingestion. The purpose of this study is to investigate the most important factors influencing human exposure assessments. A new clean-up method was optimised to determine PBDEs (BDE-28, BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153, BDE-154, BDE-183 and BDE-209) and NBFRs (PBEB, EH-TBB, BEH-TEBP, BTBPE and DBDPE) in a single sample extract via GC-MS. Substantial within-room and within-home spatial variability in BFR concentrations was apparent between two floor areas and between elevated surface and floor dust, due to the varying distances of sampled surfaces from potential BFR sources. Considerable within-room and within-home temporal variability in BFR concentrations was apparent over a nine month sampling period, that is likely attributable to changes in room contents. Seasonal variability in BFR concentrations was also observed between colder and warmer seasons. Concentrations of lower brominated compounds (tri-hexa-BDEs) and BEH-TEBP were significantly higher in the finest particle size fractions and in researcher-collected dust, comparing with the coarse particle size fractions and household vacuum dust. Our estimates of exposure to PBDEs and NBFRs via dust ingestion for the Iraqi population fall below the relevant health-based values.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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