Insights into the Atmospheric Persistence, Transformation, and Health Implications of Organophosphate Esters in Urban Ambient Air

Transformation of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in natural ambient air and potential health risks from coexposure to OPEs and their transformation products are largely unclear. Therefore, a novel framework combining field-based investigation, in silico prediction, and target and suspect screening was employed to understand atmospheric persistence and health impacts of OPEs. Alkyl-OPE transformation products ubiquitously occurred in urban ambient air. The transformation ratios of tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate were size -dependent, implying that transformation processes may be affected by particle size. Transformation products of chlorinated-and aryl-OPEs were not detected in atmospheric particles, and atmospheric dry deposition might significantly contribute to their removal. Although inhalation risk of coexposure to OPEs and transformation products in urban ambient air was low, health risks related to OPEs may be underestimated as constrained by the identification of plausible transformation products and their toxicity testing in vitro or in vivo at current stage. The present study highlights the significant impact of particle size on the atmospheric persistence of OPEs and suggests that health risk assessments should be conducted with concurrent consideration of both parental compounds and transformation products of OPEs, in view of the nonnegligible abundances of transformation products in the air and their potential toxicity in silico.

Automated summary

This study investigated the transformation and health risks of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in the atmosphere. The results showed that alkyl-OPE transformation products were present in urban ambient air, while transformation products of chlorinated and aryl-OPEs were not detected. The study highlighted the significant impact of particle size on the atmospheric persistence of OPEs and recommended considering both parental compounds and transformation products in health risk assessments.