Levels, distribution, childhood exposure assessment, and influencing factors of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in household dust from nine cities in China

Household dust is an important source of premature exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), especially for children. In this onsite study, 246 dust samples were collected from 224 households in nine Chinese cities during 2018-2019. Questionnaires were administered to explore the association between household-related information and PBDEs in household dust. The median concentration of sigma 12PBDEs in household dust from 9 cities was 138 ng/g (94-227 ng/g), with the arithmetic mean of 240 +/- 401 ng/g. Among the nine cities, the highest median concentration of sigma 12PBDEs in household dust was found in Mianyang (295.57 ng/g), while the lowest was found in Wuxi (23.15 ng/ g). BDE-71 was the most dominant congener, ranging from 42.08 % to 98.15 % of the 12 PBDE congeners among 9 cit-ies. Three potential sources for the indoor environment were Penta-BDE, Octa-BDE commercial products, and photo-lytic bromine from Deca-BDEs based on the largest contribution (81.24 %). Under the moderate exposure scenario, the exposure levels through ingestion and dermal absorption for children were 7.30 x 10-1 ng/kg BW/day and 3.26 x 10-2 ng/kg BW/day, respectively. Temperature, CO2, years of residence, income, family size, household size, use of computers, heating, use of insecticide, and use of humidifiers were influential factors for PBDE concentra-tions in household dust. Based on the evidence of the correlation between PBDEs and these household parameters, it can be applied to reduce PBDE concentrations in household dust, which is a basis for controlling PBDEs pollution in Chinese households and protecting population health.

Automated summary

Household dust is a significant source of premature exposure to PBDEs, particularly for children. This onsite study collected 246 dust samples from 224 households in nine Chinese cities and explored the association between household-related information and PBDEs in household dust. The study found that temperature, CO2 levels, years of residence, income, family size, household size, use of computers, heating, use of insecticide, and use of humidifiers were influential factors on PBDE concentrations in household dust. The results provide a basis for controlling PBDE pollution in Chinese households and protecting population health.