Global Atmospheric Concentrations of Brominated and Chlorinated Flame Retardants and Organophosphate Esters

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disk passive air samples, deployed during 2014 in the Global Atmospheric Passive Sampling (GAPS) Network, were analyzed for a range of flame retardants (FRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), brominated and chlorinated novel FRs, and organophosphate esters (OPEs). Mean concentrations of PBDEs and novel FRs at the 48 sites monitored ranged from 0.097 to 93 pg/m(3) for Sigma 14PBDEs and from below detection limits to 126 pg/m(3) for Sigma(15)novel FRs. For PBDEs, the detected concentrations were similar to those previously reported from samples collected in 2005 at GAPS sites, suggesting global background atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs have not declined since regulatory measures were implemented. OPEs were detected at every GAPS site, with Sigma 18OPEs ranging from 69 to 7770 pg/m(3). OPE concentrations were at least an order of magnitude higher than the PBDEs. This study presents the first data on global distributions of OPEs in the atmosphere, obtained from a single passive sampling monitoring network. Challenges that can arise in passive air sampling campaigns are also highlighted and addressed with suggested recommendations for future campaigns.