Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in house dust in Singapore

The use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame retardants in Singapore is not strictly regulated; therefore these compounds can be readily found in furniture, electronic devices, and building materials. This study was the first of its kind to be conducted in Singapore to measure concentr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemosphere (Oxford) 2007, Vol.66 (6), p.985-992
Main Authors: Tan, Jing, Cheng, Si Min, Loganath, Annamalai, Chong, Yap Seng, Obbard, Jeffrey Philip
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding
Applied sciences
Atmospheric pollution
Biological and medical sciences
Brominated flame retardant
Buildings. Public works
Dust - analysis
Environment. Living conditions
Environmental Exposure - analysis
Ethers - analysis
Exact sciences and technology
House dust
Housing
Human exposure
Indoor pollution and occupational exposure
Medical sciences
PBDEs
Pollution
Pollution indoor buildings
Polybrominated Biphenyls - analysis
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Singapore
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as flame retardants in Singapore is not strictly regulated; therefore these compounds can be readily found in furniture, electronic devices, and building materials. This study was the first of its kind to be conducted in Singapore to measure concentrations of PBDEs in house dust. Samples were collected from 31 homes in various locations across the island-state of Singapore, and a total eight PBDEs congeners were measured. PBDEs were detected in all 31 dust samples and the number of BDE congener detected per home ranged between 3 and 8. The most abundant BDE congeners found were BDE 47, 99 and 209, with a median value of 20 ng g −1 dust, 24 ng g −1 dust and 1000 ng g −1 dust, respectively. BDE 209 contributed 88% to the median of all the congeners, and BDE 47 and 99 contributed 1.8% and 3.5%, respectively. Different congener profiles were observed between this and studies conducted elsewhere, which is consistent with the use of different commercial PBDE around the world. No significant correlations between PBDE dust levels and residential characteristics (number of TVs and computers, floor area or flooring material) were observed. The daily intake of PBDEs via the inhalation pathway was estimated. House dust may be regarded as the most important exposure route of PBDEs for children.
ISSN:0045-6535
1879-1298
DOI:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.07.052