PM06 Emerging Pollutants
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday
(PM046) Deca-BDE in UK air.
Wilford, B1, Aardenburg, L2, Thomas, G1, Jones, K1, 1 Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire, United Kingdom2 Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
ABSTRACT- Deca-BDE is the only PBDE flame retardant not to have been banned for current use in Europe based on environmental fate and toxicology data. The results of a pilot study in October - November 2003 investigating BDE-209 (the major constituent of deca-BDE) atmospheric concentrations indicated that UK levels ranged from 4.9 - 53 pg m-3 for 3-4 day samples, with BDE-209 mainly in the particulate phase. This is the first report of BDE-209 levels in air in Europe. In order to thoroughly assess BDE-209 levels in air, and how these concentrations are influenced by weather conditions, daily samples of the air particulates were taken continuously for one month using hi-volume air samplers, from mid-April to mid-May 2004, at the University of Lancaster meteorological station in the north-west of England. Air masses at this location are influenced by the Irish Sea to the west, predominantly rural areas to the north and east, and more urban/ industrial areas to the south of Lancaster. Samples were analysed for the presence of BDE-209, plus nona, octa and other lower-brominated BDE congeners. For one week during this period the vapour phase was also collected and analysed. Triplicate samples were taken to assess reproducibility. Levels were compared to meteorological conditions and back trajectories in order to assess how BDE-209 levels in the air are influenced by sunlight, wind speed and direction, rainfall, temperature, humidity, and other conditions. The BDE congener profile was used to assess whether deca breakdown occurs in UK air, and how it is influenced by weather conditions.
Key words: air, deca-BDE, breakdown, meteorology