Analysis and Pollution Assessment of Brominated Flame Retardants (PBDEs, DBDPE, and BTPBE) in Settled Dust from E-waste and Vehicle Processing Areas in Northern Vietnam

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) are typical brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which were widely added to polymeric textile materials meet fire safety requirements. PBDEs (including commercial penta-, octa-, deca-BDE mixtures) have been classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention, while DBDPE BTBPE considered PBDE replacements. In present study, concentrations of (major congeners technical mixtures such BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, 197, 207, 209), DBDPE, simultaneously analyzed in settled dust samples collected from e-waste end-of-life vehicle (ELV) processing areas northern Vietnam. The extracted by using an ultrasonic processor subsequently acetone acetone/hexane (1:1) mixture for 10 min each time. extract was treated with concentrated sulfuric acid activated silica gel remove interferences. BFRs gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) equipped a DB-5ht column. mass spectrometer operated at electron capture negative ionization (ECNI) selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. Concentrations total PBDEs, ranged 77 240,000 (median 6000), <20 5500), <10 9200 160) ng/g, respectively. significantly higher than those measured ELV dust, suggesting activities potential sources dust. Among analyzed, BDE-209 most predominant compounds, implying intensive application alternative formulations.