Journal Article

Non-PBDE halogenated flame retardants in Canadian indoor house dust: sampling, analysis, and occurrence

Fan, Xinghua, Rasmussen, Pat E., Kubwabo, Cariton, Wu, Fang

2016

Overview

An analytical method was developed for the measurement of 18 novel halogenated flame retardants in house dust. Sample preparation was based on ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and clean up with solid phase extraction (SPE). Sample extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) operated in electron capture negative ion (ECNI) chemical ionization mode. Baseline data from 351 fresh (active) dust samples collected under the Canadian House Dust Study (CHDS) revealed that five out of 18 target chemicals were present with detection frequencies higher than 90 %. Median (range) concentrations for these five compounds were as follows: 104 (<1.5–13,000) ng/g for 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTBB), 8.5 (<1.7–2390) ng/g for 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), 10.2 (<1.7–430) ng/g for hexabromobenzene (HBB), 2.9 (<1.2–1410) ng/g for syn -dechlorane plus ( syn -DP) and 5.6 (<1.9–1570) ng/g for anti -dechlorane plus ( anti -DP). A comparison of two sampling methods in a subset of 40 homes showed significant positive correlations between samples of “active” dust and samples taken directly from the household vacuum cleaner for all target compounds having median values above their corresponding method detection limits (MDLs). In addition, the method was also applied to the analysis of the targeted compounds in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference material (SRM 2585, organic contaminants in house dust). Results from the current study could contribute to the potential certification of target chemicals in SRM 2585.

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis / Aquatic Pollution / Benzoates - analysis / Bromobenzenes - analysis / Canada / certification / Chemicals / Climate change / detection limit / Detection limits / Dust / Dust - analysis / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecotoxicology / Environment / Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Health / Environmental science / Ethane / Extraction processes / Fire resistant materials / Flame retardants / Flame Retardants - analysis / Gas chromatography / Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / House dust / Indoor air quality / Ionization / Mass spectrometry / Methods / Organic contaminants / Physical properties / Polybrominated diphenyl ethers / Reference materials / Research Article / Sample preparation / Sampling methods / Sampling techniques / Scientific imaging / Solid Phase Extraction / Solvent extraction / solvents / Studies / ultrasonic treatment / Waste Water Technology / Water Management / Water Pollution Control