Grain size distribution and exposure evaluation of organophosphorus and brominated flame retardants in indoor and outdoor dust and PM10 from Chengdu, China

To investigate overall pollution and potential risk of 32 targets (11 PBDEs, 8 NBFRs, and 13 OPFRs) in indoor and outdoor environments, dust and PM10 samples were sampled from non-occupational and occupational zones in Chengdu, China. Sigma Cl-OPFRs, BDE-209, and DBDPE were the dominant constitutes in both the non occupational and occupational dust. Regarding the PM10, no significant differences were found between the kitchen and the living room for studied OPFRs except TDCIPP, and TCEP, TCPP, TEHP, and TCP displayed significant correlation among the kitchen, the living room and personal samples. Profiles of the OPFRs in the PM10 from occupational areas presented great variation and ranked as: Sigma Aryl-OPFRs < Sigma Alkyl-OPFRs < Sigma Cl-OPFRs. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of the investigated FRs via dust suggested dust ingestion and inhalation were the main exposure route to FRs, and the total of EDIs were at least one order of magnitude lower than reference data, indicating a low risk for the general public in Chengdu. However, with increasing usage of FRs in daily goods, a long-term monitoring should be conducted.