Distribution and fate of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor environments of elementary schools

Abstract  Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are considered harmful to human health because of their toxicities and persistence in environments. In the current study, the distribution and fate of PBDEs in classrooms and computer rooms in 17 elementary schools in South Korea have been described. Eight congeners (brominated diphenyl ether-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, and -209) in air, floor dust, and product surface dust were measured. While ∑8PBDEs in the air in classrooms showed considerable variations (0.659–1600 pg/m3, arithmetic mean ± s.d.: 377 ± 441 pg/m3), those in computer rooms were somewhat similar (134–220 pg/m3, arithmetic mean ± s.d.: 169 ± 40 pg/m3). ∑8PBDEs in floor dust varied over a wide range, from 453 to 45,700 ng/g, for all rooms. Based on congener patterns, two groups were created – CL-1 that is dominated by high-brominated congeners and CL-2 primarily comprising low-brominated congeners – for both air and floor dust of classrooms. Surface dust had low concentrations, ranged from ND to 181, from ND to 128, and from ND to 256 pg/cm2 for desk/chair sets, lockers, and playing tools, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated individually for air, floor dust, and surface dust. The results indicate that both surface dust and floor dust may act as a secondary source of PBDEs in indoor environments after emission from facilities. Practical Implications Children have been estimated to have a higher potential exposure to PBDEs than adults. Since children spend most of their day time at school, PBDE distributions in school environments should be a matter of great concern.