1 research outputs found
Particle Size-Specific Distributions and Preliminary Exposure Assessments of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Office Air Particulate Matter
In this study, the concentrations,
size-specific distributions,
and preliminary exposure assessments of 10 organophosphate flame retardants
(OPFRs) were investigated in suspended particulate matter collected
from offices. OPFRs were detected in a range of 5.00–147.77
ng/m<sup>3</sup>. TriÂ(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) was the most
abundant analog followed by triÂ(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and
triphenyl phosphate (TPhP). Chlorinated OPFRs (TCPP, TCEP, and trisÂ(1,3-dichloroisopropyl)
phosphate (TDCPP)) contributed to about 77% of the total OPFRs. Size-specific
distributions revealed that TCEP, tri-n-propyl phosphate (TnPP), TCPP,
and tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP) shared a similar distribution pattern
with a peak in the fraction 4.7–5.8 μm. A peak was also
found in the distributions of tricresyl phosphate (TCrP), 2-ethylhexyl
diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), and triÂ(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP)
but in different fractions. A bimodal distribution was observed for
TDCPP, TPhP, and tributoxyethyl phosphate (TBEP). The results of mass
median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) indicated that TDCPP, TCrP, and
TEHP were mainly located on ultrafine particles (≤1 μm),
while TnPP, TBEP, and EHDPP mainly on fine particles (≤2.5
μm). Furthermore, MMADs of OPFRs were found to be positively
correlated with their vapor pressures (Vp) (<i>p</i> <
0.01), indicating that OPFR analogs with low Vp were inclined to adsorb
on small size particles. Preliminary exposure assessments suggested
a low risk of exposure to OPFRs for people working in such offices,
and inhaled OPFRs would mainly deposit in the head region of the respiratory
tract