Analysis and Evaluation of Contamination Status of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Road Dust from Some Northern Vietnam Areas

Abstract

Abstract: Contamination levels and profiles of 36 decabromo congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in road dust samples collected from an urban area, an industrial park, and a rural commune in northern Vietnam. Concentrations of PBDEs in the road dust samples decreased gradually as follows: urban area (mean 36, range 16–55 ng/g) > industrial area (6.4, 3.9–11 ng/g) > rural area (1.8, 0.91–3.6 ng/g). This trend suggests a clear urban-rural gradient of environmental occurrence of PBDEs in northern Vietnam. Concentrations of PBDEs were correlated with traffic density, reflecting vehicles as important emission sources of these brominated flame retardants in the outdoor environment. BDE-209 was the most predominant congener detected in almost all the samples, accounting for 61 to 90% with an average of 78% of total PBDEs. These profiles confirm the widespread application of deca-BDE mixtures in Vietnam. Human exposure and health risk related to dust-bound PBDEs were evaluated for residents and occupationally exposed persons (e.g., street sweepers, vendors, and traffic policemen) in the studied areas. Although the daily intake doses of selected PBDE congeners (e.g., BDE-47, -99, -153, and -209) were significantly lower than the reference doses, more comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted, especially for occupational groups and small children in the urban and industrial areas.

Keywords:  PBDEs, BDE-209, road dust, urban area, industrial area, northern Vietnam.

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