Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust in D urban, S outh A frica

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers ( PBDE s) and polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCB s) were measured in indoor dust of three microenvironments in Durban, South Africa. The sum of eight PBDE s and three PCB s were quantified by gas chromatography with mass spectral detection. The mean concentrations of ∑ n  = 8 PBDE s and ∑ n  = 3 PCB s in 10 homes, 11 offices, and 13 university students’ computer laboratories were 1710, 1520, and 818 ng/g, and 891, 923, and 1880 ng/g for PBDE s and PCB s, respectively. The concentration of PCB s found in homes was independent ( P  =   0.0625) of building construction year. Similarly, no relationship was observed between PCB concentrations and floor type. The concentrations of PBDE s correlated ( r  = 0.60) with PCB concentrations in homes, thus assuming similar sources. The elevated concentrations of PBDE s and PCB s may have significant implications for human exposure.