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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust in D urban, S outh A frica
Author(s) -
Abafe O. A.,
Martincigh B. S.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
indoor air
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.387
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 1600-0668
pISSN - 0905-6947
DOI - 10.1111/ina.12168
Subject(s) - polybrominated diphenyl ethers , environmental chemistry , environmental science , polybrominated biphenyls , chemistry , pollutant , organic chemistry
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.