Halogenated organic pollutants in particulate matters emitted during recycling of waste printed circuit boards in a typical e-waste workshop of Southern China

•Levels and patterns of PBDEs, PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs associated with PM were presented.•BDE-47, -99, and -209 were the dominant PBDE congeners.•Concentrations of PBDD/Fs were higher than PCDD/Fs.•E-waste recycling represents a strong source of PBDEs and dioxins. Air particle samples collected from a typical workshop of Southern China engaged in recycling waste printed circuit boards were analyzed for PBDEs, PCDD/Fs, and PBDD/Fs. The concentrations and profiles of these compounds were presented. Concentrations of ∑PBDEs, ∑PCDD/Fs and ∑PBDD/Fs in this workshop were 948ngm−3, 317pgm−3 (14.5pg WHO-TEQm−3) and 481pgm−3 (91.3pg I-TEQm−3), respectively. BDEs-47, -99, and -209 were the dominant PBDE congeners, and the relatively high levels of octa- and nona-BDEs might be generated from the degradation of BDE-209. The levels of 2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs and 2,3,7,8-PBDD/Fs were much higher than those in the atmospheric environment, and concentrations of PBDD/Fs were higher than those of PCDD/Fs. These findings suggest that the primitive recycling method represents a strong source of halogenated organic pollutants to the ambient atmosphere of an e-waste recycling locale.