Gas-particle partition and size-segregated distribution of flame retardants in indoor and outdoor air: Reevaluation on the role of fine particles in human exposure

In this study, we investigated the distribution of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants (BFRs and OPFRs) in the paired gaseous and nine size-segregated particulate samples collected from 8 typical indoor compartments and monthly outdoor in Xinxiang, China, respectively. For the indoor environments, total concentrations of FRs (Σ19FRs) in bulk air ranged from 3.9 ng/m3 to 37.5 ng/m3, with that in children recreation center (37.5 ng/m3) and furniture store (28.7 ng/m3) showing highest levels. In the outdoor air, Σ19FRs ranged from 3.1 ng/m3 to 13.6 ng/m3 among the 12 months, with that from late spring and summer being the highest. OPFRs had higher concentration than BFRs, with the total concentration of OPFRs accounting for 77%–99% of ∑19FRs. TCIPP (tris(chloroiso-propyl) phosphate), TCEP (tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate), TEP (triethyl phosphate) and DBDPE (decabromodiphenyl ethane), BDE-209 (decabromodiphenyl ether) were the predominant analogs. Specifically, BFRs tended to enrich in gas phase indoors and coarse particles (aerodynamic diameters >3.3 μm) outdoors, but OPFRs mainly distributed in coarse particles both indoors and outdoors. The size distribution patterns varied among FRs, with the higher volatile FRs (e.g., TCEP, TCIPP) distributed more uniformly across particulate size. Although the distribution patterns of FRs in air were driven by multiple factors, organic carbon and element carbon in particulate matter had an influence to a certain extent. Health risks from exposure to FRs were characterized via the hazard quotient approaches. The total noncarcinogenic risks of ∑16FRs from inhalation were higher than that from air to skin transport, and the risks resulted from coarse particle-bound ∑16FRs (>3.3 μm) and gas phase were both significantly higher than that from fine fraction (3.3 μm) or gaseous phase.•Human exposure to FRs via inhalation and air to skin transport were reported.•Fine particles might have been overemphasized in human exposure to airborne FRs.