Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Indoor and Outdoor Air in Brisbane
Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) are compounds that are used as flame retardants. PBDEs are among a set of newly proposed emerging pollutants that may be included in the POPs treaty since they are relatively persistent, lipophilic, have been detected in remote environments and have a tendency to bioaccumulate. We have recently shown that levels of PBDEs in the Australian population are higher than in Europe and Asia and only lower than those in North America. The exposure pathways of humans to PBDEs remain unclear. Here we present results from the first Australian study on PBDEs in indoor and outdoor air. The current study involved the collection, processing and analysis of ten indoor air samples, two outdoor air samples and nine dust samples in order to assess background concentrations of BFRs from buildings with different characteristics. Furthermore we will present an estimation of daily intake of PBDEs via inhalation and other exposure pathways and discuss the role of air and dust intake on the human body burden at various life stages.