Atmospheric concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in passive air sampler from Batam Island, Indonesia

Abstract

Air contamination by semi volatile organic compounds including toxic polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) has been a matter of global concern due to the important atmospheric transportation in contribution to their widely distribution in environment. This study aims at elucidating the levels and spatial distribution of PBDEs in the atmosphere derived from polyurethane foam passive air sampler (PUF-PAS) and identify potential sources in Batam Island. Fifteen PUF-PAS were deployed in various locations representing different background activities. After deployment around 2.5 months, PUFs were analyzed for forty-two PBDEs congeners from mono- to deca-BDE congeners using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. PBDEs were widely detected ranging 7.2 – 2900 pg/m3. Significant high concentrations of PBDEs were found at public service areas than offices, residential and remote areas (p<0.05). In particular, high concentration was found in Marina Tanjung Riau (2900 pg/m3), whereas other locations were much lower including electronic shop (50 pg/m3), dumping site area (7.2-15 pg/m3), which indicating specific emission sources according to location. The PBDEs profiles are predominated by BDE-209 congener on average 81% (36-100) while other congeners were lower. This suggest that the presence of PBDEs in Batam Island is mainly due to the commercial formulation of Deca-BDE, of which consistent with its high consumption in Asia.