Halogenated flame retardants in atmospheric particles from a North African coastal city (Bizerte, Tunisia): Pollution characteristics and human exposure

Abstract

In the present study, atmospheric particle samples were collected between September 2015 and February 2016 from Bizerte city (Tunisia) to investigate the occurrence, potential sources and impacts of a range of flame retardants (FRs), including hexabromocyclododecane diastereoisomers (HBCDDs), new halogenated flame retardants (NHFRs), as well as methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs). Among 19 examined compounds, 9 congeners (α-HBCDD, β-HBCDD, γ-HBCDD, HBB, DBDPE, syn-DP, anti-DP, 2′-MeO-BDE-68 and 6-MeO-BDE-47) were detected in atmospheric particles at different levels and frequencies. Overall, the average concentration of NHFRs (1.53 pg m −3) was 1.5 and 51 folds higher than that of HBCDDs (1.04 pg m −3) and MeO-BDEs (0.03 pg m −3), respectively. By comparison with other areas of the world, NHFRs and HBCDDs in Bizerte were at medium pollution level, while MeO-BDEs were at lower levels. No significant correlations were found between NHFR, HBCDD and MeO-BDE concentrations, suggesting different sources related on one hand to the biogenic origin of MeO-BDE, and on the other hand to various types and utilisations of imported NHFR-and HBCDD-containing products, as Tunisia does not manufacture FRs. DP and HBCDD diastereoisomer profiles appeared to be divergent from their commercial products, pointing out that a complex degradation or stereoselective transformation processes occurring in ambient air around Bizerte city. The estimated daily human exposure dose (DED) to particle-bound HBCDDs, NHFRs and MeO-BDEs via outdoor air inhalation was generally at low levels. Hence, this study reports for the first time the occurrence and potential impact of HBCDDs, NHFRs and MeO-BDEs in atmospheric particles from North Africa.

Chemical composition and in vitro aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated activity of atmospheric particulate matter at an urban, agricultural and industrial site in North Africa (Bizerte, Tunisia)

“…A year-long sampling campaign was conducted in a North African city (Bizerte, Tunisia) which was affected by a considerable anthropogenic pressure in last decade due to the increase of urbanization, traffic density and economic activity, including agriculture, fishing and heavy industries. The chemical composition of atmospheric PM and its sources in Tunisia have been described previously (Castro-Jiménez et al, 2017;Castro-Jiménez and Sempéré, 2018;Barhoumi et al, 2018Barhoumi et al, , 2020; however, studies on atmospheric Hg PM and the toxicological effects of atmospheric PM are not available in Tunisia yet. Therefore, the objective of this study is to (1) investigate the concentration levels, seasonal variability and sources of Hg PM in Bizerte city, and (2) to assess the dioxin-like potency of atmospheric PM using an in vitro reporter gene assay (DR-CALUX).…”

Biomarkers responses and polybrominated diphenyl ethers and their methoxylated analogs measured in Sparus aurata from the Lagoon of Bizerte, Tunisia

“…The structural resemblance of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/DFs) caused a lot of concern in recent years about their persistence in the environment, biomagnification, and bioaccumulation, as well as their harmful effects on wildlife and humans health (Cruz et al 2020). Methoxylated brominated diphenyl ethers having a structure similar to the PBDEs have been extensively studied due to their toxic properties (thyroid hormone homeostasis disruptor, neurotoxic, oxidative phosphorylation disruptor, and estradiol synthesis alteration) (Ameur et al 2020) and exhibit a high biomagnification aptitude than PBDEs in the marine food chain (Barhoumi et al 2020).…”

Concentrations and isomer profiles of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in floor, elevated surface, and outdoor dust samples from Basrah, Iraq

“…34,35 In addition, several biomonitoring studies have detected HBCDDs in human tissues such as human milk, [36][37][38] serum, 39,40 and hair, 41,42 indicating human exposure to HBCDDs. The main routes via which such exposure occurs are: inhalation, 43 diet, 31,44 dust ingestion, [45][46][47] and dermal absorption. 48,49 Based on animal test results, exposure to HBCDDs are reported to cause different toxicological effects and present potential human health concerns.…”