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- Bogdal, Christian, et al.
(author)
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Emissions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Zurich, Switzerland, determined by a combination of measurements and modeling
- 2014
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In: Chemosphere. - : Elsevier BV. - 0045-6535 .- 1879-1298. ; 116, s. 15-23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used as flame retardants but they are of concern and are currently being phased-out because of their environmentally hazardous properties and their potential to cause adverse health effects. We analyzed PBDEs in Zurich, Switzerland, and applied a multimedia environmental fate model to back-calculate the rate of PBDE emission to air. PBDE concentrations in ambient air were measured in summer 2010 and winter 2011 in the city center of Zurich. Concentrations were higher in summer (sum PBDEs 118-591 pg m(-3)) than in winter (sum PBDEs 17-151 pg m(-3)), and are on the upper end of concentrations reported in literature for urban sites with no point sources of PBDEs. The emissions derived from our measurements (summer: 53-165 mu g capita(-1) d(-1), winter: 25-112 mu g capita(-1) d(-1)) and extrapolated to annual emissions for Switzerland (114-406 kg a(-1)) lie in the middle of ranges reported on the basis of substance flow analyses and emission inventories. The difference between summer and winter emissions is small compared to the difference that would be expected from the temperature dependence of PBDE vapor pressure, which would be consistent with emissions occurring to a large extent from flame-proofed materials located indoors under nearly constant temperature conditions and/or emissions to air occurring by suspension of particles containing PBDEs. Compared to previous studies in Switzerland, concentrations and emissions of PBDEs appear to have increased during the last five years with an increasing contribution of decabromodiphenyl ether, despite the addition of PBDEs to national and international regulations.
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2. |
- Bogdal, Christian, et al.
(author)
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Emissions of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins, and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans during 2010 and 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland
- 2014
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In: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 48:1, s. 482-490
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous contaminants of environmental and human health relevance, but their emissions into the environment are still poorly known. In this study, concentrations of selected POPs were measured in ambient air in Zurich, Switzerland, and interpreted with a multimedia mass balance model. The aim of the combination of measurements and modeling was to back-calculate atmospheric emission rates of POPs. Measurements were performed in summer 2010 and winter 2011 and target analytes included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Estimated emissions were higher in summer than in winter. Emission estimates for Zurich can be extrapolated to annual averages for Switzerland of 312 kg·a–1 (39 mg·capita–1·a–1), 53 kg·a–1 (7 mg·capita–1·a–1), and 3 kg·a–1 (0.4 mg·capita–1·a–1, 94 g WHO98-TEQ·a–1, 65 g I-TEQ·a–1) for the six indicator PCBs (iPCBs), the twelve coplanar dioxin-like PCBs (dlPCBs), and the 17 2,3,7,8-chlorosubstituted PCDD/Fs, respectively. The emission rates of iPCBs are in agreement with existing emission inventories, whereas for PCDD/Fs the emissions are five times higher than the estimates from the Swiss national emission inventory. Emissions of dlPCBs in Switzerland are presented here for the first time. Our study also provides the first seasonally resolved emission rates of POPs, which were determined with our combined measurement and modeling approach. These findings highlight the relevance of ongoing sources of POPs, even decades after regulations aiming to reduce or eliminate sources were established.
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3. |
- Wang, Zhanyun, et al.
(author)
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Atmospheric fate of poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) : II. Emission source strength in summer in Zurich, Switzerland
- 2012
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In: Environmental Pollution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0269-7491 .- 1873-6424. ; 169, s. 204-209
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs) are present in consumer products and are semi-volatile precursors of persistent perfluoroallcyl acids (PFAAs). The high variability of levels of FrOHs and FOSAs in products makes it difficult to derive FTOH- and FOSA-emissions from urban areas based on emission factors. Here we used a multimedia mass balance model that describes the day-night cycle of semi-volatile organic chemicals in air to interpret measurements of 8:2 FTOH, 10:2 FTOH, MeFOSA and EtFOSA from a sampling campaign in summer 2010 in Zurich, Switzerland. The estimated emission source strength of the four substances follows the sequence: 8:2 FTOH (2.6 g/h) > 10:2 FTOH (0.75 g/h) > MeFOSA (0.08 g/h) > EtFOSA (0.05 g/h). There is no FTOHs- or FOSAs-related industry in Zurich. Accordingly, our estimates are representative of diffusive emissions during use and disposal of consumer products, and describe noticeable sources of these PFASs to the environment.
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