PM_2.5-Bound Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Hong Kong: Occurrence, Origins, and Source-Specific Health Risks.

ABSTRACT: Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are emerging organic pollutants in PM_2.5, which have caused significant public health concerns in recent years, given their potential carcinogenic and neurotoxic effects. However, studies on the sources, occurrence, and health risk assessment of PM_2.5-bound OPFRs in Hong Kong are lacking. To address this knowledge gap, we characterized 13 OPFRs in one-year PM_2.5 samples using gas chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Our findings showed that OPFRs were present at a median concentration of 4978 pg m^-3 (ranging from 1924 to 8481 pg m^-3), with chlorinated OPFRs dominating and accounting for 82.7% of the total OPFRs. Using characteristic source markers and

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10537441 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature