Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products, indoor dust, sediment and fish from informal e-waste recycling sites in Vietnam: a comprehensive assessment of contamination, accumulation pattern, emissions, and human exposure

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Residue concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in different kinds of samples including consumer products, indoor dust, sediment and fish collected from two e-waste recycling sites, and some industrial, urban and suburban areas in Vietnam were determined to provide a comprehensive assessment of the contamination levels, accumulation pattern, emission potential and human exposure through dust ingestion and fish consumption. There was a large variation of PBDE levels in plastic parts of obsolete electronic equipment (from 1730 to 97,300 ng/g), which is a common result observed in consumer plastic products reported elsewhere. PBDE levels in indoor dust samples collected from e-waste recycling sites ranged from 250 to 8740 ng/g, which were markedly higher than those in industrial areas and household offices. Emission rate of PBDEs from plastic parts of disposed electronic equipment to dust was estimated to be in a range from 3.4 × 10−7 to 1.2 × 10−5 (year−1) for total PBDEs and from 2.9 × 10−7 to 7.2 × 10−6 (year−1) for BDE-209. Some fish species collected from ponds in e-waste recycling villages contained elevated levels of PBDEs, especially BDE-209, which were markedly higher than those in fish previously reported. Overall, levels and patterns of PBDE accumulation in different kinds of samples suggest significant emission from e-waste sites and that these areas are potential sources of PBDE contamination. Intakes of PBDEs via fish consumption were generally higher than those estimated through dust ingestion. Intake of BDE-99 and BDE-209 through dust ingestion contributes a large proportion due to higher concentrations in dust and fish. Body weight normalized daily intake through dust ingestion estimated for the e-waste recycling sites (0.10–3.46 ng/day/kg body wt.) were in a high range as compared to those reported in other countries. Our results highlight the potential releases of PBDEs from informal recycling activities and the high degree of human exposure and suggest the need for continuous investigations on environmental pollution and toxic impacts of e-waste-related hazardous chemicals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Besis, A., & Samara, C. (2012). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the indoor and outdoor environments—A review on occurrence and human exposure. Environmental Pollution, 169, 217–229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Binelli, A., Sarkar, S. K., Chatterjee, M., Riva, C., Parolini, M., Bhattacharya, B., et al. (2007). Concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediment cores of Sundarban mangrove wetland, northeastern part of Bay of Bengal (India). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 54, 1220–1229.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF). (2003). Major brominated flame retardants volume estimates. Total market demand by region in 2001. http://www.bsef-site.com/bromine/our_industry/. Accessed 8 Jan 2013.

  • Chan, J. K. Y., Man, Y. B., Wu, S. C., & Wong, M. H. (2013). Dietary intake of PBDEs of residents at two major electronic waste recycling sites in China. Science of the Total Environment, 463–464, 1138–1146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Covaci, A., Harrad, S., Abdallah, M. A.-E., Ali, N., Law, R. J., Herzke, D., et al. (2011). Novel brominated flame retardants: A review of their analysis, environmental fate and behaviour. Environment International, 37, 532–556.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cunha, S. C., Kalachova, K., Pulkrabova, J., Fernandes, J. O., Oliveira, M. B. P. P., Alves, A., et al. (2010). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contents in house and car dust of Portugal by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Chemosphere, 78, 1263–1271.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eguchi, A., Isobe, T., Ramu, K., & Tanabe, S. (2011). Optimisation of the analytical method for octa-, nona- and decabrominated diphenyl ethers using gas chromatography—Quadrupole mass spectrometry and isotope dilution. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 91, 348–356.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frederiksen, M., Vorkamp, K., Thomsen, M., & Knudsen, L. E. (2009). Human internal and external exposure to PBDEs—A review of levels and sources. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 212, 109–134.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fromme, H., Hilger, B., Kopp, E., Miserok, M., & Völkel, W. (2014). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and “novel” brominated flame retardants in house dust in Germany. Environment International, 64, 61–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu, J., Wang, Y., Zhang, A., Zhang, Q., Zhao, Z., Wang, T., et al. (2011). Spatial distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in an e-waste dismantling region in Southeast China: Use of apple snail (Ampullariidae) as a bioindicator. Chemosphere, 82, 648–655.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Y., Tang, H. L., Meng, X. Z., Mai, B. X., & Zeng, Y. P. (2007). Tissue distribution of PBDEs in Mandarin Fish. Environmental Sciences, 28, 2806–2810.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrad, S., Ibarra, C., Diamond, M., Melymuk, L., Robson, M., Douwes, J., et al. (2008). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in domestic indoor dust from Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States. Environment International, 34, 232–238.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hien, P. T., Tue, N. M., Suzuki, G., Takahashi, S., & Tanabe, S. (2012). Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fishes collected from Tam Giang—Cau Hai Lagoon, Vietnam. In M. Kawaguchi, K. Misaki, H. Sato, T. Yokokawa, T. Itai, T. M. Nguyen, J. Ono & S. Tanabe (Eds.), Interdisciplinary studies on environmental chemistry—Environmental pollution and ecotoxicology (pp. 221–227). Tokyo: TERRAPUB.

  • Ilyas, M., Sudaryanto, A., Setiawan, I. E., Riyadi, A. S., & Isobe, T. (2013). Characterization of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated flame retardants in sludge, sediment and fish from municipal dumpsite at Surabaya, Indonesia. Chemosphere, 93, 1500–1510.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jones-Otazo, H., Clarke, J. P., Diamond, M. L., Archbold, J. A., Ferguson, G., Harner, T., et al. (2005). Is house dust the missing exposure pathway for PBDEs? An analysis of the urban fate and human exposure to PBDEs. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 5121–5130.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kajiwara, N., Noma, Y., & Takigami, H. (2011). Brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in selected consumer products on the Japanese market in 2008. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 192, 1250–1259.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalachova, K., Hradkova, P., Lankova, D., Hajslova, J., & Pulkrabova, J. (2012). Occurrence of brominated flame retardants in household and car dust from the Czech Republic. Science of the Total Environment, 441, 182–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kierkegaard, A., Balk, L., Tjärnlund, U., de Wit, C. A., & Jansson, B. (1999). Dietary uptake and biological effects of decabromodiphenyl ether in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Environmental Science and Technology, 33(10), 1612–1617.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y.-J., Osako, M., & Sakai, S. (2006). Leaching characteristics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from flame-retardant plastics. Chemosphere, 65, 506–513.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Król, S., Zabiegała, B., & Namieśnik, J. (2012). PBDEs in environmental samples: Sampling and analysis. Talanta, 93, 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwan, C. S., Takada, H., Mizukawa, K., Saha, M., Rinawati, & Santiago, E. C. (2013). Sedimentary PBDEs in urban areas of tropical Asian countries. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 76, 95–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law, K., Dorson, T., Danell, R., Stern, G., Wurtz, S., Alaee, M., et al. (2006). Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of some brominated flame retardants in a lake Winnipeg (Canada) food web. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25(8), 2177–2186.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S., Kannan, L., & Moon, H.-B. (2013). Assessment of exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) via seafood consumption and dust ingestion in Korea. Science of the Total Environment, 443, 24–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Q., Yan, C., Luo, Z., & Zhang, X. (2010). Occurence and levels of polybrominated ethers (PBDEs) in recent sediments and marine organisms from Xiamen offshore areas, China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60, 464–469.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y. P., Li, J. G., Zhao, Y. F., Wen, S., Huang, F. F., & Wu, Y. N. (2011). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in marine fish from four areas of China. Chemosphere, 83, 168–174.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Q., Cai, Z. W., & Wong, M. H. (2007). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish and sediment from river polluted by electronic waste. Science of the Total Environment, 383, 115–127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mai, B., Chen, S., Luo, X., Chen, L., Yang, Q., Sheng, G., et al. (2005). Distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments of the Pearl River Delta and Adjacent South China Sea. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 3521–3527.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mai, P. T. N., Thuong, N. V., Tham, T. T., Hoang, N. K., Anh, H. Q., Tri, T. M., et al. (2015). Distribution, accumulation profile, and risk assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediment from lake and river systems in Hanoi Metropolitan Area, Vietnam. Environmental Science and Pollution Research,. doi:10.1007/s11356-015-5235-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsukami, H., Tue, N. M., Suzuki, G., Someya, M., Tuyen, L. H., Viet, P. H., et al. (2015). Flame retardant emission from e-waste recycling operation in northern Vietnam: Environmental occurrence of emerging organophosphorus esters used as alternatives for PBDEs. Science of the Total Environment, 514, 492–499.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minh, N. H., Minh, T. B., Kajiwara, N., Kunisue, T., Iwata, H., Viet, P. H., et al. (2006). Contamination by polybrominated ethers and persistent organochlorines in catfish and feed from Mekong River Delta, Vietnam. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 25, 2700–2709.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Health (MOH), & National Institute of Nutrition. (2010). General nutrition survey 2009–2010. Hanoi: Medical Publishing House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moon, H. B., Choi, M., Yu, J., Jung, R. H., & Choi, H. G. (2012). Contamination and potential sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in water and sediment from the artificial Lake Shihwa, Korea. Chemosphere, 88, 837–843.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moon, H. B., Kannan, K., Lee, S., & Choi, M. (2007). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediment and bivalves from Korean coastal waters. Chemosphere, 66, 243–251.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muenhor, D., Harrad, S., Ali, N., & Covaci, A. (2010). Brominatedflame retardants (BFRs) in air and dust from electronic waste storage facilities in Thailand. Environment International, 36, 690–698.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ni, K., Lu, Y., Wanga, T., Kannan, K., Gosensa, J., Xu, L., et al. (2013). A review of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in China. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 216, 607–623.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olukunle, O. I., Okonkwo, O. J., Sha’ato, R., & Wase, G. A. (2015). Levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor dust and human exposure estimates from Makurdi, Nigeria. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 120, 394–399.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J.-E., Kang, Y.-Y., Kim, W.-I., Jeon, T.-W., Shin, S.-K., Jeonga, M.-J., et al. (2014). Emission of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in use of electric/electronic equipment and recycling of e-waste in Korea. Science of the Total Environment, 470–471, 1414–1421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramu, K., Kajiwara, N., Sudaryanto, A., Isobe, T., Takahashi, S., Subramanian, A., et al. (2007). Asian Mussel Watch Program: Contamination status of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organochlorines in coastal waters of Asian Countries. Environmental Science and Technology, 41, 4580–4586.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Romano, S., Piazza, R., Mugnai, C., Giuliani, S., Bellucci, L. G., Cu, N. H., et al. (2013). PBDEs and PCBs in sediments of the Thi Nai Lagoon (Central Vietnam) and soils from its mainland. Chemosphere, 90, 2396–2402.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai, S., Hirai, Y., Aizawa, H., Ota, S., & Muroishi, Y. (2006). Emission inventory of deca-brominated diphenyl ether (DBDE) in Japan. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 8, 56–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shanmuganathan, D., Megharaj, M., Chen, Z., & Naidu, R. (2011). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine foodstuffs in Australia: Residue levels and contamination status of PBDEs. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 63, 154–159.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sjödin, A., Päpke, O., McGahee, E., Focant, J.-F., Jones, R. S., Pless-Mulloli, T., et al. (2008). Concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in household dust from various countries. Chemosphere, 73, S131–S136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stapleton, H. M., Dodder, N. G., Offenberg, J. H., Schanta, M. M., & Wise, S. A. (2005). Polybrominated diphenyl ether in house dust and clothes dryer lint. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 925–931.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stasinska, A., Reid, A., Hinwood, A., Stevenson, G., Callan, A., Odland, J. Ø., et al. (2013). Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in residential dust samples from Western Australia. Chemosphere, 91, 187–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, J., Cheng, S. M., Loganath, A., Chong, Y. S., & Obbard, J. P. (2007). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in house dust in Singapore. Chemosphere, 66, 985–992.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tue, N. M., Sudaryanto, A., Minh, T. B., Isobe, T., Takahashi, S., Viet, P. H., et al. (2010). Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated flame retardants in breast milk from women living in Vietnamese e-waste recycling sites. Science of the Total Environment, 408, 2155–2162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tue, N. M., Takahashi, S., Suzuki, G., Isobe, T., Viet, P. H., Kobara, Y., et al. (2013). Contamination of indoor dust and air by polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated flame retardants and relevance of non-dietary exposure in Vietnamese informal e-waste recycling sites. Environment International, 51, 160–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ueno, D., Isobe, T., Ramu, K., Tanabe, S., Alaee, M., Marvin, C., et al. (2010). Spatial distribution of hexabromocyclo dodecanes (HBCDs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorines in bivalves from Japanese coastal waters. Chemosphere, 78, 1213–1219.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). (2012). Guidance document submission: Flexible polyurethane foam waste management and Recycling. http://www.pfa.org/Library/UNIDO_PFA_submission_rev_05102012.pdf. Accessed 11 June 2014. 

  • Wang, J., Ma, Y. J., Chen, S. J., Tian, M., Luo, X. J., & Mai, B. X. (2010). Brominated flame retardants in house dust from e-waste recycling and urban areas in South China: Implications on human exposure. Environment International, 36(6), 535–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe, I., & Sakai, S. (2003). Environmental release and behavior of brominated flame retardants. Environment International, 29, 665–682.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilford, B. H., Shoeib, M., Harner, T., Zhu, J. P., & Jones, K. C. (2005). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in indoor dust in Ottawa, Canada: Implications for sources and exposure. Environmental Science and Technology, 39, 7027–7035.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO). (1994). International programme on chemical safety. Environmental Health Criteria 162—Brominated diphenyl ethers.

  • Wu, J. P., Luo, X. J., Zhang, Y., Luo, Y., Chen, S. J., Mai, B. X., et al. (2008). Bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in wild aquatic species from an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling site in South China. Environment International, 34, 1109–1113.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, Y.-X., Pang, Y.-P., Li, C., Li, J.-L., Zhang, X.-Y., Yu, Z.-Q., et al. (2012). Concentrations and seasonal variations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in in- and out-house dust and human daily intake via dust ingestion corrected with bioaccessibility of PBDEs. Environment International, 42, 124–131.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J., Jiang, Y., Zhou, J., Wu, B., Liang, Y., Peng, Z., et al. (2010). Elevated body burdens of PBDEs, dioxins, and PCBs on thyroid hormone homeostasis at an electronic waste recycling site in China. Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 3956–3962.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the Project “Assessment of emission and environmental pollution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—a new and emerging class of persistent organic pollutants” (No. 104.07-2012.740) from National Foundation for Science and Technology Development of Vietnam (NAFOSTED). We also wish to thank Prof. Alexander Scheeline, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, USA, for critical reading of this manuscript. Support from the program “Updating the National Implementation Plan for Persistent Organic Pollutants in Vietnam” by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Chemistry, VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 19 Le Thanh Tong Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Hoang Quoc Anh, Tran Manh Tri, Nguyen Manh Ha, Pham Thi Ngoc Mai & Tu Binh Minh

  2. Center for Training, Consultancy and Technology Transfer, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Road, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Vu Duc Nam

  3. Center for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development (CETASD), VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Thuy Ngoc & Duong Hong Anh

  4. Center for Environmental Monitoring, Vietnam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 556 Nguyen Van Cu Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Hung Minh

  5. Pollution Control Department, Vietnam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 10 Ton That Thuyet Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nguyen Anh Tuan

Authors
  1. Hoang Quoc Anh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vu Duc Nam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tran Manh Tri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nguyen Manh Ha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Nguyen Thuy Ngoc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Pham Thi Ngoc Mai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Duong Hong Anh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Nguyen Hung Minh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Nguyen Anh Tuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Tu Binh Minh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tu Binh Minh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Anh, H.Q., Nam, V.D., Tri, T.M. et al. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in plastic products, indoor dust, sediment and fish from informal e-waste recycling sites in Vietnam: a comprehensive assessment of contamination, accumulation pattern, emissions, and human exposure. Environ Geochem Health 39, 935–954 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9865-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-016-9865-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation