Pbdes Concentrations and Exposure Risks in Wastes from Construction and Demolition, Soft Furnishings, and End-of-Life Vehicles in Brazil

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used in consumer products, including electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, textiles, furniture and construction materials. They raise concerns due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential adverse health and environmental effects. This study reports concentrations of PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, -209) in 221 samples of construction and demolition (C&D), end-of-life vehicle (ELV), and soft furnishing waste in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. PBDEs were detected in all samples, with ΣPBDEs exceeding 1,000 mg/kg in 35 samples, 50 exceeding 500 mg/kg, and 90 exceeding 50 mg/kg. Additionally, an estimated 3,800 t of waste annually exceed 1000 mg ΣPBDEs/kg, 4,370 t exceed 500 mg/kg, and 20,070 t exceed 50 mg/kg. We also assessed human exposure via dermal contact with furniture fabrics and vehicle fabrics during their use phase. In some cases, where samples contained high concentrations of PentaBDEs and OctaBDEs, it was found that they could pose a risk to human health, as exposure estimates exceeded the reference doses established by the USEPA. These findings underscore the importance of effectively addressing contamination of consumer articles with PBDEs and implementing measures to reduce human exposure to these compounds.

Keywords: persistent organic pollutants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, flame retardants, dermal risk, Circular economy