• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.354-363
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• 2018

We examined the levels of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) including polybrominateddiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and phthalates in indoor dusts in residential houses in Korea, and their distribution patterns depending on building characteristics. Mean concentrations of phthalate esters ($1,825{\mu}g\;g^{-1}$) were significantly higher than that of BFRs (PBDE: $1,332ng\;g^{-1}$, HBCDs: $459ng\;g^{-1}$, and TBBPA: $213ng\;g^{-1}$), indicating more frequent use of phthalate-containing products such as PVC flooring in the Korean houses. PVC flooring house was associated with higher concentrations of DEHP (p = 0.001) and BBP (p = 0.012), indicating that exposure to phthalate was higher in the PVC flooring house. Building age was significantly related with levels of PBDEs especially BDE-47 (p = 0.062), BDE-203 (p = 0.007), DEHP (p = 0.004), and BBP (p = 0.070), respectively, indicating that older buildings can produce higher amounts of PBDEs and phthalates. Our study can provide important information on the sources of BFRs and phthalates in residential houses in Korea.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.346-359
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• 2002

The brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are one of the unregulated pollutants in Korea, which is recently highlighted the new pollutants of environmental contamination. In this study, the previous research papers related the BFRs were surveyed, and the analytical methods of BFRs were established. The results are followed; The 40 kinds of PBDEs standards were used to establish the analytical methods to perform the experiments of recoveries and detection limits in water and soil. The detection limits of PBDEs using GC/MS represented 5.0~10.0 pg/L for water and 0.5~2.0 ng/g for soil samples. The average recoveries of water samples were 89~98% with ethylacetate, n-hexane and dichloromethane, and 89~103% in combined solvent with n-hexane and acetone. In soxhlet extraction, the higher recoveries obtained the acetone:n-hexane(1:1) comparing with acetone:dichloromethane(1:1).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.413-417
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• 2003

The last few decades have seen drastic growth in the use of brominated flame retardants(BFRs). There is the problems of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins(PBDDS) and polybrominated dibenzofurans(PBDFs) generation as by-products in combustion process of BFRs. PBDDs/PBDFs are highlighted the new pollutants of environmental contamination, recently. In this study, the 10 kinds of PBDDs/PBDFs standards were used to perform the experiments of recoveries. The analysis of PBDDs/PBDFs in soil environmental samples. was carried out. In silica gel column cleanup, PBDDs/PBDFs eluted until 80mL of n-hexane, and the recovery was obtained 73∼105%. In multi-layer silica gel column cleanup, the recovery was obtained 56∼125% with various elution solvents. In alumina clean process, the standard mixture(PBDES, PBDDs/PBDFs) eluted the first fraction of 2% dichloromethane with n-hexane in the range of 0∼100mL, PBDEs compounds eluted in the second fraction of 50% dichloromethane with n-hexane. In activated carbon column cleanup, the PBBEs eluted to the first fraction(n-hexane) and second fraction(toluene), but PBDDs/PBDFs only eluted to the second fraction. The analytical methods of PBDDs/PBDFs for soil was established based on the experimental results of the environmental samples.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.435-442
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• 2011

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) which have taken much interest recently due to their potential hazardous effects to human body and ecosystem. Many countries and European community prohibits the usage of certain BFRs in electronics and electronic devices (e.g. RoHS). In this perspectives, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has designed and practiced proficiency testing programs based on the ISO/IEC 17043 in order to assist laboratory accreditation activities. The programs for interlaboratory comparisons include congeners of PBDE (PBDE-154, 183, 206, 209) in high impact polystyrene (HIPS). A sample bottle that contains 10 g granular HIPS was distributed to 35 participating laboratories and the test results were calculated by the statistical procedure using z-scores to evaluate performance of each laboratory. The results and the laboratory's performance were discussed.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2005

Brominated flame retardants have the market share of 40%, comparing others because of their low cost and highly effective retardation against the flame. However, their toxic effects in human and properties of the accumulation in the environments have been issued among the international organization such as EU, OECD and etc. It, therefore, was surveyed the classification, toxic effects, and the usage of Brominated flame retardants, the trends for their managements in the world and Korea, and their contaminated levels in Korean Peninsula. In addition, the management directions for them were proposed. Penta, octa, and deca-BDE among brominated retardants will seem to be prohibited by the regulation as a flame retardants for plastics in Europe because of their toxic effects. Although Penta and Octa BDEs was used marginally in Korea, deca-BDE was 27% of brominated flame retardants (49,050 ton) which had been used in 2002. However, risk assessment for brominated retardants might not launched in Korea, yet. These reports demonstrate that toxic brominated retardants such as PBDEs will be assessed for their usage and the level of contamination in the environment in the area of the point sources like the industrial areas, incinerators and etc. However, the law to regulate the hazardous chemicals seems not to be dictated the monitoring of their contamination in the environment. We, therefore, suggest how to evaluate and to monitor the toxic contaminants with EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) system. Further, to establish the management system of BFRs (such as the monitering of contamination levels in environments, life cycle assessment, and risk assessment for the toxic chemicals), It can be recommended the law to deal with the method analyzing chemicals will be established, which contains QA/QC (Quality Assurance and Quality Control) to evaluate the analytic capability of the companies to prepare EIS (Environment Impact Statement) or other institutes for analyzing chemicals.

• Journal of Korea Society of Waste Management
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.692-700
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• 2018

In this study, the results of PBDEs and HBCDs of the products and waste that contain BFRs such as domestic electronic products, automobiles and textile products were compared with international management standards, and their excess rates were calculated. Deca-BDE was detected among the PBDEs in TV rear cover plastics, car seats, automotive interior plastics, and automobile shredding residues of products and waste containing BFRs. The comparison with Basel Convention management standards (1,000 mg/kg) for PBDE-containing wastes (4 types in total) shows that the excess rate of all samples was less than 1.5%. The estimated excess rate compared to the EU and Basel convention management standards (1,000 mg/kg) for PBDEs (4 species + deca-BDE) and TV rear cover plastics was 37.5% (30 of 80 samples exceeded the standards). The estimated excess rate compared to the Basel convention management standards (1,000 mg/kg) for HBCD, building materials products and waste was 15.7% (17 of 108 samples exceeded the standards). In the case of PBDEs, it is necessary to remove only the rear cover of CRT TV among the electric and electronic products and treat it in the flame retardant treatment facility to improve the recycling collection system. In the case of HBCD, it is necessary to appropriately dispose of the recycled materials, heat insulation materials, TV plastics, and styrofoam in marine fishery among construction materials and restrict the use as recycled raw materials.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2013

Of all the brominated flame retardants (BFRs), TBBPA has the largest production volume (50% of the BFRs in current use). It is interest to investigate how they may degrade, because of it can pose an environmental hazard. By using UV-A (${\lambda}=352nm$ ), we have found that the UV-A irradiation increased the photodecomposition reaction rate of TBBPA in an intensity-dependent manner. We also observed 2,6-dibromo-p-benzosemiquinone radical ($a_{2H}=2.36G$, g = 2.0056) generated from TBBPA by reaction with singlet oxygen ($^1O_2$). On the other hand, when an aqueous preparation of HA was irradiated in the presence of TBBPA, the typical spectrum of semiquinone radical was detected by electron spin resonance (ESR). And then, we have found that the photodecomposition rate of TBBPA is decreased in depend on HA concentration. Radical formation and the reactive rate of TBBPA were inhibited by sodium azide used as a singlet oxygen quencher. Therefore we report that a similar $^1O_2$-induced oxidation can be initiate in aqueous solutions of TBBPA dissolved in humic acid (HA) by the UV-A irradiation (${\lambda}=352nm$). From these results, we suggest that the reaction rate of HA with $^1O_2$ is faster than that of TBBPA with $^1O_2$.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.443-458
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• 2008

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are chemical compounds that inhibit the combustion of organic materials by scavenging free radicals that would otherwise encourage the spread of flames. These compounds are found in a wide variety of materials including paints, plastics, textiles, furniture and electronics. Mounting evidence, however, suggests that the non-reactive BFRs can easily leach into the environment and pose significant environmental and health concerns. PBDDs/PBDFs are often formed in the process of manufacturing brominated flame retardants and from the combustion of waste products containing flame retardants BFR. Therefore, this paper describes the general characteristics, management status, residual concentration in environments and analytical method.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.255-263
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• 2012

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), which are used in a variety of consumer products. Several of those are produced in large quantities. Their chemical structure similarities to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as their toxicity, has been studied. PBDEs are persistent and lipophilic, which results in their bioaccumulation in the fatty tissues of organisms and enrichment throughout food chains. In addition, a number of studies also reported high levels of PBDEs in animals and food resulting from the use of contaminated animal feed Public concern about PBDEs levels in animals and food has been raised. Feed contamination by toxic chemicals has been the cause of the contamination of poultry products. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PBDEs in pig feed to search the origin chase of POPs in pigs. Feed samples were obtained wheat from East Europe, corn from South America and America, soybean meal from Korea, America, South America and India and tallow from Korea. The preparation of samples was based on the EPA method 1614. Instrumental analysis was based on the use of high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Quantification was carried out by the isotopic dilution method. The analysis of ${\Sigma}PBDEs$ involved 22 PBDE congeners, including BDE-17, 28, 47, 49, 66, 71, 77, 85, 99, 100, 119, 126, 138, 153, 154, 156, 183, 184, 190, 191, 196 and 197.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.242-249
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• 2012

Total 11 samples of sediments from the Geum river and the Nakdong river and its estuaries were analyzed to investigate the distribution characteristics of PBDEs and HBCD. Concentration of PBDEs in sediments ranged from 2.19~101.34 (average 30.70, median 20.91) ng/g-dw. The concentration range of PBDEs in river sediments is greater than those of estuary sediments. The HBCD concentration was ranged from N.D.~7.85 (average 1.47, median 0.32) ng/g-dw. HBCD concentrations compared with PBDEs are approximately 1/20 level, which is associated with low domestic usage. Isomer patterns of PBDEs and HBCD suggested that not only the use of commercial products, but the physicochemical properties of these materials, environmental degradation, and environmental behavior could affect the distribution characteristics of these chemicals and their isomers.