Organophosphate esters in airborne particles from subway stations

R Olivero-Verbel; T Moreno; J Fernández-Arribas; C Reche; M C Minguillón; V Martins; X Querol; B Johnson-Restrepo; E Eljarrat

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145105

Organophosphate esters in airborne particles from subway stations

Sci Total Environ. 2021 May 15:769:145105. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145105. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Authors

R Olivero-Verbel¹, T Moreno², J Fernández-Arribas², C Reche², M C Minguillón², V Martins², X Querol², B Johnson-Restrepo³, E Eljarrat⁴

Affiliations

¹ University of Atlántico, Engineering School, Agroindustrial Engineering Program, Barranquilla, Colombia; Environmental Chemistry Research Group, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, San Pablo University Campus, University of Cartagena, 130015 Cartagena, Colombia.
² Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA)-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
³ Environmental Chemistry Research Group, School of Exact and Natural Sciences, San Pablo University Campus, University of Cartagena, 130015 Cartagena, Colombia.
⁴ Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA)-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: ethel.eljarrat@idaea.csic.es.

PMID: 33485201
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145105

Abstract

For the first time, the concentrations of 19 organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from subway stations in Barcelona (Spain) to investigate their occurrence, contamination profiles and associated health risks. OPEs were detected in all PM2.5 samples with levels ranging between 1.59 and 202 ng/m³ (mean value of 39.9 ng/m³). Seventeen out of 19 tested analytes were detected, with TDClPP, TClPP and TCEP being those presenting the highest concentrations. OPE concentrations are not driven by the same factors that determine the ambient PM2.5 concentrations of other constituents in the subway. Newer stations presented higher OPE levels, probably due to the materials used in the design of the platforms, with greater use of modern plastic materials versus older stations with tiles and stones. Estimated daily intakes via airborne particles inhalation during the time expended in subway stations were calculated, as well as the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks (CR and non-CR), all being much lower than the threshold risk values. Thus, subway inhalation exposure when standing on the platform to OPE's per se is not considered to be dangerous for commuters.

Keywords: Human exposure; Indoor; Inhalation; Subway; TDClPP.