Level and congener profiles of polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in the atmosphere of Beijing, China

Air samples were collected from six locations during the periods of February, 2011–March, 2012 in Beijing city. PBDD/Fs were analyzed using HRGC–HRMS. The concentrations, congener profiles, spatial distribution, seasonal variation, and inhalation risk assessment were investigated. The mass concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDD/Fs is 818–5748 fg m−3 with an average of 2490 fg m−3. The highest concentration was observed at site XS in February, 2011 and the lowest was at site BS in July 2011. The TEQ concentrations of PBDD/Fs ranged from 73.3 to 640 fg I-TEQ m−3, with an average of 190 fg I-TEQ m−3. The dominant contributor to total I-TEQ value is 2,3,4,7,8-PeBDF, with an average contribution of 35%. The PBDD/Fs at six sampling sites did not show obvious spatial variation. The concentration exhibits obvious seasonal variation, so atmospheric PBDD/F concentrations at six sample sites were much higher in winter than in summer. Residents in Beijing were exposed to PBDD/Fs with the daily inhalation doses being 39–138 fg I-TEQ kg−1 day−1 for adult and 69–245 fg TEQ kg−1 day−1 for children in winter, but in summer, the values were 10–33 for adult and 18–59 for children. The rough inhalation risk evaluation showed that the residents in Beijing had relatively higher exposure levels of PBDD/Fs in winter, so more research about PBDD/Fs should be carried out at once.