1. Concentrations of the predominant brominated flame retardants are presented in table 1 (Figure 1). PBDEs were found in all samples. Residues of BDE-47 (9 – 320 µg/kg dust), BDE-99 (10 – 170 µg/kg dust), BDE-100 (2.5 – 36 µg/kg dust), and BDE-153 (5 – 59 µg/kg dust) were found, and BDE-209 was predominant in all samples (260 – 6900 µg/kg dust). The highest levels were found in dust samples collected from Italy. The lowest levels of Brominated flame retardants in office dust samples Netherlands Institute for Fisheries Research (RIVO) P.E.G. Leonards, I. van der Veen, J. v. Hesselingen and J. de Boer P.O.Box 68, 1970 AB IJmuiden The Netherlands email: P.E.G.Leonards@rivo.wag-ur.nl Objectives Greenpeace Research Laboratories D. Santillo, K. Brigden and P. Johnston Department of Biological Sciences University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4 PS, United Kingdom, email: D.Santillo@exeter.ac.uk Figure 3: Analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of a dust sample collected at the Parliament in the Netherlands, yielding an ion mass chromatogram of selected bromine ion isotopes (m/z 79 and 81). 15.0020.0025.0030.0035.0040.0045.0050.0055.00 BDE-47 BDE-99 HBCD unknown Br- comp. BDE-100 BDE-85 BDE-154 BDE-153 BDE-138 unknown Br-comp. The main aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of brominated flame retardants (PBDEs, PBBs and HBCD) in office dusts and contribute to the understanding of the human exposure pathways for these compounds. Samples of dusts were collected in Parliament buildings in a total of 8 countries (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden and UK), and at one large internet/computer provider in The Netherlands during the year 2000. In all cases, samples of dust were obtained from the bags of vacuum cleaners in regular use for the purpose of cleaning the buildings in question. Samples were sieved (1.0 mm) to remove fibrous material and other large pieces. Dust was extracted with a Soxhlet apparatus, and the extracts were cleaned with GPC, silica gel and sulphuric acid, and finally analysed with GC-MS in the NCI mode. Materials and methods BDE-209 HBCD 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 µg/kg dust Results and Discussion 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 SalesHelpdeskServer room µg/kg dust BDE-209 HBCD Table 1: Levels of PBDEs and HBCD (µg/kg dust) in samples of dust. P= Parliament building, I= internet/computer provider. CountryTypeBDE-47BDE-85BDE-99BDE-100BDE-138BDE-153BDE-154+ BDE-209HBCD BB-153 Netherlands, Den HaagP977.4130303.54811800300 Finland, HelsinkiP1807.5160361.9229.41100<13 Sweden, StockholmP783.16819<0.49.85.070045 Italy, RomeP893.359152.3215.469008.6 Italy, RomeP11011.2170234.7599.24600<4 Denmark, CopenhagenP211.6275.0<0.36.15.247020 Denmark, CopenhagenP392.2408.30.768.53.033019 UK, LondonP475.162152.3238.0820540 UK, LondonP748.49725<0.04481311001650 UK, LondonP3206.69222<0.09318.945003700 UK, LondonP192.2298.2<0.0811<0.19550980 Austria, ViennaP665.568261.626113401800 Austria, ViennaP645.47223<0.04189.45101800 Germany, BerlinP802.95014<0.04176.31500940 Germany, BerlinP8.60.87123.4<0.034.8<0.07290820 NetherlandsI150.90153.90.89172.3490840 NetherlandsI10<0.06102.5<0.26.3<0.43301400 NetherlandsI170.99143.40.5131.0260<3 PBDEs were reported in the three samples from offices of the internet provider in The Netherlands (Table 1, Figure 2). In offices with computers Sjodin et al. (2001) found predominantly congener BDE-209. The presence of BDE-209 in air (particle associated) and dust are probably the most important human exposure pathways, as BDE-209 is unlikely to be taken up by food as the levels in e.g. fish are mainly below the limit of detection. In spite of the low bioaccumulation potential of BDE-209, the presence of this compound in the particulate fraction in air and dust can probably further explain why BDE-209 has been reported in the blood of humans (Sjodin et al., 1999). A noteworthy finding was the relatively high levels of HBCD in some dust samples. In 15 of 18 samples HBCD was detected, and the levels varied from <3 to 3700 µg/kg dust. In addition, a number of unknown brominated compounds were detected (Figure 3). In conclusion, this study showed that brominated flame retardants (PBDEs and HBCD) were present in office dust. The results demonstrate that the possibility of continuous exposure of these compounds via inhalation of particles in offices is potentially an important route of human exposure. Figure 1: Levels (µg/kg dust) of BDE-209 and HBCD in office dust. Figure 2: Levels of BDE-209 and HBCD in office dust of an internet provider from The Netherlands. References Sjodin et al. Environ. Sci. Techn. 2001, 35(3), 448-454. Sjodin et al. Environ. Health Persp., 1999, 107 (8), 643-648.