Issue 10, 2023

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) in atmospheric particulate matter in different Brazilian regions

Abstract

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) have been widely used as plasticizers. Current studies have shown that these compounds may constitute atmospheric particulate matter (PM), but no research has focused on detecting these substances in Brazil. Hence, our research aims to determine OPEs concentrations in 26 PM10 samples from three Brazilian cities in different regions. The substances found were tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCIPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBOEP), 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPHP) and tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (TEHP). In Catalão, the most abundant compounds were TNBP and TPHP, in Limeira TPHP and TEHP, and in Novo Hamburgo TEHP and TBOEP. Statistical analyses were performed to correlate the concentrations with meteorological variables. Results showed that temperature had a negative correlation with TBOEP, relative humidity had a negative correlation with TPHP and TEHP, atmospheric pressure had a positive correlation with TPHP, and wind speed had a significant influence on total and TPHP. Moreover, human exposure to these substances presents a negligible risk, for both children and adults.

Graphical abstract: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) in atmospheric particulate matter in different Brazilian regions

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Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
31 May 2023
Accepted
24 Aug 2023
First published
30 Aug 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023,3, 1533-1540

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) in atmospheric particulate matter in different Brazilian regions

P. B. Gonçalves, J. Cristale, A. A. da Silva, D. C. Nogarotto, D. M. M. Osório, L. L. Romualdo and S. A. Pozza, Environ. Sci.: Atmos., 2023, 3, 1533 DOI: 10.1039/D3EA00079F

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