Concentrations of halogenated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls in house dust from Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) are regulated under the Stockholm Convention of the United Nations' Environment Programme; with similar concerns emerging about alternative halogenated flame retardants (alt-HFRs), the use of which is increasing as replacements for PBDEs and HBCDD. While the presence in indoor dust of PCBs, PBDEs, and HBCDDs has been reported previously in a few African locations including Lagos, Nigeria, we are unaware of similar data for alt-HFRs. The present study thus aimed to provide the first information on alt-HFRs in indoor dust in sub-Saharan Africa, and to evaluate the impact of restrictions on the use of PBDEs, HBCDD, and PCBs on their concentrations in house dust in Lagos, Nigeria. Concentrations of ∑8PBDEs, ∑HBCDDs, ∑7alt-HFRs, and ∑8PCBs in 15 samples of dust from homes in Lagos, Nigeria were found to be: 43-810 (median = 300) ng g-1,