Synopsis: This project will determine emission rates for brominated flame retardants from numerous building types. Included in the study will be 12 residential buildings, 10 commercial buildings and 10 industrial buildings. The sponsored research group will determine building air flow rates and make multiple measurements of brominated flame retardants in air and dust samples within the building and the air outside the building. This information will be used to determine the rate of efflux of these compounds from the building. Numerous building characteristics will be determined and the emission rates will be assessed for potential trends with certain building characteristics. The emission rates determined during the project will provide a much needed estimate of the overall input of these chemicals to the region’s air from buildings. Inclusion of multiple building types and characteristics will allow the range of building emission rates to be explored.

Chemicals Studied: Brominated flame retardants include numerous compounds used as additives to a wide range of commercial products. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are group of compounds used for this purpose and which have been detected in rapidly increasing concentrations in the Great Lakes basin and elsewhere in the world. In addition to these compounds, this study will examine the most widely used brominated flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A. Widespread use of these compounds in commercial and consumer products, such as electronics and furniture, among many others, makes buildings a likely source of emissions to the ambient environment.

Project Duration: The project will begin in the Spring of 2006 and will conclude in the Summer of 2008

Methods Used: At each of the study sites, eight samples will be collected: 2 of indoor air particles, 2 of indoor air gas, 2 of dust, and 1 each of outdoor particles and gas. This suite of samples will be collected twice at each of the residential sites to determine differences between winter and spring conditions. Following preparation, the samples will be analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy with selected ion monitoring. Each building will also be studied to determine its air exchange rate during the period of sampling using perfluorocarbon tracers.

Potential Results and Implications: This study will provide the best information to date regarding the emissions of brominated flame retardants in North America. As buildings are a primary source of emissions for these compounds, extrapolation of the results to the region and beyond will provide a reasonable estimate of the overall atmospheric emissions of these compounds. Such emissions information is the first step in efforts to determine the environmental pathways of these compounds and needed actions to reduce environmental concentrations

Project Contact:
Stuart A. Batterman, P.D.
University of Michigan School of Public Health
Phone: 734-763-2417
Email: stuartb@umich.edu