Skip to main content
Log in

Occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust of different buildings in Bushehr port, Iran

  • Published:
Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Dust is a main source of different indoor contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) generally applied in buildings. This study is the first report on the levels of PCBs in the indoor dust of Bushehr port, Iran. PCBs were evaluated in 30 dust samples collected from homes, offices, and stores. A total of 10 PCB congeners were found in dust samples. The mean levels of PCBs in homes, offices, and stores were 3.46, 0.51, and 1.28 ng/g, respectively. PCB52 and 31 in homes with values of 0.78 and 0.31 ng/g had the highest levels of PCB congeners. Also, no significant difference was detected among the PCB contents of buildings with different applications in Bushehr. Furthermore, PCBs in indoor dust showed acceptable cancer risk (CR) for different age groups. Most CR was observed for infants and toddlers at homes and stores thorough dust ingestion as the main exposure route to PCBs in dust. Based on the results of this research, exposure to PCBs in indoor buildings may cause a high risk for people of different ages.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Abafe O, Martincigh B (2015) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust in Durban. South Africa Indoor Air 25(5):547–556

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abafe OA, Martincigh BS (2015) An assessment of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in the indoor dust of e-waste recycling facilities in South Africa: implications for occupational exposure. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:14078–14086

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmadkhaniha R, Nodehi RN, Rastkari N, Aghamirloo HM (2017) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) residues in commercial pasteurized cows’ milk in Tehran. Iran J Environ Health Sci Eng 15(1):1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmadloo M, Shariatifar N, Mahmoudi R, Qajarbeygi P, Moazzen M, Akbarzadeh A, Nazmara S, Dobaradaran S (2019) Assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls concentration in egg using GC-MS method. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 28(168):69–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Akhbarizadeh R, Dobaradaran S, Torkmahalleh MA, Saeedi R, Aibaghi R, Ghasemi FF (2021) Suspended fine particulate matter (PM2. 5), microplastics (MPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air: their possible relationships and health implications. Environ Res 192:110339

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali N, Van den Eede N, Dirtu AC, Neels H, Covaci A (2012) Assessment of human exposure to indoor organic contaminants via dust ingestion in Pakistan. Indoor Air 22(3):200–211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali N, Ali L, Mehdi T, Dirtu AC, Al-Shammari F, Neels H, Covaci A (2013) Levels and profiles of organochlorines and flame retardants in car and house dust from Kuwait and Pakistan: implication for human exposure via dust ingestion. Environ Int 55:62–70

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen HV, Gunnarsen L, Knudsen LE, Frederiksen M (2020) PCB in air, dust and surface wipes in 73 Danish homes. Int J Hyg Environ Health 229:113429

  • Andersson M, Ottesen R, Volden T (2004) Building materials as a source of PCB pollution in Bergen. Norway Sci Total Environ 325(1–3):139–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anezaki K, Kannan N, Nakano T (2015) Polychlorinated biphenyl contamination of paints containing polycyclic-and Naphthol AS-type pigments. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22:14478–14488

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anh HQ, Watanabe I, Minh TB, Tue NM, Viet PH, Takahashi S (2020) Polychlorinated biphenyls in settled dusts from an end-of-life vehicle processing area and normal house dusts in northern Vietnam: occurrence, potential sources, and risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 728:138823

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arfaeinia H, Asadgol Z, Ahmadi E, Seifi M, Moradi M, Dobaradaran S (2017) Characteristics, distribution and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in coastal sediments from the heavily industrialized area of Asalouyeh. Iran Water Sci Technol 76(12):3340–3350

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold K, Teixeira JP, Mendes A, Madureira J, Costa S, Salamova A (2018) A pilot study on semivolatile organic compounds in senior care facilities: implications for older adult exposures. Environ Pollut 240:908–915

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aslam I, Baqar M, Qadir A, Mumtaz M, Li J, Zhang G (2021) Polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust from urban dwellings of Lahore, Pakistan: congener profile, toxicity equivalency, and human health implications. Indoor Air 31(5):1417–1426

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Audy O, Melymuk L, Venier M, Vojta S, Becanova J, Romanak K, Vykoukalova M, Prokes R, Kukucka P, Diamond ML (2018) PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in indoor environments-a comparison of indoor contamination in Canada and Czech Republic. Chemosphere 206:622–631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breivik K, Sweetman A, Pacyna JM, Jones KC (2002) Towards a global historical emission inventory for selected PCB congeners—a mass balance approach: 2. Emissions Sci Total Environ 290(1–3):199–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burmaster DE, Thompson KM, Murray DM (1996) US Environmental Protection Agency’s exposure factors handbook SAB Review Draft EPA/600/P-95/002B a, b, c August 1996. Organization 1:17

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho FP, Villeneuve J, Cattini C, Tolosa I, Thuan DD, Nhan DD (2008) Agrochemical and polychlorobyphenyl (PCB) residues in the Mekong River delta. Vietnam Mar Pollut Bullet 56(8):1476–1485

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devanathan G, Isobe T, Subramanian A, Asante KA, Natarajan S, Palaniappan P, Takahashi S, Tanabe S (2012) Contamination status of polychlorinated biphenyls and brominated flame retardants in environmental and biota samples from India. In: Kawaguchi M, Misaki K, Sato H, Yokokawa T, Itai T, Nguyen TM, Ono J, Tanabe S (eds) Interdisciplinary studies on environmental chemistry-environmental pollution and ecotoxicology. TERRAPUB 269–277

  • Dirtu AC, Ali N, Van den Eede N, Neels H, Covaci A (2012) Country specific comparison for profile of chlorinated, brominated and phosphate organic contaminants in indoor dust. Case study for Eastern Romania, 2010. Environ Int 49:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • FarajiGhasemi F, Dobaradaran S, Saeedi R, Nabipour I, Nazmara S, RanjbarVakilAbadi D, Arfaeinia H, Ramavandi B, Spitz J, Mohammadi MJ (2020) Levels and ecological and health risk assessment of PM2. 5-bound heavy metals in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27(5):5305–5313

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Frederiksen M, Andersen HV, Haug LS, Thomsen C, Broadwell SL, Egsmose EL, Kolarik B, Gunnarsen L, Knudsen LE (2020) PCB in serum and hand wipes from exposed residents living in contaminated high-rise apartment buildings and a reference group. Int J Hyg Environ Health 224:113430

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghadrshenas A, Tabatabaie T, Amiri F, Pazira AR (2022) Distribution, source finding, ecological hazard assessment and water-sediment exchange rate of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) in South Pars Industrial Zone, Iran. 195(1):157

  • Goudarzi G, Baboli Z, Moslemnia M, Tobekhak M, Tahmasebi Birgani Y, Neisi A, Ghanemi K, Babaei AA, Hashemzadeh B, Ahmadi Angali K (2021) Assessment of incremental lifetime cancer risks of ambient air PM10-bound PAHs in oil-rich cities of Iran. J Environ Health Sci Eng 19(1):319–330

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Habibullah-Al-Mamun M, Ahmed M, Islam M, Hossain A, Tokumura M, Masunaga S (2019) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in commonly consumed seafood from the coastal area of Bangladesh: occurrence, distribution, and human health implications. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26(2):1355–1369

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrad S, Ibarra C, Robson M, Melymuk L, Diamond M, Douwes J (2009) Polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust from Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States: implications for human exposure. Chemosphere 76(2):232–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harrad S, Goosey E, Desborough J, Abdallah MA-E, Roosens L, Covaci A (2010) Dust from UK primary school classrooms and daycare centers: the significance of dust as a pathway of exposure of young UK children to brominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls. Environ Sci Technol 44(11):4198–4202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heinzow B, Mohr S, Ostendorp G, Kerst M, Körner W (2007) PCB and dioxin-like PCB in indoor air of public buildings contaminated with different PCB sources–deriving toxicity equivalent concentrations from standard PCB congeners. Chemosphere 67(9):1746–1753

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hwang H-M, Park E-K, Young TM, Hammock BD (2008) Occurrence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in indoor dust. Sci Total Environ 404(1):26–35

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iwegbue CM, Eyengho SB, Egobueze FE, Odali EW, Tesi GO, Nwajei GE, Martincigh BS (2019) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust from electronic repair workshops in southern Nigeria: implications for onsite human exposure. Sci Total Environ 671:914–927

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jafarabadi AR, Bakhtiari AR, Mitra S, Maisano M, Cappello T, Jadot C (2019) First polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) monitoring in seawater, surface sediments and marine fish communities of the Persian Gulf: distribution, levels, congener profile and health risk assessment. Environ Pollut 253:78–88

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Javedankherad I, Esmaili-Sari A, Bahramifar N (2013) Levels and distribution of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in water and sediment from the international Anzali Wetland, north of Iran. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 90(3):285–290

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson-Restrepo B, Kannan K (2009) An assessment of sources and pathways of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the United States. Chemosphere 76(4):542–548

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kang Y, Yin Y, Man Y, Li L, Zhang Q, Zeng L, Luo J, Wong MH (2013) Bioaccessibility of polychlorinated biphenyls in workplace dust and its implication for risk assessment. Chemosphere 93(6):924–930

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kashfi FS, Ramavandi B, Arfaeinia H, Mohammadi A, Saeedi R, De-la-Torre GE, Dobaradaran S (2022) Occurrence and exposure assessment of microplastics in indoor dusts of buildings with different applications in Bushehr and Shiraz cities Iran. Sci Total Environ 829:154651

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knobeloch L, Turyk M, Imm P, Anderson H (2012) Polychlorinated biphenyls in vacuum dust and blood of residents in 20 Wisconsin households. Chemosphere 86(7):735–740

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kohler M, Tremp J, Zennegg M, Seiler C, Minder-Kohler S, Beck M, Lienemann P, Wegmann L, Schmid P (2005) Joint sealants: an overlooked diffuse source of polychlorinated biphenyls in buildings. Environ Sci Technol 39(7):1967–1973

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kolarik B, Frederiksen M, Meyer HW, Ebbehøj NE, Gunnarsen LB (2016) Investigation of the importance of tertiary contamination, temperature and human behaviour on PCB concentrations in indoor air. Indoor Built Environ 25(1):229–241

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar B, Verma VK, Kumar S, Sharma CS (2013) Probabilistic health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in urban soils from a tropical city of India. J Environ Sci Health, Part A 48(10):1253–1263

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuusisto S, Lindroos O, Rantio T, Priha E, Tuhkanen T (2007) PCB contaminated dust on indoor surfaces–health risks and acceptable surface concentrations in residential and occupational settings. Chemosphere 67(6):1194–1201

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin C, Zeng Z, Xu R, Liang W, Guo Y, Huo X (2022) Risk assessment of PBDEs and PCBs in dust from an e-waste recycling area of China. Sci Total Environ 803:150016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Man YB, Sun XL, Zhao YG, Lopez BN, Chung SS, Wu SC, Cheung KC, Wong MH (2010) Health risk assessment of abandoned agricultural soils based on heavy metal contents in Hong Kong, the world’s most populated city. Environ Int 36(6):570–576

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masjedi MR, Taghizadeh F, HamzehAli S, Ghaffari S, Ahmadi E, Dobaradaran S, Ramavandi B, Tahergorabi M, Arfaeinia H (2020) Load characteristics, in vitro bioaccessibility and health risk assessment of PM2. 5-bounded heavy metals in indoor air of waterpipe and/or cigarette cafes compared to smoking-free cafes. Environ Pollutants Bioavailab 32(1):56–67

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mehdinia A, Bateni F, Vaighan DJ, Fumani NS (2021) Occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in marine sediment of Makran region, Chabahr bay. Iran Mar Pollut Bullet 164:112038

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Momtazan M, Geravandi S, Rastegarimehr B, Valipour A, Ranjbarzadeh A, Yari AR, Dobaradaran S, Bostan H, Farhadi M, Darabi F (2018) An investigation of particulate matter and relevant cardiovascular risks in Abadan and Khorramshahr in 2014–2016. Toxin Rev 38(4):290–297

  • Nematollahi MJ, Zarei F, Keshavarzi B, Zarei M, Moore F, Busquets R, Kelly FJ (2022) Microplastic occurrence in settled indoor dust in schools. Sci Total Environ 807:150984

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ranjbaran S, Sobhanardakani S, Cheraghi M, Lorestani B, Sadr MK (2021) Ecological and human health risks assessment of some polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface soils of central and southern parts of city of Tehran. Iran J Environ Health Sci Eng 19(2):1491–1503

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sari MF, Esen F, Del Aguila DAC, Karakus PBK (2020) Passive sampler derived polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in indoor and outdoor air in Bursa, Turkey: levels and an assessment of human exposure via inhalation. Atmos Pollut Res 11(6):71–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Seifi M, Yunesian M, Naddafi K, Nabizadeh R, Dobaradaran S, Ziyarati MT, Nazmara S, Yekaninejad MS, Mahvi AH (2022) Exposure to ambient air pollution and socio-economic status on intelligence quotient among schoolchildren in a developing country. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29(2):2024–2034

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shabankarehfard E, Ostovar A, Farrokhi S, Naeimi B, Zaeri S, Nazmara S, Keshtkar M, Sadeghzadeh F, Dobaradaran S (2017) Air-and dust-borne fungi in indoor and outdoor home of allergic patients in a dust-storm-affected area. Immunol Invest 46(6):577–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shahbazi A, Bahramifar N, Smolders E (2012) Elevated concentrations of pesticides and PCBs in soils at the Southern Caspian Sea (Iran) are related to land use. Soil Sediment Contam: Int J 21(2):160–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takigami H, Suzuki G, Hirai Y, Sakai S-I (2009) Brominated flame retardants and other polyhalogenated compounds in indoor air and dust from two houses in Japan. Chemosphere 76(2):270–277

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tan J, Cheng SM, Loganath A, Chong YS, Obbard JP (2007) Selected organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in house dust in Singapore. Chemosphere 68(9):1675–1682

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tashakor M, Behrooz RD, Asvad SR, Kaskaoutis DG (2022) Tracing of heavy metals embedded in indoor dust particles from the industrial city of Asaluyeh, South of Iran. Int J Environ Res Public Health 19(13):7905

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (2014) Method 3620C (Florisil Cleanup), revision 4. Test methods for evaluating solid waste, SW-846, United States environmental protection agency, 3rd edn. US Government Printing Office, Washington

  • USEPA (2001) Risk assessment guidance for superfund: volume III-part a. Process for Conducting Probabilistic Risk Assessment. III.

  • USEPA (2011) Exposure factors handbook 2011 edition (final). US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • Wang W, Huang M-J, Zheng J-S, Cheung KC, Wong MH (2013) Exposure assessment and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contained in indoor and outdoor dusts and the impacts of particle size and bioaccessibility. Sci Total Environ 463:1201–1209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X, Banks AP, He C, Drage DS, Gallen CL, Li Y, Li Q, Thai PK, Mueller JF (2019) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and legacy and current pesticides in indoor environment in Australia–occurrence, sources and exposure risks. Sci Total Environ 693:133588

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weschler CJ (2009) Changes in indoor pollutants since the 1950s. Atmos Environ 43(1):153–169

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead TP, Nuckols JR, Ward MH, Rappaport SM (2012) Carpet-dust chemicals as measures of exposure: implications of variability. Emerg Themes Epidemiol 9(1):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitehead TP, Brown FR, Metayer C, Park J-S, Does M, Dhaliwal J, Petreas MX, Buffler PA, Rappaport SM (2014) Polychlorinated biphenyls in residential dust: sources of variability. Environ Sci Technol 48(1):157–164

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wittsiepe J, Fürst P, Wilhelm M (2007) The 2005 World Health Organization re-evaluation of TEFs for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds—what are the consequences for German human background levels? Int J Hyg Environ Health 210(3–4):335–339

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav IC, Devi NL, Li J, Zhang G (2020) Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorines pesticides in indoor dust: an exploration of sources and health exposure risk in a rural area (Kopawa) of Nepal. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 195:110376

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research was financially supported by the Bushehr University of Medical Sciences (grant no. 133).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Fatemeh Faraji Ghasemi: writing—original draft; sampling and investigation. Azam Mohammadi: writing—review and editing; analysis; software. Gabriel E. De-la-Torre: writing—review and editing. Reza Saeedi: writing—review and editing. Sina Dobaradaran: conceptualization; methodology; data curation; supervision; project administration; writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sina Dobaradaran.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

All authors have read the manuscript and have agreed to submit it in its current form for consideration for publication in the journal.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ghasemi, F.F., Mohammadi, A., De-la-Torre, G.E. et al. Occurrence of polychlorinated biphenyls in indoor dust of different buildings in Bushehr port, Iran. Air Qual Atmos Health (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-024-01521-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-024-01521-6

Keywords

Navigation