Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Dust from Cars, Homes, and Offices in Lagos, Nigeria

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in dust from 16 cars, 12 homes, and 18 offices in Lagos, Nigeria. These data are the first and second reports... [ view full abstract ]

Concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in dust from 16 cars, 12 homes, and 18 offices in Lagos, Nigeria. These data are the first and second reports respectively of contamination of Nigerian indoor dust with PCBs and PBDEs, the second report on PCBs in car dust worldwide, and augment substantially the database available for the African continent. Highly elevated concentrations of BDE-47 and BDE-99 were observed in two car dust samples. At 9,300 and 3,700 ng/g for BDE-47 and 4,200 and 19,000 ng/g for BDE-99, they are amongst the highest reported for these congeners globally. ANOVA comparison with previously reported data for Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA; reveals concentrations of the Penta-BDE congeners BDEs 28, 49, 47, 66, 100, 99, 154, and 153 in house dust in this study to be significantly lower than in Canada and the USA, with those of BDE-49 and 154 in this study significantly lower than in New Zealand and the UK. While concentrations of BDE-183 in this study were statistically indistinguishable from those Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA; those of BDE-209 were exceeded significantly by those in the UK and the USA. Concentrations of PCBs in house dust in this study were statistically indistinguishable from those in Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA; except for PCB 180. Median concentrations of PCBs in cars in this study were higher than those in the only previous study. While median concentrations of PBDEs in cars in this study generally exceeded those in homes, the difference was significant only for BDEs 49, 154, and 197, with concentrations in cars also significantly greater than those in offices for BDEs 49 and 154. In contrast, concentrations of all target PCBs in offices exceeded those in cars.