Identification and spatial distribution of organophosphorus flame retardants in surface soils from typical petrochemical industry and flame retardant production parks in China

Abstract

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers in various industries. As for the petrochemical industry, many petrochemical products such as lubricant base oil, gasoline, etc., require the use of OPFRs in their production processes. However, the emission characteristics of OPFRs from the petrochemical industry are limited. Thus, this study investigated the OPFR characteristics from three petrochemical industry parks, as well as one flame-retardant manufacturing park. There were 196 samples collected and thirteen OPFRs were analyzed. The median OPFR concentrations were 5.29–12.3 and 2.62 ng/g in three petrochemical industry parks and the flame-retardant manufacturing park, respectively. The OPFR compositions differed between petrochemical industry parks and flame-retardant production park. Chlorinated-OPFRs (especially TCIPP) accounting for ≥64.2% of the composition of soil OPFRs and alkyl-OPFRs (80.5%) were the respective predominant congeners in the petrochemical industry parks and the flame-retardant manufacturing park. Spatial distribution analysis revealed OPFR pollution within the park's vicinity, extending toward the surrounding areas. Principal component analysis further revealed that OPFRs primarily originated from industrial emissions, polyurethane foam use, and oil-related emissions for the petrochemical industry parks. However, high concentrations were also found in residential areas, farmlands, and populated areas from the flame-retardant manufacturing park and surrounding areas, indicating other potential sources. Summarily, this study provided insight into the contamination characteristics of OPFRs from typical industrial parks and their surroundings.