Perfluorinated compounds in the Asian atmosphere.
Jun Li1, Sabino Del Vento, Jasmin Schuster
1State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China. junli@gig.ac.cn
Environmental Science & Technology
|August 2, 2011
Summary
This study mapped per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Asia, finding concentrations decreased from urban to remote areas. Asian PFAS emissions contribute to global pollution, impacting remote regions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Atmospheric Science
- Pollution Monitoring
Background:
- Growing concern over perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) production and use in Asia.
- Understanding Asian contributions to long-range transport of PFCs to remote regions like the Arctic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a spatial survey of PFCs across China, India, and Japan in 2009.
- To analyze the types and concentrations of various PFCs, including fluorotelomer olefins (FTOs), acrylates (FTAs), alcohols (FTOHs), sulfonamides, and sulfonamidoethanols.
Main Methods:
- Utilized passive air samplers for spatial survey of PFCs.
- Analyzed target analytes including FTOs, FTAs, FTOHs, sulfonamides, and sulfonamidoethanols.
- Compared PFC concentrations across urban, rural, and remote locations.
Main Results:
- Observed significant variations in PFC concentrations and compound mixtures across the surveyed Asian regions.
- Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were generally most abundant as perfluoroalkyl alcohols (FTOHs).
- Concentrations showed a clear decline from urban to rural and remote locations, indicating emission source proximity.
Conclusions:
- Asian countries are significant sources of PFCs, with regional differences in compound profiles.
- Long-range atmospheric transport is a key pathway for PFCs originating from Asia.
- Background air mass composition reflects regional emission patterns and PFC profiles.
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