Widespread bisphenol S analogues in E-waste recycling dust and air: Gas-particle partitioning behavior and human...

Bisphenol S (BPS) analogues are increasingly used as alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), but their occurrence, phase behavior, and exposure implications in e-waste recycling environments remain poorly characterized. Here, we conducted an integrated investigation of BPS analogues (BPSs) in indoor dust and paired gas- and particle-phase air samples from e-waste dismantling workshops in South China, to characterize their occurrence profiles, gas-particle partitioning, endocrine-disruption screening, and occupational exposure risks. BPS and 11 analogues were detected in dust, while BPS and 10 analogues were detected in indoor air. ∑₁₂BPSs ranged from 48.1 to 2120 ng/g in dust and 135-1790 pg/m³ in air. DBSP and BPS dominated dust, whereas DBSP dominated the particulate phase and DPS dominated the gaseous phase. Notably, DPS was the only compound detected in all gas-phase samples, indicating distinct phase preference. Gas-particle partitioning coefficients correlated significantly with predicted subcooled liquid vapor pressures and octanol-air partition coefficients (p < 0.01). EDC-Predictor screening indicated endocrine-related interaction potential for several analogues, particularly DBSP and DPS. Estimated daily intakes via dust ingestion and inhalation reached 3.32 ng/kg bw/day under the high-end scenario, higher than the recently revised BPA TDI in a screening-level comparison. These findings reveal that overlooked BPS substitutes, particularly DBSP and DPS, act as phase-specific contributors to occupational exposure in e-waste workshops.