Occurrence of triphenylphosphine oxide and other organophosphorus compounds in indoor air and settled dust of an institute building

Publication date: September 2016
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 106
Author(s): Yasir Faiz, Wei Zhao, Jianfang Feng, Cheng Sun, Huan He, Jiping Zhu
Indoor environments contain a wide range of synthetic products that emit a variety of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Among these SVOCs, organophosphorus compounds (OPs) are ubiquitous in indoor environments with relatively high concentrations. This study investigated the occurrence of seven OPs including triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) in three different types of indoor spaces (offices, conference halls and laboratories) of an institute building. A total of 39 airborne particulate matter (PM10) and ten settled dust samples were analyzed. Among the seven target OPs, tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), tri(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and TPPO were the major ones found in these samples. TPPO was for the first time identified in indoor environments with levels up to 94 ng/m³ in indoor air and 1.1 μg/g in the indoor settled dust. Positive identity of TPPO in the samples was confirmed by comparisons of the mass spectrum of TPPO peak with that of TPPO standard and same GC retention time of TPPO from samples and from the standard. Compositions of OPs in these samples revealed different sources of OPs present in the indoor spaces. An equilibrium model was used to predict OPs in settled indoor dust from their corresponding levels found in indoor airborne particulate matters. There was a statistically significant correlation between predicted and measured OPs in settled dust in all three types of indoor spaces. The difference between measured and model predicted OP levels in settled dust was in the general range of predictions reported for indoor air SVOCs.

Graphical abstract