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Emerging POPs have received increasing attention due to their potential persistence and toxicity, but thus far the report regarding the occurrence and distribution of these POPs in PM 2.5 is limited. In this study, an extremely sensitive and reliable method, using ultrasonic solvent extraction and silica gel purification followed by gas chromatography coupled with electron ionization triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, was developed and used for the trace analysis of hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), pentachloroanisole (PCA) and its analogs chlorobenzenes (CBs) in PM 2.5 from Taiyuan within a whole year. The limits of detection and limits of quantitation of analytes were 1.14 × 10−4‒2.74 × 10−4 pg m−3 and 3.80 × 10−4‒9.14 × 10−4 pg m−3. HCBD and PCA were detected at the mean concentrations of 3.69 and 1.84 pg m−3 in PM 2.5 , which is reported for the first time. Based on the results of statistical analysis, HCBD may come from the unintentional emission of manufacture or incineration of chlorinate-contained products but not coal combustion, while O 3 -induced photoreaction was the potential source of PCA in PM 2.5. The temporal distributions of CBs in PM 2.5 were closely related to coal-driven or agricultural activities. Accordingly, our study reveals the contamination profiles of emerging POPs in PM 2.5 from Taiyuan. Image 1 • An extremely sensitive GC-MS/MS method for emerging POPs analysis was established. • The occurrence of HCBD and PCA in PM 2.5 is reported for the first time. • HCBD did not come from the emission of coal combustion. • O 3 -induced photoreaction was the potential source of PCA. • The distributions of CBs were related to coal-driven or agricultural activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• OPFRs were detected ubiquitously in PM 2.5 from Guangzhou and Taiyuan, China. • Cl-OPFRs such as TCEP and TCPP were the predominant contaminants in PM 2.5. • PM 2.5 -bound OPFRs could induce the death of BEAS-2B cells. • PM 2.5 in Taiyuan had strong redox activities for ROS production. • Minimum health risks to both toddlers and adults by PM 2.5 -bound OPFRs were found. Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are emerging contaminants in recent years. They can be present in the atmospheric fine particle (PM 2.5), leading to potential adverse effects on humans. In this study, the concentrations and in vitro toxicities of OPFRs in PM 2.5 samples were investigated for one year at Guangzhou and Taiyuan in China. Eleven OPFRs, including chloro-, aryl-, and alkyl-substituted OPFRs, were detected at total concentrations ranging from 3.10 to 544 ng m−3. Chloro-substituted OPFRs were the dominant contaminants. Based on the statistical analysis, the same contamination sources of all OPFRs were found except for tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) and triethyl phosphate (TEP), which may come from traffic emission. The results of cell viability and dithiothreitol assays indicated that OPFRs and PM 2.5 could induce the death of normal lung epithelial cells and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), respectively. According to the redundancy analysis, the distribution of OPFRs was significantly related to the PM 2.5 concentrations and indirectly associated with ROS production induced by PM 2.5 from Taiyuan. Exposure to PM 2.5 -bound OPFRs in Guangzhou and Taiyuan only posed minimum health risks to both toddlers and adults. These findings could provide important evidence to better clarify the contamination profiles and human health risks of OPFRs in atmospheric fine particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported the discovery and identification of emerging sulfur-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles (PASHs), in PM 2.5 collected from two typical regions of China, Taiyuan and Guangzhou. Until now, there is no research on contamination status, sources and potential health risks of this unexpected group of organic contaminants in PM 2.5. High atmospheric concentrations (ng m−3) and significant time-dependent variations were determined in PM 2.5 of Taiyuan from 2017 to 2018. Coal combustion/secondary formation and traffic emission/secondary formation were apportioned as possible pollution sources for the PM 2.5 -bound PASHs in Taiyuan and Guangzhou, respectively. Dithiothreitol and cell viability assays were applied for evaluations of PASH-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell toxicity based on the determined real exposure levels for adults. The results illustrated that PASHs in PM 2.5 possibly caused oxidative stress and inhibition of human bronchial epithelial cells in seriously polluted regions such as Taiyuan, suggesting that the pollutant-induced health concerns may need more investigations. This study provides new insights into PM 2.5 pollution, and is beneficial for the development of effective contamination control strategies and reduction of risks on public health. [Display omitted] • Detailed contamination levels of PM 2.5 -bound PASHs were firstly studied. • Different pollution sources were identified in Taiyuan and Guangzhou. • The PM 2.5 -bound PASHs possessed potential health risks for human inhalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]