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The impact of measures to restrict population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic on atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) is poorly understood. This study analyses the effects of meteorological parameters and mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on concentrations of PAH and BFRs at the University of Birmingham in the UK utilising a neural network (self-organising maps, SOM). Air sampling was performed using Polyurethane Foam (PUF) disk passive samplers between October 2019 and January 2021. Data on concentrations of PAH and BFRs were analysed using SOM and Spearman's rank correlation. Data on meteorological parameters (air temperature, wind, and relative humidity) and mobility restrictions during the pandemic were included in the analysis. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) was the most abundant polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) (23–91% Σ 7 PBDEs) but was detected at lower absolute concentrations (4.2–35.0 pg m−3) than in previous investigations in Birmingham. Air samples were clustered in five groups based on SOM analysis and the effects of meteorology and pandemic-related restrictions on population mobility could be visualised. Concentrations of most PAH decreased during the early stages of the pandemic when mobility was most restricted. SOM analysis also helped to identify the important influence of wind speed on contaminant concentrations, contributing to reduce the concentration of all analysed pollutants. In contrast, concentrations of most PBDEs remained similar or increased during the first COVID-19 lockdown which was attributed to their primarily indoor sources that were either unaffected or increased during lockdown. [Display omitted] • SOM analysis was effective to separate the effects of environmental variables. • Effects of COVID-19 lockdowns observed for PAH and BFRs in air samples. • PAH lower in early pandemic connected to mobility restrictions. • Reduction of PAH and PBDEs linked to efficacy of new technologies and policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an abstract of the study 'Anaesthesia for paediatric oncology procedures: a survey of current UK practice.' Presentation at the 2001 conference of the Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.