Human dermal exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecanes in hand wipes: Effects of population, gender, and haze pollution

Dermal exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in humans remains insufficiently characterized. To address this gap, hand wipe samples were collected from individuals in four occupational groups, and the concentrations of TBBPA and HBCDDs were analyzed to estimate both skin absorption and oral intake risks. The median TBBPA concentrations in hand wipes from office employees, undergraduates, taxi chauffeurs, and security guards were 30,700, 11,200, 22,800, and 21,400 ng/m 2 , respectively. These levels were significantly higher ( p < 0.05) than those of ∑HBCDDs, which measured 1723, 919, 1710, and 1020 ng/m 2 , respectively. Undergraduates exhibited the lowest levels, likely due to their non-professional characteristics, relatively cleaner living environment, and low exposure frequency with contaminated particles. A negative linear correlation was found between the natural logarithm of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) concentrations (LnC BFRs ) and atmospheric PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and AQI levels, although no significant difference emerged between light and heavy haze conditions. The median dermal absorption doses of TBBPA and ∑HBCDDs were 80.6 and 6.03 ng/kg bw/day, respectively, which were several to dozen times higher than the corresponding oral intake via hand-to-mouth contact (13.4 and 1.05 ng/kg bw/day). These results underscore hand skin as a major exposure pathway for TBBPA and HBCDDs and provide critical insights into their potential health risks in diverse populations. • Human exposure to TBBPA and ∑HBCDDs in different populations via dermal contact and oral ingestion were assessed. • Undergraduates exhibited lower concentrations of TBBPA and ∑HBCDDs among four occupational populations. • Mean TBBPA levels in wipe samples were significantly higher than those of HBCDDs. • LnC BFRs showed a negative linear correlation with PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and AQI levels in atmospheric particles.