Occurrence, sources, and health risk assessment of organophosphate esters in road dust and roadside soil from Tianjin, China.

Median concentrations of 14 organophosphate esters were significantly higher in road dust (189.78 ng/g) than in roadside soil (50.76 ng/g) in Tianjin, China.

• Why it matters: Understanding the levels, sources, and health risks of OPEs in urban environments is crucial due to their widespread presence and potential toxicity, yet data on their spatiotemporal variation and sources remain limited.
• What they did: The study quantified 14 OPEs in road dust and roadside soil from industrial and residential areas during summer and winter, analyzing their concentrations, sources, and health risks, with a focus on exposure pathways.
• The result: Findings suggest industrial emissions and indoor product releases are primary sources, with overall health risks below acceptable thresholds, but ongoing attention to OPE occurrence and toxicity is necessary.