This study was designed to estimate the human risk to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) exposure via two main exposure routes (dust and diet) in an e-waste recycling area in southern China. A total of 134 dust samples and 129 food samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The mean concentration of Sigma PBDE in in-house dust (38,685 ng/g dw) was higher than that in out-house dust (24,595 ng/g). For food samples, the highest concentration of EPBDE was found in fish and shellfish (2755 ng/kg ww), followed in descending order by eggs (2423 ng/kg), cereals (2239 ng/kg) and meat (1799 ng/kg). The estimated total daily dietary intake of PBDEs was 1671 ng/day for adults and 952 ng/day for children. The present study indicated that dust intake was the dominant PBDE exposure route for children, and the dietary intake was the dominant PBDE exposure route for adults. Our findings revealed high PBDE concentrations in dust and food samples collected at the center of e-waste recycling area, raising significant health concerns for residents in this particular region, especially for children. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.