4 research outputs found
Novel and High Volume Use Flame Retardants in US Couches Reflective of the 2005 PentaBDE Phase Out
California’s furniture flammability
standard Technical Bulletin
117 (TB 117) is believed to be a major driver of chemical flame retardant
(FR) use in residential furniture in the United States. With the phase-out
of the polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) FR mixture PentaBDE in
2005, alternative FRs are increasingly being used to meet TB 117;
however, it was unclear which chemicals were being used and how frequently.
To address this data gap, we collected and analyzed 102 samples of
polyurethane foam from residential couches purchased in the United
States from 1985 to 2010. Overall, we detected chemical flame retardants
in 85% of the couches. In samples purchased prior to 2005 (<i>n</i> = 41) PBDEs associated with the PentaBDE mixture including
BDEs 47, 99, and 100 (PentaBDE) were the most common FR detected (39%),
followed by tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCPP; 24%), which
is a suspected human carcinogen. In samples purchased in 2005 or later
(<i>n</i> = 61) the most common FRs detected were TDCPP
(52%) and components associated with the Firemaster550 (FM 550) mixture
(18%). Since the 2005 phase-out of PentaBDE, the use of TDCPP increased
significantly. In addition, a mixture of nonhalogenated organophosphate
FRs that included triphenyl phosphate (TPP), tris(4-butylphenyl) phosphate
(TBPP), and a mix of butylphenyl phosphate isomers were observed in
13% of the couch samples purchased in 2005 or later. Overall the prevalence
of flame retardants (and PentaBDE) was higher in couches bought in
California compared to elsewhere, although the difference was not
quite significant (<i>p</i> = 0.054 for PentaBDE). The difference
was greater before 2005 than after, suggesting that TB 117 is becoming
a de facto standard across the U.S. We determined that the presence
of a TB 117 label did predict the presence of a FR; however, lack
of a label did not predict the absence of a flame retardant. Following
the PentaBDE phase out, we also found an increased number of flame
retardants on the market. Given these results, and the potential for
human exposure to FRs, health studies should be conducted on the types
of FRs identified here
Identification of Flame Retardants in Polyurethane Foam Collected from Baby Products
With the phase-out of PentaBDE in 2004, alternative flame retardants are being used in polyurethane foam to meet flammability standards. However, insufficient information is available on the identity of the flame retardants currently in use. Baby products containing polyurethane foam must meet California state furniture flammability standards, which likely affects the use of flame retardants in baby products throughout the U.S. However, it is unclear which products contain flame retardants and at what concentrations. In this study we surveyed baby products containing polyurethane foam to investigate how often flame retardants were used in these products. Information on when the products were purchased and whether they contained a label indicating that the product meets requirements for a California flammability standard were recorded. When possible, we identified the flame retardants being used and their concentrations in the foam. Foam samples collected from 101 commonly used baby products were analyzed. Eighty samples contained an identifiable flame retardant additive, and all but one of these was either chlorinated or brominated. The most common flame retardant detected was tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCPP; detection frequency 36%), followed by components typically found in the Firemaster550 commercial mixture (detection frequency 17%). Five samples contained PBDE congeners commonly associated with PentaBDE, suggesting products with PentaBDE are still in-use. Two chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) not previously documented in the environment were also identified, one of which is commercially sold as V6 (detection frequency 15%) and contains tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) as an impurity. As an addition to this study, we used a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer to estimate the bromine and chlorine content of the foam and investigate whether XRF is a useful method for predicting the presence of halogenated flame retardant additives in these products. A significant correlation was observed for bromine; however, there was no significant relationship observed for chlorine. To the authors knowledge, this is the first study to report on flame retardants in baby products. In addition, we have identified two chlorinated OPFRs not previously documented in the environment or in consumer products. Based on exposure estimates conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), we predict that infants may receive greater exposure to TDCPP from these products compared to the average child or adult from upholstered furniture, all of which are higher than acceptable daily intake levels of TDCPP set by the CPSC. Future studies are therefore warranted to specifically measure infants exposure to these flame retardants from intimate contact with these products and to determine if there are any associated health concerns
Correction to “Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants: Are They a Regrettable Substitution for Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers?”
Correction to
“Organophosphate Ester Flame
Retardants: Are They a Regrettable Substitution for Polybrominated
Diphenyl Ethers?
Fluorinated Compounds in U.S. Fast Food Packaging
Per-
and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are highly persistent
synthetic chemicals, some of which have been associated with cancer,
developmental toxicity, immunotoxicity, and other health effects.
PFASs in grease-resistant food packaging can leach into food and increase
dietary exposure. We collected ∼400 samples of food contact
papers, paperboard containers, and beverage containers from fast food
restaurants throughout the United States and measured total fluorine
using particle-induced γ-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy. PIGE
can rapidly and inexpensively measure total fluorine in solid-phase
samples. We found that 46% of food contact papers and 20% of paperboard
samples contained detectable fluorine (>16 nmol/cm<sup>2</sup>).
Liquid
chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of a subset
of 20 samples found perfluorocarboxylates, perfluorosulfonates, and
other known PFASs and/or unidentified polyfluorinated compounds (based
on nontargeted analysis). The total peak area for PFASs was higher
in 70% of samples (10 of 14) with a total fluorine level of >200
nmol/cm<sup>2</sup> compared to six samples with a total fluorine
level of <16
nmol/cm<sup>2</sup>. Samples with high total fluorine levels but low
levels of measured PFASs may contain volatile PFASs, PFAS polymers,
newer replacement PFASs, or other fluorinated compounds. The prevalence
of fluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging demonstrates their
potentially significant contribution to dietary PFAS exposure and
environmental contamination during production and disposal