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Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), including Tris (1,3-dichloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TDCPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and isopropylated triphenyl phosphate (ITP), are increasingly used in consumer products because of the recent phase out of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. OPFRs have been widely detected in adults and have been linked to reproductive and endocrine changes in adult males. Carcinogenicity and damage to immunologic, neurologic and developmental systems have been observed in human cell lines. Young children are especially vulnerable to OPFR exposure, but little is known about exposure levels or exposure risk factors in this population. We examined parent-reported demographic and dietary survey data in relation to OPFR urinary metabolite concentrations in 15- to 18-month old toddlers (n = 41). OPFR metabolites were detected in 100% of subjects. The metabolite of TPP, diphenyl phosphate (DPP) was detected most commonly (100%), with TDCPP metabolite, bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), detected in 85-95% of samples, and ITP metabolite, monoisopropylphenyl phenyl phosphate (ip-DPP), detected in 81% of samples (n = 21). Toddlers of mothers earning <$10,000 annually had geometric mean DPP concentrations 66% higher (p = 0.05) than toddlers of mothers earning >$10,000/year (7.8 ng/mL, 95% CI 5.03, 12.11 and 4.69 ng/mL, 95% CI 3.65-6.04, respectively). While no dietary factors were significantly associated with OPFR metabolite concentrations, results suggested meat and fish consumption may be associated with higher DPP and BDCPP levels while increased dairy and fresh food consumption may be associated with lower DPP, BDCPP, and ip-DPP levels. Research with larger sample sizes and more detailed dietary data is required to confirm these preliminary findings.

Background/aimOrganophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) are increasingly used in consumer products and are widely detected in adults. Carcinogenicity and damage to immunologic, neurologic and developmental systems are observed in human cell lines along with reproductive changes in adult males. Young children are vulnerable to OPFR exposure, but little is known about children’s exposure levels or risk factors.MethodsWe examined parent-reported demographic and dietary survey data in relation to urinary metabolite concentrations of three OPFRs [Tris (1,3-dichloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TDCPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), and isopropylated triphenyl phosphate (ITP)] in 15- to 18 month old toddlers (n=41) residing in Seattle, Washington State, USA. Urinary metabolite concentrations were log10-transformed and adjusted for urinary specific gravity. Multiple linear regression, adjusting for lab, annual maternal income, and child sex, was used to evaluate associations between metabolite concentrations and demographic and dietary predictors.ResultsOPFR metabolites were detected in 100% of subjects. The metabolite of TPP, diphenyl phosphate (DPP) was detected most commonly (100%), with TDCPP metabolite, bis (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), detected in 85%–95% of samples, and ITP metabolite, monoisopropylphenyl phenyl phosphate (ip-DPP), detected in 81% of samples (n=21). Toddlers of mothers earning <$10 000 annually had geometric mean DPP concentrations 66% higher (p=0.05) than toddlers of mothers earning >$10,000/year (7.8 ng/mL, 95% CI: 5.03 to 12.11 and 4.69 ng/mL, 95% CI: 3.65 to 6.04, respectively).ConclusionOur study confirmed ubiquity of OPFR exposure in toddlers. Very low maternal income was a significant predictor of OPFR metabolite concentrations. While no dietary factors were significantly associated with exposure levels, results suggested meat and fish consumption may be associated with higher OPFR levels while increased dairy and fresh food consumption may be associated with lower OPFR levels.

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Afghan TV, a private television station in Kabul, was fined 49,150 AFN ($1,000) by a special media commission on 4 February for broadcasting 'un-Islamic' material. The station regularly broadcasts film and music videos, but it is unclear which broadcast prompted the fine. (IWPR) ALGERIATwo newspapers were closed on 12 February for reprinting Danish newspaper cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Kahel Bousaad and Berkane Bouderbala, editors of the pro-Islamist weeklies Errisala and Iqraa, were arrested the following day. A member of Iqraa's staff said: 'The cartoons published in our weekly were [deliberately] fogged. They were accompanied by an article denouncing them.' (Al-Jazeera) Cartoonist Ali Dilem was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fined 50,000 dinar