After the PBDE Phase-Out: A Broad Suite of Flame Retardants in Repeat House Dust Samples from California

Abstract

Higher house dust levels of PBDE flame retardants (FRs) have been reported in California than other parts of the world, due to the state’s furniture flammability standard. However, changing levels of these and other FRs have not been evaluated following the 2004 U.S. phase-out of PentaBDE and OctaBDE. We analyzed dust collected in 16 California homes in 2006 and again in 2011 for 62 FRs and organohalogens, which represents the broadest investigation of FRs in homes. Fifty-five compounds were detected in at least one sample; 41 in at least 50% of samples. Concentrations of chlorinated OPFRs, including two (TCEP and TDCIPP) listed as carcinogens under California’s Proposition 65, were found up to 0.01% in dust, higher than previously reported in the U.S. In 75% of the homes, we detected TDBPP, or brominated “Tris,” which was banned in children’s sleepwear because of carcinogenicity. To our knowledge, this is the first report on TDBPP in house dust. Concentrations of Firemaster 550 components (EH-TBB, BEH-TEBP, and TPHP) were higher in 2011 than 2006, consistent with its use as a PentaBDE replacement. Results highlight the evolving nature of FR exposures and suggest that manufacturers continue to use hazardous chemicals and replace chemicals of concern with chemicals with uncharacterized toxicity.

Disposition of the Emerging Brominated Flame Retardant, 2-Ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-Tetrabromobenzoate, in Female SD Rats and Male B6C3F1 Mice: Effects of Dose, Route, and Repeated Administration

“…2-Ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB) use and environmental prevalence are increasing, leading to potential for greater human exposure to the chemical in the future (Dodson et al, 2012;Liu et al, 2016b). EH-TBB is an established BFR contaminant in homes and the environment, and may pose a risk to humans, especially to small children who are prone to ingesting dust through hand-mouth contact ).…”

In vitro immune toxicity of polybrominated diphenyl ethers on murine peritoneal macrophages: Apoptosis and immune cell dysfunction

“…The presence of PBDEs has been detected in various environmental compartments and biological samples (Kim et al, 2012;Zhang et al, 2012), even after their phase-out (Dodson et al, 2012), due to their persistent nature. PBDEs have been reportedly found in indoor dust, carpet, human serum, hair, and breast milk, even in younger children (Rose et al, 2010).…”

Multiple bio-analytical methods to reveal possible molecular mechanisms of developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryos/larvae exposed to tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate

“…Environmental monitoring has demonstrated that TBEP is frequently found in indoor air, house dust, soil, snow, surface water, wastewater, wildlife and human milk (Bacaloni et al, 2007;Campone et al, 2010;Carlsson et al, 1997;Chen et al, 2012;Dodson et al, 2012;Kim et al, 2011;Mäkinen et al, 2009;Marklund et al, 2005;Mihajlović and Fries, 2012;Möller et al, 2012;Sundkvist et al, 2010). For example, in water samples from Albano lake in Italy, TBEP concentrations ranged from 10 to 127 ng/L (Bacaloni et al, 2007).…”