Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in Building and Decoration Materials and Their Potential Burdens in Newly Decorated Houses in China

Abstract

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) have been increasingly used in various building and decoration materials to fulfill fire safety standards since the phasing out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers. We determined OPFR concentrations in the most commonly used building and decoration materials available in local markets and online in China. The OPFR concentrations varied significantly, from 14.78 ng/g (putty powder) to 9649000 ng/g (expanded polystyrene panel (EPS)). Relatively high concentrations of OPFRs were found in foam samples, followed by nonwoven and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wallpaper, PVC pipes, sealing materials, boards, and paints. Low concentrations were found mostly in wall decoration powders, suggesting that no OPFRs had been added to these powders. Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate were the most detected halogenated OPFRs, while tri-n-butyl phosphate and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate were the dominant nonhalogenated OPFRs, implying that they are commonly used in building and decoration materials. The estimated OPFR burden in interior decoration using nonwoven wallpaper was 330- and 2110-fold higher than that using latex paint and diatomite, respectively. The emission periods of OPFRs from nonwoven and PVC wallpaper may be greater than 13 years. We estimated that the total burden of OPFRs for decoration using wallpaper in newly decorated houses in China is ∼63 t/y. Significantly higher concentrations of OPFRs in interior decoration materials, especially nonwoven wallpaper, pose potential health risks to the people using the buildings.

Emerging halogenated flame retardants in the indoor environment

“…The use of TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP in a range of 18 building and decoration materials (n=56) was evidenced by the presence of Cl-PFRs in all samples which included wallpaper, powders, paints, boards, sealing materials PVC line and foams [90]. Concentrations of Cl-PFRs were significantly higher in foams than other materials, with levels ranging from 2-121 µg/g TCEP, 170-9510 µg/g TCIPP and 7-65 µg/g TDCIPP.…”

Associations between urinary organophosphate ester metabolites and measures of adiposity among U.S. children and adults: NHANES 2013–2014

“…Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are synthetic chemicals found in consumer products, including furniture, electronics, plastics, building materials, and processed foods ( Ballesteros-Gómez et al, 2014 ; Bello et al 2018 , 2010 ; Kajiwara et al 2011 ; Poma et al 2017 ; Stapleton et al 2009 ; Wang et al 2017 ; Yang et al 2019 ). National biomonitoring data indicate that exposure to OPEs is widespread in the U.S. general population ( Ospina et al 2018 ).…”

Insights into Persistent Toxic Substances in Protective Cases of Mobile Phones: Occurrence, Health Risks, and Implications

“…The average concentrations of PBDEs, NBFRs, OPEs, SCCPs, MCCPs, and HMs in all PCMP samples were 6.40 ng/g, 144 ng/g, 10.1 μg/g, 3.58 μg/g, 3.17 μg/g, and 72.3 μg/g, respectively. On comparing the concentration of PTSs in other studies, it is found that the concentration of PBDEs was much lower than the plastics retained on the South China Sea island (22 μg/g); the concentration of OPEs was similar to the plastic decoration materials (44.5 μg/g) . The concentrations of SCCPs and MCCPs were lower than those in rubber track products (3.64 and 41.4 mg/g) but higher than those in Chinese plastic food packaging (188 and 644 ng/g) …”