Chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants in childcare articles

Alghamdi, Misbah

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121785 Copy

Description

Title

Chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants in childcare articles

Author(s)

Alghamdi, Misbah

Contributor(s)

• Harrad, Stuart
• Abdallah, Mohamed

Issue Date

2023-04-19

Keyword(s)

• chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants
• waste childcare articles

Geographic Coverage

• United Kingdom
• Ireland

Abstract

Cl-OPFRs are chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants that are added to materials to help meet fire safety regulations. Mostly used Cl-OPFRs are tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). Concentrations of Cl-OPFRs were measured in waste childcare articles from the Republic of Ireland (n=108) in 2019- 2020 and from Birmingham, UK (n=89) in 2022. Cl-OPFRs are carcinogenic and have adverse effects on children, so the European Union has proposed banning their use in childcare products. Our results show that out of the 108 Irish samples examined, one sample exceeded 1,000 mg/kg for TCEP, while 11 and 8 samples exceeded those concentrations for TDCIPP and TCIPP, respectively. TCIPP detected in 98% of samples (max: 44,000 mg/kg), while TDCIPP and TCEP were detected in 73% (max: 68,000 mg/kg) and 58% of samples (max: 1,600 mg/kg), respectively. Meanwhile, out of 89 UK samples, 3 and 10 samples exceeded 1,000 mg/kg for TDCIPP and TCIPP, respectively. TCIPP detected in 92% of samples (max: 10,000 mg/kg), while TDCIPP and TCEP were found in 24% (max: 49,000 mg/kg) and 45% (max: 4 mg/kg) of samples, respectively. Our findings raise concerns regarding children's exposure to Cl-OPFRs when they are used, besides their waste management implications.

Has Part

https://youtu.be/WeLYpqu6rg8

Series/Report Name or Number

2023 Emerging Contaminants in the Environment Conference

Type of Resource

• text
• moving image

Language

eng

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