Organophosphate esters flame retardants in the indoor environment. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vykoukalová, Martina; Venier, Marta; Vojta, Šimon; Melymuk, Lisa; Bečanová, Jitka; Romanak, Kevin; Prokeš, Roman; Okeme, Joseph O.; Saini, Amandeep; Diamond, Miriam L.; Klánová, Jana
• Is Part Of: Environment international. Volume 106(2017)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) -- Indoor Environment -- Human Exposure -- Air Concentration -- Indoor Dust -- Window Film; Environmental protection -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental Monitoring -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Protection -- Périodiques; Hygiène du milieu -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Surveillance -- Périodiques; Environmental health; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; Periodicals; 333.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.05.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0160-4120

Abstract

Abstract: Concentrations of 13 organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEs) were measured in air, dust and window wipes from 63 homes in Canada, the Czech Republic and the United States in the spring and summer of 2013 to look for abundances, differences among regions, and partitioning behavior. In general, we observed the highest concentrations for halogenated OPEs, particularly TCEP, TCIPP and TDCIPP, and also non-halogenated TPHP. Differences between regions strongly depended on the matrix. The concentrations of OPEs in dust were significantly higher in the US than in Canada (CAN) and Czech Republic (CZ). CZ had the highest concentrations in window film and CAN in air. ΣOPE concentrations were 2–3 and 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than ΣBFRs in air, and dust and window films, respectively. We found a significant relationship between the concentrations in dust and air, and between the concentrations in window film and air for OPEs with log K OA values < 12, suggesting that equilibrium was reached for these compounds but not for those with log K OA > 12. This hypothesis was confirmed by a large discrepancy between values predicted using a partitioning model and the measured values for OPEs with log K OA values > 12. Highlights: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardants in indoor air, dust and window wipes from 3 countries. The highest concentrations were observed for TCEP, TCIPP, TDCIPP and TPHP. In general, no differences were detected between bedroom and living room concentrations with a few exceptions. Concentrations of OPEs were significantly correlated among themselves and with BFRs, in particular in dust.