Characterization of Individual Isopropylated and tert-Butylated Triarylphosphate (ITP and TBPP) Isomers in Several Commercial Flame Retardant Mixtures and House Dust Standard Reference Material SRM 2585

Abstract

Since the phase-out of pentaBDE in the early 2000s, replacement flame-retardant mixtures including Firemaster 550 (FM 550), Firemaster 600 (FM 600), and organophosphate aryl ester technical mixtures have been increasingly used to treat polyurethane foam in residential upholstered furniture. These mixtures contain isomers of isopropylated and tert-butylated triarylphosphate esters (ITPs and TBPPs), which have similar or greater neuro- and developmental toxicity compared to BDE 47 in high-throughput assays. Additionally, human exposure to ITPs and TBPPs has been demonstrated to be widespread in several recent studies; however, the relative composition of these mixtures has remained largely uncharacterized. Using available authentic standards, the present study quantified the contribution of individual ITP and TBPP isomers in four commercial flame retardant mixtures: FM 550, FM 600, an ITP mixture, and a TBPP mixture. Findings suggest similarities between FM 550 and the ITP mixture, with 2-isopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (2IPPDPP), 2,4-diisopropylphenyl diphenyl phosphate (24DIPPDPP), and bis(2-isopropylphenyl) phenyl phosphate (B2IPPPP) being the most prevalent ITP isomers in both mixtures. FM 600 differed from FM 550 in that it contained TBPP isomers instead of ITP isomers. These analytes were also detected and quantified in a house dust standard reference material, SRM 2585, demonstrating their environmental relevance.

Children's residential exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers: Investigating exposure pathways in the TESIE study

“…Along with TPHP, the two ITP compounds on hand wipes were also significantly correlated with tb-PPP (r s =0.23–0.31, p<0.01). Because TPHP is a component of the TBPP mixture this association likely reflect co-exposure of the parent compounds even though TPHP is unlikely to be metabolized to tb-PPP, (Phillips et al, 2017; Van den Eede et al, 2013). The significant correlation of 2IPPDPP and 4IPPDPP with tb-PPP may also be explained by the detection of trace amounts of ITP compounds in the Firemaster® 600 and TBPP mixtures, thereby also reflecting co-exposure of the parent compounds (Phillips et al, 2017).…”

“…For aryl OPEs, this projected increase will likely be compounded by the recent Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) ruling banning the use of organohalogen flame retardants in several consumer product categories in the United States (Kaye, 2017). Aryl OPEs are anticipatory substitutes for the banned organohalogen flame retardants, and are already used extensively in commerce (Phillips et al, 2017).…”

Toxicity of Flame Retardant Isopropylated Triphenyl Phosphate: Liver, Adrenal, and Metabolic Effects

“…Technical IPTPP is a mixture of aryl phosphate ester congeners that vary in the number of phenyl moieties containing the isopropyl group. 4 Isopropylphenyl, diphenyl phosphate is the major congener in technical IPTPP, and its presence has been reported in indoor air from an electronics recycling plant in Sweden 5 and house dust in North Carolina. 6 In addition, several studies have identified an urinary metabolite of this congener in the majority of individuals in the United States.…”

Chemical exposure and flammability risks of upholstered furniture

“…9 Recent evidence shows that exposure of nonhalogenated organophosphate components increased exposure risks and lead to adverse health effects. 10 During a fire, the inhalation of toxic gases produced from burning materials is a major cause of injury and death. According to death certificates dated between 1979 and 2007 in the United Kingdom, for home fire deaths, there were eight smoke inhalation deaths for every one death from burns.…”

“…Presence of these chemicals in the environment contributes to chemical loads in wastewater, rivers, and the natural environment 9 . Recent evidence shows that exposure of nonhalogenated organophosphate components increased exposure risks and lead to adverse health effects 10 …”