Flame Retardant Concentrations Are Lower in College Spaces Meeting the New Furniture Flammability Standard TB117-2013

Abstract

California's updated furniture flammability standard, TB117-2013, can be met without the use of chemical flame retardants (FRs). FRs have been associated with neurological damage, reproductive toxicity, thyroid disease, and cancer. We collected dust from classrooms and other nonresidential spaces on four U.S. college campuses that met one of California's two older FR-reliant standards (TB117, TB133) or the newer TB117-2013. We hypothesized that spaces with TB117-2013-compliant furniture would have lower levels of FRs in dust. We detected all 43 targeted FRs, and FRs were detected in each of the 86 samples. We prioritized 14 FRs for statistical analysis based on their prevalence in dust and use in furniture and textiles. Concentrations of three polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were significantly lower in TB117-2013 spaces compared to spaces adhering to FR-reliant standards. Concentrations of BDE 209, decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP), hexabromobenzene (HBB), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were significantly lower in spaces meeting TB117-2013 compared to TB133 spaces. We report the highest dust levels of BDE 209, 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB), DBDPE, and TCEP in the U.S. Spaces adhering to the revised standard, TB117-2013, had lower dust concentrations of harmful FRs, suggesting less FR was used in the furnishings.

Detection of Bromochloro Alkanes in Indoor Dust Using a Novel CP-Seeker Data Integration Tool

“…Previous studies have reported that contamination levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in indoor dust from campuses in New England, U.S.A., correlated with legislative changes in furniture flammability standards. 38,39 Specific laws in the USA may have influenced the flame-retardant constituents utilized in the interior furnishings of educational institutions, in turn affecting the BCA concentration in dust.…”

“…The rooms from which dust containing BCAs were collected included auditoriums, lecture halls, and lounge areas which were carpeted (except for US-5) and generally densely fitted with upholstered furnishings, ranging from 18 furnishings in US-5 to 462 in US-4. Previous studies have reported that contamination levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in indoor dust from campuses in New England, U.S.A., correlated with legislative changes in furniture flammability standards. , Specific laws in the USA may have influenced the flame-retardant constituents utilized in the interior furnishings of educational institutions, in turn affecting the BCA concentration in dust.…”

Finding essentiality feasible: common questions and misinterpretations concerning the “essential-use” concept

“…This resulted in the lowering of indoor air/dust concentrations of flame retardants. 35 Another example of a standard inhibiting the phase out of PFAS is the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) military specification (referred to as "Mil-Spec") that required the firefighting foams used for extinguishing Class-B fuel fires to contain fluorine or have positive spreading coefficients necessary for film-formation. 16 The Mil-Spec standard was also extended to civilian airports by the US Federal Aeronautics Agency.…”

Seasonal variation of short-, medium- and long-chain chlorinated paraffin distribution in Belgian indoor dust

“…Studies of other semi-volatile pollutants, such as plasticizers and brominated flame retardants (BFRs), in indoor dust have shown that specific items or furnishings may act as point sources of contamination to significantly affect overall concentrations (Christia et al, 2019;Harrad et al, 2016). The age of particular goods and materials might also influence the distribution of contaminants with regard to historical usage patterns and the potential for enhanced release of contaminants from worn or degrading materials (Rodgers et al, 2020;McGrath et al, 2018). Previous research has also identified seasonal variation in the distribution of CPs in dust and air within indoor environments relating to temperature dependant partitioning (Yuan et al, 2021;Gao et al, 2018), while room ventilation and cleaning habits of the occupants might have the potential to affect dust loading within rooms (Harrad et al, 2008).…”