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.

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.

Duke Scholars

Author Heather M. Stapleton Environmental Sciences and Policy