Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children

A total of 41 play mats made from different raw materials, such as polyethylene (PE), ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), chemical crosslinked polyethylene (XPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were obtained from Chinese markets and analyzed for flame retardants. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (P...

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Main Authors: Bo Peng, Zi-Min Yu, Chen-Chou Wu, Liang-Ying Liu, Lixi Zeng, Eddy Y. Zeng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-02-01
Series:Environment International
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412019332222
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author Bo Peng
Zi-Min Yu
Chen-Chou Wu
Liang-Ying Liu
Lixi Zeng
Eddy Y. Zeng
author_facet Bo Peng
Zi-Min Yu
Chen-Chou Wu
Liang-Ying Liu
Lixi Zeng
Eddy Y. Zeng
author_sort Bo Peng
collection DOAJ
description A total of 41 play mats made from different raw materials, such as polyethylene (PE), ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), chemical crosslinked polyethylene (XPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were obtained from Chinese markets and analyzed for flame retardants. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their replacements, organophosphate esters (OPEs), were measured and the associated exposure risks for children were evaluated. The levels (range; median) of OPEs (6.6–7400; 200 ng g−1) were generally 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of PBDEs (0.13–72; 13 ng g−1), consistent with the production and usage trends of flame retardants. The concentrations of both PBDEs and OPEs were the lowest in XPE mats (0.13–5.6; 3.3 ng g−1 for PBDEs and 6.6–320; 47 ng g−1 for OPEs) compared to the other three types. Concentration comparison and compositional analysis suggested that PBDEs and OPEs in play mats were most probably from leaching of raw materials, during production, storage, and/or transport. Children's exposure to PBDEs and OPEs from play mats was estimated for three pathways, i.e., dermal contact, inhalation, and hand-to-mouth ingestion. The combined exposure was 5–6 orders of magnitude lower than the established reference dose values, suggesting no obvious health concern regarding the occurrence of PBDEs and OPEs in play mats. Nevertheless, selection of less contaminated, i.e., XPE mats among those under investigation, by consumers is strongly recommended to minimize any potential exposure risk.
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spelling doaj.art-82fba710efeb4ad88697dcc6dba2e66c2022-12-21T22:50:23ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202020-02-01135Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for childrenBo Peng0Zi-Min Yu1Chen-Chou Wu2Liang-Ying Liu3Lixi Zeng4Eddy Y. Zeng5Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaCorresponding author at: Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China.; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, ChinaA total of 41 play mats made from different raw materials, such as polyethylene (PE), ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), chemical crosslinked polyethylene (XPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were obtained from Chinese markets and analyzed for flame retardants. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their replacements, organophosphate esters (OPEs), were measured and the associated exposure risks for children were evaluated. The levels (range; median) of OPEs (6.6–7400; 200 ng g−1) were generally 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of PBDEs (0.13–72; 13 ng g−1), consistent with the production and usage trends of flame retardants. The concentrations of both PBDEs and OPEs were the lowest in XPE mats (0.13–5.6; 3.3 ng g−1 for PBDEs and 6.6–320; 47 ng g−1 for OPEs) compared to the other three types. Concentration comparison and compositional analysis suggested that PBDEs and OPEs in play mats were most probably from leaching of raw materials, during production, storage, and/or transport. Children's exposure to PBDEs and OPEs from play mats was estimated for three pathways, i.e., dermal contact, inhalation, and hand-to-mouth ingestion. The combined exposure was 5–6 orders of magnitude lower than the established reference dose values, suggesting no obvious health concern regarding the occurrence of PBDEs and OPEs in play mats. Nevertheless, selection of less contaminated, i.e., XPE mats among those under investigation, by consumers is strongly recommended to minimize any potential exposure risk.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412019332222
spellingShingle Bo Peng
Zi-Min Yu
Chen-Chou Wu
Liang-Ying Liu
Lixi Zeng
Eddy Y. Zeng
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children
Environment International
title Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children
title_full Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children
title_fullStr Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children
title_full_unstemmed Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children
title_short Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from China and the exposure risks for children
title_sort polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organophosphate esters flame retardants in play mats from china and the exposure risks for children
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412019332222
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