Determination of organophosphate ester flame retardants in indoor dust and their potential health exposure risk

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine organophosphate ester compounds in indoor dust in Hanoi - a populated city in Vietnam. In the study, the concentration and distribution of fifteen organophosphate esters (OPEs) were analyzed in indoor dust specimen. In general, the recorded total concentrations of OPEs in dust ranged from 2.7 to 14.1 μg/g and the average quantities varied from 0.2 to 1.0 μg/g. Particular, 100 % of survey samples were detected signals of OPEs, indeed, tris-(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) and tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate (TBEP) were two of the OPE substances, which their content accounted for the most in 15 analyzed compounds. OPE emission sources in indoor dust could be from locally used wide variety of consumer products and building materials in Hanoi houses. Moreover, tri-m-cresyl phosphate (TMCP) was practically observed in survey dust samples, and thus effects of traffic activities on OPEs contamination were not significant. Estimating human exposure to OPEs through directly absorbing foods was implemented and illustrated that this absorption route did not substantially affected adult and children health.