Hexabromocyclododecane in polystyrene based consumer products: an evidence of unregulated use.
CHEMOSPHERE 2014;
110:111-119. [PMID:
24630246 DOI:
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.02.022]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2013] [Revised: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Polystyrene (PS) is made flame retardant by combining with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD can release from consumer products during their production, use or disposal. As a result, it has become a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment with a high potential for bioaccumulation. Therefore, to evaluate the extent of exposure to HBCD from PS, we determined the concentration of HBCD in a variety of products (n=34) made from three types of commonly used PS: expanded PS (EPS), extruded PS foam (XPS), and extruded PS. The concentration of HBCD was highest in EPS, with a mean value and range of 475643±16710ngg(-1) and 106-960000ngg(-1), respectively. PS related to building construction and laboratory uses had a significantly higher concentration of HBCD (3300-905000ngg(-1)), except XPS styroboard (191±100ngg(-1)). Lower concentrations were measured in most food-related products (24.3-199ngg(-1)). However, a relatively high concentration of HBCD was detected in an ice box (960000±29000ngg(-1)), aquaculture buoy (53500±2100ngg(-1)), and disposable tray (8430±730ngg(-1)) used in fish market, raising concern for public health. Our data demonstrate a wide variation in the concentration of HBCD, suggesting a lack of proper controls for the addition of HBCD to PS products. Other brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were also detected in a majority of the XPS products (TBBPA=3.83-545ngg(-1), BTBPE=44-216ngg(-1) and DBDPE=215-4200ngg(-1)). Thus, HBCD is being added to PS along with other BFRs that cannot be ignored.
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