Flame Retardant Exposure in Vehicles Is Influenced by Use in Seat Foam and Temperature

Overview

Journal Environ Sci Technol

Publisher American Chemical Society

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2024 May 7

PMID 38712863

Authors

Rebecca M Hoehn

Lydia G Jahl

Nicholas J Herkert

Kate Hoffman

Anna Soehl

Miriam L Diamond

Arlene Blum

Heather M Stapleton

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Flame retardants (FRs) are added to vehicles to meet flammability standards, such as US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 302. However, an understanding of which FRs are being used, sources in the vehicle, and implications for human exposure is lacking. US participants ( = 101) owning a vehicle of model year 2015 or newer hung a silicone passive sampler on their rearview mirror for 7 days. Fifty-one of 101 participants collected a foam sample from a vehicle seat. Organophosphate esters (OPEs) were the most frequently detected FR class in the passive samplers. Among these, tris(1-chloro-isopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) had a 99% detection frequency and was measured at levels ranging from 0.2 to 11,600 ng/g of sampler. TCIPP was also the dominant FR detected in the vehicle seat foam. Sampler FR concentrations were significantly correlated with average ambient temperature and were 2-5 times higher in the summer compared to winter. The presence of TCIPP in foam resulted in ∼4 times higher median air sampler concentrations in winter and ∼9 times higher in summer. These results suggest that FRs used in vehicle interiors, such as in seat foam, are a source of OPE exposure, which is increased in warmer temperatures.

Citing Articles

Molecular Mechanism of Indoor Exposure to Airborne Halogenated Flame Retardants TCIPP (Tris(1,3-Dichloro-2-Propyl) Phosphate) and TCEP Tris(2-chloroethyl) Phosphate and Their Hazardous Effects on Biological Systems.

Alharbi A, Alhujaily M Metabolites. 2024; 14(12).

PMID: 39728479 PMC: 11677016. DOI: 10.3390/metabo14120697.

Occupational Exposure of On-Shift Ottawa Firefighters to Flame Retardants and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

Papas W, Aranda-Rodriguez R, Fan X, Kubwabo C, Lee J, Fantin E Toxics. 2024; 12(9).

PMID: 39330605 PMC: 11435908. DOI: 10.3390/toxics12090677.

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