Phosphorous flame-retardant concentration in Finnish daycares dust and children's exposure

Abstract

Children in daycare centers are exposed to various chemicals present in indoor dust, including organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs). This study analyzed OPFR levels in dust from 18 daycare centers in Tampere, Finland, to assess children's exposure through dust ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption. The OPFRs measured included tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP), triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP). The median concentrations (μg/g) were significantly higher than those reported in similar studies, with TCIPP (265.27), TDCIPP (31.11), TPHP (12.18), and EHDPP (4.24). These elevated levels are possibly due to fire safety regulations in Finland, that have resulted in the extensive use of flame retardants in various materials. The Margin of Exposure (MOE) calculations, which compared total exposure to oral Reference Doses (RfD), indicated that most OPFRs did not pose a significant risk to children, with MOEs generally above 1000. However, TCIPP had the lowest MOE, suggesting a potential health risk at higher exposure levels.