Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Flame Retardants

National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences

Investigators

Abstract

Flame retardants in US products are changing rapidly primarily because the most common flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were phased out from 2004 to 2013 because of reported evidence of liver and thyroid effects, developmental changes and neurotoxicity (EPA 2012). Many consumer products which previously used PBDEs now use alternative flame retardants. Occupational exposure to these alternative flame retardants is not currently well characterized. This project will assess exposure to nine alternative flame retardants plus a panel of PBDEs. Exposure will be assessed among workers involved in the manufacture, installation or use of goods containing these nine alternative flame retardants. These worksite categories will be included in the study: manufacture of products that use flexible polyurethane foams, plastics, or resins, fabrication and manufacture of rigid polystyrene foam, cutting, installing or spraying polyurethane foam insulation at construction sites, gymnasiums, manufacture of wire harnesses or printed circuit boards, and fire service. Site visits have optimized sampling methods to assess exposure to dominant flame retardants used in each worksite category. During FY17 six sites were visited and exposure data for flame retardants was collected. Company reports for four nail salons were completed with notification of results delivered to their workers. Company letters and worker notifications were also completed for four companies that were performing spray polyurethane foam installation. A database that compares exposures for all 18 companies that have been enrolled in the study is in preparation and manuscripts detailing exposures associated with specific occupational categories and comparing exposures to flame retardants across a variety of businesses are in preparation.