title: High Exposure to Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Infants: Associations with Baby Products.
abstract: Infant products containing polyurethane foam are commonly treated with organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs), including tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCIPP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). Infants may have greater exposure due to greater contact with these products, yet little is known about levels of exposure or the factors contributing to higher exposure. We recruited children age 2-18 months from North Carolina to investigate PFR exposure (n = 43; recruited 2014-2015). Parents provided information on potential sources and modifiers of exposure, and reported whether they owned common infant products. We measured five PFR metabolites in urine samples collected from children. TDCIPP and TPHP metabolites (bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCIPP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP)) were most commonly detected (>93% detect). Other metabolites were detected infrequently (<35% detect). Although we did not observe a clear age trend for infants, BDCIPP levels were substantially higher than those reported for adults (geometric mean = 7.3 ng/mL). The number of infant products owned was strongly associated with BDCIPP; children with >16 products had BDCIPP levels that were 6.8 times those with <13 (p = 0.02). Infants attending daycare centers also had higher BDCIPP levels (3.7 times those of others; p = 0.07), suggesting time spent in this microenvironment contributes to higher exposure. In contrast, DPHP levels were not related to products owned, time in different microenvironments, or behavior.
authors.affiliation: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina 90328, United States.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina 90328, United States.
authors.forename: Craig M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Butt
authors.affiliation: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina 90328, United States.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina 90328, United States.
authors.forename: Alexander T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Limkakeng
authors.affiliation: Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University , Durham, North Carolina 90328, United States.
authors.forename: Heather M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Stapleton
mesh_terms: D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000652:urine*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000652:urine*; D011140:Polyurethanes
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D010755:Organophosphates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D011140:Polyurethanes; C028279:polyurethane foam; C016805:tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate; C005445:triphenyl phosphate