Exposure to Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Spray Polyurethane Foam Applicators: Role of Dermal Exposure

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bello A ; Bello D ; Carignan CC ; Stapleton HM ; Xue Y
• Description:
  BACKGROUND: Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a highly effective thermal insulation material that has seen considerable market growth in the past decade. Organophosphate flame retardants (PFRs) are added to SPF formulations to meet fire code requirements. A common flame retardant used in SPF formulations is tris 1-chloro 2-propyl phosphate (TCIPP), a suspected endocrine disruptor. Exposure monitoring efforts during SPF applications have focused primarily on the isocyanate component, a potent respiratory and dermal sensitizer. However, to our knowledge, there is no monitoring data for TCIPP. OBJECTIVE: To characterize occupational exposures to TCIPP and other flame retardants during SPF insulation. METHODS: Workers at four SPF insulation sites and one foam removal site (total n = 14) were recruited as part of this pilot study. Personal inhalation exposure to TCIPP was monitored with a CIP-10MI inhalable sampler and potential dermal exposure was assessed through the use of a glove dosimeter. Biomarkers of TCIPP and three other PFRs were measured in urine collected from workers pre-and post-shift. Linear mixed effect models were used to analyze associations of urinary biomarkers with inhalation and dermal exposures and paired t-tests were used to examine the difference on the means of urinary biomarkers pre-and post-shift. Chemical analysis of all species was performed with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Geometric mean (GM) concentrations of TCIPP in personal air monitors and glove dosimeters collected from SPF applicators, 294.7 µg/m3 and 18.8?mg/pair respectively. Overall, GM concentrations of the two TCIPP urinary biomarkers BCIPP and BCIPHIPP and (6.2 and 88.8 µg/mL) were 26-35 times higher than reported in the general population. Post-shift levels of TCIPP biomarkers were higher than pre-shift even though workers at insulation sites wore supplied air respirators, gloves and coveralls. The urinary biomarkers for the other PFRs were not elevated post shift. Concentrations of TCIPP on glove dosimeters were positively associated with post-shift urinary TCIPP biomarkers (p < 0.05) whereas concentrations in personal air samples were not. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of urinary biomarkers for TCIPP among SPF applicators, including post-shift, points to absorption of TCIPP during the work shift, in spite of the use of best industry exposure control practices. Dermal exposure appears to be an important, if not the primary exposure pathway for TCIPP, although inhalation or incidental ingestion of foam particles post-SPF application cannot be ruled out in this pilot study. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomarkers Environmental Monitoring Fires Isocyanates Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Radiation Dosimeters Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Skin Urine

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• Keywords:
  Air Samples Author Keywords: Organophosphate Flame Retardants Dermal Exposures Dosimetry Exposure Limits Fire Retardants Flame Retardants Gloves Inhalation Models Polyurethane Foams Respiratory Function Respiratory System Disorders Risk Factors Sensitizers Spray Polyurethane Foam Sprays TCIPP Thermal Properties Tris (2-chloroethyl) Phosphate Tris 1-chloro 2-propyl Phosphate Urinalysis Urinary Biomarkers

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• ISSN:
  0160-4120
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement ; Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; Massachusetts ; Michigan ; North Carolina ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  55-65
• Volume:
  113
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053295
• Citation:
  Environ Int 2018 Apr; 113:55-65
• Contact Point Address:
  Dhimiter Bello, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences, Lowell, MA 01854
• Email:
  Dhimiter_Bello@uml.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction
• Performing Organization:
  CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  Environment International
• End Date:
  20240831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:90d0d24ee65691f796daec0ae6fd00936cf10ef8afeb7ff5a240945b89ae0cc0b8d5b4a6986fc184fae97d12c40616e9c77ca1dae829eb218e4473909dee0639
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216085/cdc_216085_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 572.32 KB ]