Investigating Flame Retardant Applications in Furniture and Impacts on Children's Exposure to Firemaster® 550

Abstract

Flame retardants are chemicals that have been commonly added to furniture, electronics, and construction materials in order to prevent or reduce the spread of fire. 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate(EH-TBB) is a component in a flame retardant mixture known as Firemaster® 550, which is a replacement for PentaBDE that was phased out in 2004 due to health concerns. This study investigated whether FM550 treatment in furniture contributed to higher levels of exposure in children residing in NC. Results demonstrated that the presence of Firemaster® 550 in furniture was associated with significantly higher levels of EH-TBB in house dust, in personal measures of exposure (e.g. hand wipes) and higher urinary levels of tetrabromobenzoic acid, the metabolite of EH-TBB (p<0.05). These findings demonstrate that children experience exposure to EH-TBB from the application of Firemaster® 550 in residential furniture.