Stuart Harrad, University of Birmingham UK presented concerns about population exposure to flame retardants. Past-generation halogenated flame retardants (e.g. PBDEs, HBCD) have been found in human blood and breast milk. In take is thought to be mainly via ingestion of dust and in food, but cosmetic industry models suggest also dermal uptake. The INFLAME project shows that flame retardants may come out of products by migration to air, abrasion of particles or fibres or transfer from the product into dust particles which settle on it.
The INFLAME project shows that flame retardants may come out of products by migration to air, abrasion of particles or fibres or transfer from the product into dust particles which settle on it.
Levels of emission depend very strongly on use conditions of products. Because of progressive phase-out of some brominated flame retardants, concentrations of phosphorus FRs (both halogenated and non-halogenated) are now higher, and further work is needed to assess the possible risks posed and measures to reduce this.