The organophosphorus PIN FR DOPO*, and three derivatives (ETA-, EG- and EDA-DOPO) were tested in vitro (i.e. screening test, not with living organisms) for neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity and in vivo for algae and daphnia ecotoxicity, comparing to “PBDE-99”.
Both ETA-DOPO and DOPO showed no neurotoxicity, no effects on neural crest cells or human skin cells, and no effect (down to 400 µM) on algae or daphnia. These results relevant to inhalation, skin exposure, sensitisation and neurotoxicity, and the flame retardant properties of ETA-DOPO and its compatibility with polyurethane foams lead the authors to suggest it as a possible candidate flame retardant, with preferable environmental properties, for such applications.
* DOPO = 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide. “Multiparameter toxicity assessment of novel DOPO‑derived organophosphorus flame retardants”, C. Hirsch et al., Arch Toxicol 2016 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00204-016-1680-4