Flame retardants from infants sleeping mats in dust. A study at seven Seattle, USA, childcare centres suggests that replacing flame retardant infant mats by non-FR mats led to very considerable reductions (-90% to -42%) in levels of four flame retardants in dust (BEHTBP, EHTBB, TBPP and TDCIPP). Calculated exposure levels for the flame retardants were however below established reference values.
“Exposure to brominated and organophosphate ester flame retardants in U.S. childcare environments: Effect of removal of flame-retarded nap mats on indoor levels”, W.A. Stubbings et al., Environmental Pollution 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.083 Acronyms: BEHTBP = bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate, EHTBB = 2-ethylhexyl tetrabromobenzoate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl), TDCIPP = tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP)
Dechlorane Plus declared SVHC. ECHA has added a further seven chemicals to the list of SVHCs (substances of very high concern), bringing the number to 181. Dechlorance Plus is a chlorinated flame retardant and is considered by ECHA to be vPvB (very persistant, very Bioaccumulative). Other chemicals added to the list include three cadmium salts (adding to five other cadmium compounds and the metal itself which are already classed SVHC). Suppliers of products containing more than 0.1% ww of any SVHC must inform customers and consumers, and importers or producers of such articles must inform ECHA.
“The Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) for authorisation now contains 181 substances” ECHA/PR/18/01, 15 January 2018 https://echa.europa.eu/-/seven-new-substances-added-to-the-candidate-list-entry-for-bisphenol-a-updated-to-reflect-its-endocrine-disrupting-properties-for-the-environment