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Assessment of spray polyurethane foam worker exposure to organophosphate flame retardants through measures in air, hand wipes, and urine
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
  • CF Estill
  • J Slone
  • et al
  • Mark J. La Guardia, Virginia Institute of Marine Science
  • et al
Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
7-1-2019
Abstract

Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP, also referenced as TCIPP), a flame retardant used in spray polyurethane foam insulation, increases cell toxicity and affects fetal development. Spray polyurethane foam workers have the potential to be exposed to TCPP during application. In this study, we determined exposure to TCPP and concentrations of the urinary biomarker bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCPP) among 29 spray polyurethane foam workers over 2 work days. Work was conducted at residential or commercial facilities using both open-cell (low density) and closed-cell (high density) foam. Study participants provided two personal air samples (Day 1 and Day 2), two hand wipe samples (Pre-shift Day 2 and Post-shift Day 2), and two spot urine samples (Pre-shift Day 1 and Post-shift Day 2). Bulk samples of cured spray foam were also analyzed. Sprayers were found to have significantly higher TCPP geometric mean (GM) concentration in personal air samples (87.1 mu g/m(3)), compared to helpers (30.2 mu g/m(3); p = 0.025). A statistically significant difference was observed between TCPP pre- and post-shift hand wipe GM concentrations (p = 0.004). Specifically, TCPP GM concentration in post-shift hand wipe samples of helpers (106,000 ng/sample) was significantly greater than pre-shift (27,300 ng/sample; p < 0.001). The GM concentration of the urinary biomarker BCPP (23.8 mu g/g creatinine) was notably higher than the adult male general population (0.159 mu g/g creatinine, p < 0.001). Urinary BCPP GM concentration increased significantly from Pre-shift Day 1 to Post-shift Day 2 for sprayers (p = 0.013) and helpers (p = 0.009). Among bulk samples, cured open-cell foam had a TCPP GM concentration of 9.23% by weight while closed-cell foam was 1.68%. Overall, post-shift BCPP urine concentrations were observed to be associated with TCPP air and hand wipe concentrations, as well as job position (sprayer vs. helper). Spray polyurethane foam workers should wear personal protective equipment including air-supplied respirators, coveralls, and gloves during application.

DOI

10.1080/15459624.2019.1609004

Keywords
  • Exposure assessment; organophosphate flame retardants (OFRs); spray polyurethane foam (SPF); sprayers; TCPP (TCIPP); TDCPP
Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Citation Information
CF Estill, J Slone, et al, Mark J. La Guardia, et al.. "Assessment of spray polyurethane foam worker exposure to organophosphate flame retardants through measures in air, hand wipes, and urine" Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Vol. 16 Iss. 7 (2019) p. 477 - 488
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/m-laguardia/5/