Qualitative determination of 10,10'-oxybisphenoxarsine and decabromodiphenyl ether in plastics

Plastics destined for facilities holding aquatic fauna, such as aquaculture and aquatic toxicology laboratories, were studied. The plastics were extracted with dichloromethane. The fungicide 10,10'-oxybisphenoxarsine (OBPA) was detected by silver nitrate after cleanup on a silica cartridge and TLC in petroleum ether-diethyl ether-acetic acid 80:20:1. The flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPO) was crystallized from dichloromethane and confirmed by IR spectrum. A UV-spectrophotometric method is suggested for the estimation of the leaching potential of additives from plastics.