Brominated flame retardants in laboratory air

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Toxicology

Background:

• Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are widely used in consumer products.
• Concerns exist regarding the bioaccumulation and potential health effects of BFRs.
• Accurate determination of BFRs in biological matrices is crucial for exposure assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for determining BFRs in human plasma and serum.
• To identify the source of BFR contamination during method development.
• To investigate the adsorption behavior of BFRs in a laboratory setting.

Main Methods:

• Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was employed for sample preparation.
• Procedural blanks were analyzed to detect contaminants.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) likely used for identification and quantification (details not in abstract).

Main Results:

• Several BFRs were detected in procedural blanks, indicating contamination.
• The primary source of contamination was identified as laboratory air.
• BFRs were found to adsorb onto glass surfaces and be acquired during SPE.
• 2,4,6-Tribromophenol, BDE-47, and BDE-99 were the most prevalent BFRs in the lab air.
• Significant variations in contamination levels were observed based on sampling time and location.

Conclusions:

• Laboratory air is a significant source of BFR contamination in human plasma and serum analyses.
• BFRs' adsorption to glass surfaces and SPE materials necessitates careful control of the laboratory environment.
• Methodological modifications are required to mitigate BFR contamination and ensure accurate human exposure data.