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Toddler behavior, the home environment, and flame retardant exposure
Eva J Sugeng1, Marijke de Cock1, Pim E G Leonards1
1Environment and Health, Faculty of Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081, HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Chemosphere
|April 2, 2020
Summary
Toddlers
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Toddlers face higher flame retardant (FR) exposure due to behaviors like hand-to-mouth contact.
- FR exposure is linked to endocrine disruption and neurodevelopmental issues.
- Prior studies show elevated FRs in toddlers, but specific behavioral links are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between toddler behaviors and flame retardant (FR) levels in hand wipes (HWs) and saliva.
- To identify specific behaviors that may increase or decrease FR exposure in young children.
Main Methods:
- Observed and surveyed behaviors of 50 toddlers (8-18 months old).
- Collected hand wipes (HWs) and saliva samples.
- Analyzed HWs for various flame retardants, including TCEP, TDCIPP, and TCIPP.
Main Results:
- Frequent hand-to-object contact correlated with higher levels of several FRs in HWs.
- Playing with electronics weekly was linked to increased TDCIPP HW levels.
- Frequent mouth-to-object behavior and pacifier mouthing were associated with lower TDCIPP and TCIPP HW levels, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Toddler behaviors show some association with FR hand contamination, but may not solely explain elevated levels.
- Further research into dermal absorption and inhalation pathways is warranted.
- Findings highlight the need to understand multiple exposure routes for FRs in toddlers.
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