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Toxic gas generation from plastic mattresses and sudden infant death syndrome
D W Warnock1, H T Delves, C K Campell
1PHLS Mycology Reference Laboratory, Public Health Laboratory, Bristol, UK.
Abstract:
Microbial generation of toxic gases from antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus in compounds used as fire retardants in cot mattresses has been proposed as a cause of sudden infant death. To test this hypothesis, 23 polyvinyl chloride mattress samples from cot death cases were incubated on malt agar plates until good microbial growth was obtained. Silver nitrate and mercuric chloride test papers were then inserted and the colour reactions recorded. The predominant organism, recovered from all mattresses tested, was not, as claimed in earlier work, the fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, but a mix of common environmental Bacillus spp. Test paper colour changes occurred whenever bacterial growth was present, but these reactions also occurred in control tests in which no mattress material was present on the plates. Chemical and instrumental analyses of exposed test papers showed that the colour reactions were not due to deposits of antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that toxic gases derived from antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus are a cause of sudden infant death. More sulphur was found in test papers exposed in plates containing bacterial growth than in those without such growth. This result suggests that the test paper reactions were due to the generation of sulphur-containing compounds during bacterial growth on the agar medium.
Insights
This study investigated toxic gases from cot mattress fire retardants as a cause of sudden infant death. Findings do not support this hypothesis, indicating microbial sulfur compound generation instead.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been linked to toxic gases from fire retardants in cot mattresses.
- Antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus compounds in these retardants were suspected to produce toxic gases via microbial action.
- The fungus Scopulariopsis brevicaulis was previously implicated in this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that microbial generation of toxic gases from antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus in cot mattress fire retardants causes SIDS.
- To identify the microorganisms involved and the nature of the gas production.
Main Methods:
- Polyvinyl chloride mattress samples from SIDS cases were incubated with malt agar to promote microbial growth.
- Silver nitrate and mercuric chloride test papers were used to detect gas reactions.
- Chemical and instrumental analyses were performed on exposed test papers.
- Microbial identification focused on dominant organisms recovered from mattresses.
Main Results:
- A mix of common environmental Bacillus species, not Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, was the predominant organism found.
- Test paper color changes occurred with bacterial growth but also in controls without mattress material.
- Chemical analyses ruled out antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus as the cause of color reactions.
- Increased sulfur content in test papers exposed to bacterial growth suggested sulfur compound generation.
Conclusions:
- The study does not support the hypothesis linking toxic gases from antimony, arsenic, or phosphorus in cot mattress fire retardants to SIDS.
- Observed test paper reactions were likely due to sulfur-containing compounds produced by common bacteria during growth on the agar medium.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific sulfur compounds and their role, if any, in infant health outcomes.