DETERMINATION OF HEXABROMOCYCLODODECANES (HBCDs) IN DIFFERENT POLYSTYRENE PRODUCTS

Abstract

The widespread occurrence of 1,2,5,6,9,10-Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in different environmental segments and food commodities has raised a concern among the environmentalists and food chemists. It is one of the most frequently used additive brominated flame retardants(BFRs) worldwide and mainly applied in expanded polystyrene (EPS)and extruded polystyrene (XPS) foams (0.7 to 2.5% HBCDs). EPS and XPS are used for making insulation board along with the packing anddisposables. The industrial application of HBCD has increased during the last decade after restriction on PBDEs. To date, there is no restriction on the production or use of HBCD. Because of widespread use of HBCDs coupled with its persistence and toxicity, a database on its level in polystyrene used for several applications is of paramount importance. Various products of EPS and XPS used in the area of food, construction, laboratory and packing of electrical and electronic appliance were collected. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric chemical ionization tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of selected emerging flame retardant. Results indicate that the level of HBCDs is found to be 4times higher in EPS products han that of XPS. In both the cases, PS related to construction and laboratory has a significantly higher level of HBCDs which justify the use (12-2300 μg/g). Lower concdditive brominated flame retardants(BFRs) worldwide and mainly applied in expanded polystyrene (EPS)and extruded polystyrene (XPS) foams (0.7 to 2.5% HBCDs). EPS and XPS are used for making insulation board along with the packing anddisposables. The industrial application of HBCD has increased during the last decade after restriction on PBDEs. To date, there is no restriction on the production or use of HBCD. Because of widespread use of HBCDs coupled with its persistence and toxicity, a database on its level in polystyrene used for several applications is of paramount importance. Various products of EPS and XPS used in the area of food, construction, laboratory and packing of electrical and electronic appliance were collected. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric chemical ionization tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry was used for the analysis of selected emerging flame retardant. Results indicate that the level of HBCDs is found to be 4times higher in EPS products han that of XPS. In both the cases, PS related to construction and laboratory has a significantly higher level of HBCDs which justify the use (12-2300 μg/g). Lower conc