Hexabromocyclododecane in polystyrene based consumer products: An evidence of unregulated use

Abstract

Polystyrene (PS) is made flame retardant by combining with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD can release from consumer products during their production, use or disposal. As a result, it has become a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment with a high potential for bioaccumulation. Therefore, to evaluate the extent of exposure to HBCD from PS, we determined the concentration of HBCD in a variety of products (n = 34) made from three types of commonly used PS: expanded PS (EPS), extruded PS foam (XPS), and extruded PS. The concentration of HBCD was highest in EPS, with a mean value and range of 475643 +/- 16710 ng g(-1) and 106-960000 ng g(-1), respectively. PS related to building construction and laboratory uses had a significantly higher concentration of HBCD (3300-905000 ng g(-1)), except XPS styroboard (191 +/- 100 ng g(-1)). Lower concentrations were measured in most food-related products (24.3-199 ng g(-1)). However, a relatively high concentration of HBCD was detected in an ice box (960000 +/- 29000 ng g(-1)), aquaculture buoy (53500 +/- 2100 ng g(-1)), and disposable tray (8430 +/- 730 ng g(-1)) used in fish market, raising concern for public health. Our data demonstrate a wide variation in the concentration of HBCD, suggesting a lack of proper controls for the addition of HBCD to PS products. Other brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were also detected in a majority of the XPS products (TBBPA = 3.83-545 ng g(-1), BTBPE = 44-216 ng g(-1), and DBDPE = 215-4200 ng g(-1)). Thus, HBCD is being added to PS along with other BFRs that cannot be ignored. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.