Organophosphates plasticizers/flame retardants

Carlsson H, Nilsson U, Becker G, Ostman C (1997) Organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in the indoor environment analytical methodology and occurrence. Environ Sci Technol 31 2931-2396... 

Andresen J, Bester K (2006) Elimination of organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in drinking water purification. Water Res 40 621-629... 

Organophosphoms compounds, primarily phosphonic acids, are used as sequestrants, scale inhibitors, deflocculants, or ion-control agents in oil wells, cooling-tower waters, and boiler-feed waters. Organophosphates are also used as plasticizers and flame retardants in plastics and elastomers, which accounted for 22% of PCl consumed. Phosphites, in conjunction with Hquid mixed metals, such as calcium—zinc and barium—cadmium heat stabilizers, function as antioxidants and stabilizer adjutants. In 1992, such phosphoms-based chemicals amounted to slightly more than 6% of all such plastic additives and represented 8500 t of phosphoms. Because PVC production is expected to increase, the use of phosphoms additive should increase 3% aimually through 1999. 

Organophosphate triesters (OPERs) are used as flame retardants and/or plasticizers in a wide range of polymers, in furniture upholstery, insulation, wall coverings, and floor finishing products. Triethyl phosphate (TEP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP), tri-iso-butyl phosphate (T/BP), tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) are commonly used as plasticizers in polymers,... 

Garcia M, Rodriguez I, Cela R (2007) Microwave-assisted extraction of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers from indoor dust samples. J Chromatogr A 1152 280-286... 

Hartmann PC, Biirgi D, Giger W (2004) Organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in indoor air. Chemosphere 57 781-787... 

The phosphoric acid triesters (organophosphates, not to be mistaken for organophosphorous pesticides) are, like phthalates, plasticizers mixed into polymers to increase flexibility and workability. Unlike phthalates they are remarkable flame retardants as well. The total European production of phosphorous-base flame... 

Table 11.3 Organophosphates (plasticizers and flame retardants) in house dust (mgkg ). 

Relatively Httle is known about industrial organophosphates, such as triphenyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, and tris(chloropropyl) phosphate. These compounds are used as plasticizers and flame retardants and are likely to reach the marine environment. Six organophosphates were detected in the water of Osaka Bay in concentrations ranging from 0.1 pg/1 to 1.3 pg/1. The compounds tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate and tributyl phosphate were the most abundant [144]. 

Matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) integrates extraction and clean-up in a single step, and greatly speeds-up sample throughput. It has also been proposed for the isolation of several organophosphate esters, mainly flame retardants and plasticizers in indoor dust samples (Garcia et al. 2007). 

Plasticizers are mixed into polymers to increase flexibility and workability. The phosphoric acid esters, i.e., organophosphates, are also remarkable flame retardants, and for this reason they are extensively used in plastics." At present, some 300 plasticizers are manufactured, of which at least 100 are of commercial importance. Most reports on plasticizers known to be present in the indoor environment are either on phthalate esters (phthalates) or on phosphate esters (organophosphates). Their production capacities are high, they may reach from some thousand tons per year (e.g., TCEP) up to some million tons (DEHP) (Table 17.5.2). 

First, but very few, results on the occurrence of phthalates indoors were collected by Warns.The first report on the occurrence of a flame retardant plasticizer in house dust was on TDCPP. Sellstrom and Jansson mentioned it to be present in one out of two Swedish dust samples (from vacuum cleaner bags) but gave no concentration. In the last years however, quite a few results on phthalates and organophosphate plasticizers have been published. Some of them are compiled in Tables 17.5.5 and 17.5.6. 

House dust from public buildings (Germany) with buildings parts supposed to contain organophosphates flame retarding plasticizers,... 

Antistatic finishes and antioxidants normally used on synthetic fibers are added to the polymer melt prior to polyolefin fiber formation. The most common antioxidants used include hindered substituted phenols, organo-metallic antioxidants, and substituted phenols. Blending of comaiomers with polyolefin prior to fiber formation is used not only to improve dye-abil ity but al so to plasticize the fiber and improve other fiber properties. Polyolefins may be effectively made flame retardant through incorporation of a metal oxide such as antimony oxide in conjunction with a brominated hydrocarbon or brominated organophosphate. 

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