Topic of Interest

The topic I have chosen for my literature review is the flame retardant tris(1,3-dichloro propyl) phosphate (TDCPP). TDCPP is an organophosphorus flame retardant commonly added to polyurethane foams, which is used in upholstered furniture, automotive seat cushions, construction materials, and some baby products. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants had been used before TDCPP, but have since been banned in many counties and states due to their toxicity in humans. From my research, many agencies are starting to find out that TDCPP is also toxic, but I could not find any agencies that are currently regulating TDCPP.

State: TDCPP is monitored by states and some have guidelines around them, but I could not find a state that currently regulates TDCPP. I did find an article that suggested that 16 states in the US have bills in the works this year (2018) to ban or tightly restrict certain fire retardants from use in toys, child car seats, strollers and other children’s and household products, including TDCPP.
California lists TDCPP as a carcinogen under Prop 65, which requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment by adding a warning label to these products. But CA does not currently regulate the use of TDCPP.


Federal - The NIH is currently performing studies to understand the health effects of prolonged exposure to TDCPP
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has considered a ban on toxic flame retardants but does not currently have a regulation.

International - The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants is an international  treaty that aims to eliminate or restrict the production and use of persistent organic pollutants. however TDCPP is not currently on the list for elimination.


References:
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment [OEHHA] (2013). Proposition 65 in Plain Language. Retrieved from: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/general-info/proposition-65-plain-language
- Povich, E. (2018) States Aren't Waiting for Feds to Ban Flame Retardants From Kids' Products. Retrieved from: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2018/03/20/states-arent-waiting-for-feds-to-ban-flame-retardants-from-kids-products
- Stockholm Convention (n.d.). Hexabromobiphenyl. Retrieved from: http://chm.pops.int/Implementation/Alternatives/AlternativestoPOPs/ChemicalslistedinAnnexA/HBB/tabid/5860/Default.aspx

Comments

  1. Terrianne GOctober 15, 2018 at 12:09 PM

    that sound great! you can also research materials that maybe firefighters use too that could unknowingly, give them more exposure to those harmful chemicals, in conjunction to their jobs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 11, 2018 at 2:13 AM

    I love that this was your topic. Isn't it crazy how we have state and federal government agencies requiring the proclamation of chemical use, but do not do anything to actually ban or prevent the chemical from its use. I think it is outrageous that most laws require this but maybe its because there is not enough funding to actually emphasize and monitor the banning and disposal of certain chemicals, because almost anything manufactured needs to use chemical products for preservation purposes.

    ReplyDelete

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