Flame retardants in the indoor environment - Part II: release of VOCs (triethylphosphate and halogenated degradation products) from polyurethane T. Salthammer, F. Fuhrmann, E. Uhde Abstract Organophosphate esters, halogenated and non-halogenated, are frequently used for fire protection of building materials. With regard to toxicological profiles it is desired to avoid human exposure in the indoor environment. Moreover, some hazardous volatile organic compounds detected in indoor air are directly linked to the utilization of flame retardants. In this study, different polyurethane (PUR) products for building and indoor use treated with organophosphate flame retardants were tested in 1 m3 emission test chambers. Emissions of flame retardants and degradation products were measured under living conditions. A PUR hard foam sample showed area-specific emission rates >100 g/m2 h for the compound triethylphosphate. During the tests several chlorinated degradation products of organophophorous flame retardants could be identified in the chamber air. Practical Implications Building products for indoor use need to be evaluated with respect to emission of volatile organic components. This is especially the case for fire protected materials like polyurethane, as many flame retardants or their degradation products may adversely affect human health and comfort. Furthermore, the use of recycling products made of waste polyurethane is more and more increasing. The influence of the recycling process on chemical reactions of flame retardants must be investigated because, even low emissions of hazardous degradation products will devaluate such materials in case of ranking and labeling. This effect would turn back the positive aspect of recycling. Indoor Air Volume 13 Issue 1 Page 49 - March 2003 Salthammer Fraunhofer-Institut für Holzforschung, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut, Bienroder Weg 54 E, D-38108 Brunswick, Germany Tel: +49 531 2155 350 Fax: +49 531 2155 905 e-mail: salthammer@wki.fhg.de Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.