Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
Environ Int. 2014 Apr;65:54-62. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.12.019. Epub 2014 Jan 25.
Most of the materials used in consumer goods contain a number of additives which are meant to improve key properties like plasticity or flame resistance. At the end-of-life of the product, many polymeric materials are recycled and the additives they contain, such as flame retardants (FRs) and plasticizers, are transferred to the newly manufactured goods. We have investigated the occurrence and profiles of FRs, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and phosphate FR (PFRs) and of plasticisers, such as phthalate esters, in 106 toys samples. Low levels and detection frequencies of components of the technical Penta-BDE and Deca-BDE mixtures were found, with BDE 209 being the dominant PBDE in all samples (maximum value was 0.14mg/g or 0.014%). The levels of PFRs and phthalates were up to 10,000 times higher than those of the PBDEs, with triphenyl phosphate and diethylhexyl phthalate being the major representatives of these classes. Maximum values were 1.3 and 6.9%, respectively. The detection frequencies were up to 50% for PFRs and 98% for phthalates. All but one of the toys produced after the REACH regulation went into force complied with its provisions. The samples were grouped according to relevant selection criteria to assess the risk for children of different age groups. Using models in the literature, exposure to these chemicals was tentatively assessed. It is clear that at the levels found in the investigated toys, these additives do not contribute to the intended characteristics of the materials, but in some cases may pose a health hazard to the children. Most likely, recycled materials are an important source of these additives in toys and therefore, their (re)use in products for children should be subject to stricter restrictions.
大多数消费品材料都含有许多添加剂，旨在改善关键性能，如塑性或耐燃性。在产品生命周期结束时，许多聚合物材料被回收利用，其中所含的添加剂，如阻燃剂 (FRs) 和增塑剂，会转移到新制造的商品中。我们研究了 106 个玩具样品中 FRs（如多溴二苯醚 (PBDEs) 和磷酸盐 FR (PFRs)）和增塑剂（如邻苯二甲酸酯）的出现和分布情况。发现技术五溴二苯醚和十溴二苯醚混合物的组成成分的含量和检测频率都较低，所有样品中均以 BDE 209 为主（最高值为 0.14mg/g 或 0.014%）。PFRs 和邻苯二甲酸盐的水平比 PBDEs 高 10,000 倍，其中磷酸三苯酯和邻苯二甲酸二己酯是这两类的主要代表。最高值分别为 1.3%和 6.9%。检测频率高达 50%的 PFRs 和 98%的邻苯二甲酸盐。REACH 法规生效后生产的玩具中，除了一个，其余均符合规定。根据相关选择标准对样品进行分组，以评估不同年龄组儿童的风险。使用文献中的模型，初步评估了接触这些化学物质的情况。显然，在所研究的玩具中发现的这些添加剂水平并没有为材料的预期特性做出贡献，但在某些情况下可能对儿童的健康构成威胁。很可能，回收材料是玩具中这些添加剂的重要来源，因此，它们在儿童产品中的（再）使用应受到更严格的限制。
