Contents and Health Risks of Organic Phosphorus Esters in Plastic Runway Products

Abstract

Using ultrasonic assisted extraction, column chromatograph purification and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer(GC-MS) analysis method to quantify the contents of seven kinds of organic phosphorus ester(OPEs) in plastic tracks in Chengdu City. The recovery rates of this method ranged from 71.41% to 110.58% and the correlation coefficient (r) of the standard curve was higher than 0.99, which demonstrates satisfying quality control. Plastic track samples were collected from twelve schools in Chengdu. The results show that OPEs are detected in two-thirds of plastic track samples. TnBP[Tri-n-butyl phosphate] and TEHP[tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate] were detected with high frequency, while TCEP[tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate], TDCPP[tridichloropropyl phosphate] and TPhP[triphenyl phosphate] were not detected in any samples. Contents of the total OPEs (Σ7OPEs) in the plastic track ranged from ND to 534.89 ng·g-1. TnBP was identified at the highest content levels (ND-462.18 ng·g-1). TCPP[Trichloropropyl phosphate], a chlorinated phosphate with higher toxicity, was detected in one sample with a contents of 205.94 ng·g-1. The average exposure dose for adults was 0.14 ng·(kg·d)-1, lower than that for children of 0.64 ng·(kg·d)-1. Risk quotients of OPEs for adults and children were only 10-7 -10-5 and could be ignored. These results indicate that the government should limit the consumption, as well as the type of OPEs which are added to plastic tracks, to protect population health.