Hexabromocyclododecane in polystyrene based consumer products: An evidence of unregulated use

Abstract

Polystyrene (PS) is made flame retardant by combining with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD can release from consumer products during their production, use or disposal. As a result, it has become a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment with a high potential for bioaccumulation. Therefore, to evaluate the extent of exposure to HBCD from PS, we determined the concentration of HBCD in a variety of products (n=34) made from three types of commonly used PS: expanded PS (EPS), extruded PS foam (XPS), and extruded PS. The concentration of HBCD was highest in EPS, with a mean value and range of 475643±16710ngg−1 and 106–960000ngg−1, respectively. PS related to building construction and laboratory uses had a significantly higher concentration of HBCD (3300–905000ngg−1), except XPS styroboard (191±100ngg−1). Lower concentrations were measured in most food-related products (24.3–199ngg−1). However, a relatively high concentration of HBCD was detected in an ice box (960000±29000ngg−1), aquaculture buoy (53500±2100ngg−1), and disposable tray (8430±730ngg−1) used in fish market, raising concern for public health. Our data demonstrate a wide variation in the concentration of HBCD, suggesting a lack of proper controls for the addition of HBCD to PS products. Other brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were also detected in a majority of the XPS products (TBBPA=3.83–545ngg−1, BTBPE=44–216ngg−1 and DBDPE=215–4200ngg−1). Thus, HBCD is being added to PS along with other BFRs that cannot be ignored.