Flame retardants on the surface of phones and personal computers

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 609; pp. 541 - 545
• Main Authors: Zheng, Xiaobo, Sun, Runxia, Qiao, Lin, Guo, Huiying, Zheng, Jing, Mai, Bixian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 31.12.2017
• Subjects: Dermal contact; Flame retardants; Mobile phones; Personal computers; Flame retardants; Dermal contact; Mobile phones; Personal computers
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.202

Mobile phones and personal computers (PCs) are essential products that are frequently contacted in daily life. Thus, phones and computers containing flame retardants (FRs) may play vital roles in human exposure to FRs. We measured several FRs, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), tetrabromobisphenol (TBBPA), and phosphate flame retardants (PFRs), on the surfaces of phones and PCs (laptop keyboards and mice). Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP, 228pg/cm2) and tris(chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP, 43pg/cm2) were the most abundant chemicals on the surfaces of phones, while TPHP (65pg/cm2), TCIPP (48pg/cm2), and DBDPE (22pg/cm2) were dominant on the surfaces of PCs. The usage time and time after the production of the electronics were not significantly correlated with the FR concentrations, except for that of BDE 209. The concentrations of FRs differed on the surfaces of different brands of electronics. Dermal contact with the surface of electronics may contribute to human exposure to FRs, which should be of concern. [Display omitted] •Flame retardants were measured on wipes of phones and PCs.•TPHP and TCIPP were the most abundant FRs on phone wipes and PC wipes.•FR levels on phone and PC wipes varied with brands.•Usage time and time after production were not correlated with levels of most FRs.