Plastics are complex mixtures consisting of a polymer and additives with different physico-chemical properties. We developed a broad screening method to elucidate the nature of compounds present in plastics used in electrical/electronic equipment commonly found at homes (e.g., electrical adaptors, computer casings, heaters). The analysis was done by (a) solvent extraction followed by liquid chr...

Biodegradable textiles made from cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, have gained attention researchers, due to ease with which cellulose can be chemically modified introduce multifunctional groups, and because of its renewable biodegradable nature. One attractive features required for civilian military applications is flame-retardancy. This review focuses on various methods employed fabric...

1 Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; 2 The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK; 3 VU University, Institute for Environmental Studies, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 4 Toxicolo...

U.S. Forest Service Examines Fire Retardant Policy As fire season in the western United States peaks, the U.S. Forest Service is incorporating public comments into a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) published earlier this year.1 The DEIS was developed in response to a July 2010 ruling by Montana’s Federal District Court that U.S. Forest Service protocols for aerial application of fir...

The spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and several alternative non-PBDE, non-regulated brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in air and seawater and the air-seawater exchange was investigated in East Greenland Sea using high-volume air and water samples. Total PBDE concentrations (Ó₁₀PBDEs) ranged from 0.09 to 1.8 pg m⁻³ in the atmosphere and from 0.03 to 0.64 pg L⁻¹ in...

The last large-scale ecotoxicological study of ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) in Chesapeake Bay was conducted in 2000-2001 and focused on U.S. EPA-designated Regions of Concern (ROCs; Baltimore Harbor/Patapsco, Anacostia/middle Potomac, and Elizabeth Rivers). In 2011-2012, ROCs were re-evaluated to determine spatial and temporal trends in productivity and contaminants. Concentrations of p,p'-DDE w...

Endocrine-disrupting compounds are exogenous agents that interfere with the natural hormones of the body. Human biological monitoring is a powerful method for monitoring exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds. In this review, we describe human biological monitoring systems for different groups of endocrine disrupting compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, brominated flame retardants, phthala...

The latest techniques used to prove, describe and analyze the gas phase activity of a fire retardant used in polymeric materials are briefly reviewed. Classical techniques, such as thermogravimetric analysis or microscale combustion calorimetry, as well as complex and advanced analytical techniques, such as modified microscale combustion calorimeter (MCC), molecular beam mass spectroscopy and v...

The flame retardancy of plywood should be improved as much possible while minimizing the impact on bonding strength plywood. Six commercial retardants and three laboratory synthesized phosphorous nitrogen were selected. E0, E1 E2 grade formaldehyde resins (UF) applied in this study to evaluate effect different curing time resin, strength, retardant performance, emission results show that additi...

A flame retardant used in children's sleepwear, tris-(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (Fyrol FR2) is a mutagen in the Salmonella-mammalian tissue homogenate test after it has been activated by mouse or rat liver homogenate. The expected enzymatic hydrolysis product, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol, is similarly a mutagen after activation by liver homogenate. A proposed metabolite of the flame retardant...