Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) are
high-production volume chemicals. Recent reports reveal that OPFRs are
ubiquitous in the environment. Unfortunately, the toxicity profiles for OPFRs
on organisms remain limited. Concerns over possible toxicity are growing as
organophosphorus flame retardants have been developed and used more frequently.
The majority of research on possible toxicity to date has concentrated on
simple phosphate esters, which can comprise aryl, alkyl, or even halogenated
phosphate esters in certain situations (which belong more appropriately in the
category of organohalogen flame retardants).
The inclusion of several kinds of esters into a single study leads to
muddled conclusions. Each class of phosphate esters should be subjected to
toxicity assessment separately. Further, the potential toxicity of the more
effective (lower level of oxygenation at phosphorus: phosphonates,
phosphinates, phosphine oxides) organophosphorus flame retardants has been
little explored. The few results available suggest that these compounds exhibit
no or minimal toxicity (lower than that of phosphates). This represents an area
that should be the focus of careful detailed studies to establish any potential
toxicity. Studies of the toxicity of phosphonates, phosphonites and phosphine
oxides, as separate classes, should be conducted. Reliable toxicity data for
organophosphorus compounds as a function of structure are needed.
Author(s) Details
Bob A. Howell
Science of Advanced Materials, Center for Applications in
Polymer Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Central Michigan
University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859-0001, United States.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rdcbr/v3/7869C
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