This application note demonstrates quantitative analysis of a toxic flame retardant Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP) in polyurethane foam by Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) and Multi-step Pyrolysis (MSP) with GC/MS method.
Flame retardants are often added to industrial and consumer products to meet flammability standards for furniture, textiles, electronics, and insulation products. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), particularly penta-BDE and octa-BDE, were introduced in 1970s and quickly became the largest product on the flame retardant market1 until they were officially banned in the EU from August 2004 and listed as pollutant in the Stockholm Convention2 due to various health risks3. As an alternative to PBDEs, tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) emerged from the market and became the major flame retardant used for the polyurethane foam in furniture and automobiles4. Even though the European Union considered TDCPP safe for its intended uses5, animal studies have suggested that TDCPP is neurotoxic, an endocrine disruptor, and a reproductive toxicant6.
In this application note, a polyurethane foam sample was quantitatively tested against TDCPP on the trace level. The analysis was performed on a CDS 6150 Pyroprobe that was connected to a GC-MS.
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