Recent research development on human health associated with organophosphorus flame retardants

Abstract

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) pollution and its impacts on human health are of global concern. The review briefly reviewed the current state-of-knowledge on exposure assessment and epidemiological evidence of OPFRs-related health effects. Specifically, this paper provided an overview and comparison of the levels of respiratory and gastrointestinal exposure to OPFRs and their body burden in different populations worldwide; summarized potential adverse effects of long-term low-level OPFRs exposure on children's neurodevelopment, adults' reproductive system, and thyroid function. Available epidemiological studies have revealed that the OPFRs exposure level of Chinese population is low, and rice consumption may be a potential source of exposure to OPFRs; OPFRs such as tris (1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) have both neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, and possibly affect the thyroid function in adults and increase the risk of wheezing and eczema in children. Finally, the future research focus on population exposure and health effects of OPFRs was prospected.

Keywords

• organophosphorus flame retardants
• environmental exposure
• neurodevelopment
• thyroid
• reproductive system
• epidemiology