Detection of endocrine disrupting activities and organophosphate flame retardants in Taiwanese elementary schools

Abstract

Indoor dust which is absorbed by human body via inhalation or ingestion may contain carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting substances and pose a threat to people staying indoors for a long time To understand the occurrence of endocrine disrupting compounds in indoor dust of Taiwan this study used bioassays to detect androgen receptor (AR) glucocorticoid receptor (GR) thyroid hormone receptor (TR) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) disrupting activities in dust collected from Taiwanese elementary schools Concentrations of methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (MeP) and their chlorinated derivatives n-propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (PrP) bisphenol A (BPA) and their chlorinated derivatives triclosan (TCS) and 6 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) including tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP) triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) tributoxyethyl phosphate (TBEP) tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP) and tris(1 3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP) in indoor dust samples were also analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry Bioassay results showed that significant GR antagonist and AhR agonist activities were detected in all indoor dust samples whereas no AR/GR/TR agonist activities were found in any dust samples Instrumental results revealed that 6 OPFRs MeP PrP BPA and TCS were often detected in Taiwanese elementary schools Our findings suggested that the issue of endocrine disrupting substances and emerging contaminants in indoor environment cannot be ignored

Date of Award	2020
Original language	English
Supervisor	Pei-Hsin Chou (Supervisor)