Toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of an isomeric mixture of tris(chloropropyl) phosphate administered in feed to Sprague Dawley (Hsd:Sprague Dawley SD) rats and B6C3F1/N mice

Abstract

Tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP) is used as a flame retardant in textiles, furniture foam, and other related products. In addition, it is manufactured for use in construction materials, electronic products, paints, coatings, and adhesives. Several flame retardants, including structurally similar organohalogen compounds, have been removed from products in commerce due to toxicity concerns, and TCPP has been proposed as a replacement flame retardant for use in these products. An anticipated increase in use of TCPP has generated concerns for increased human exposure through oral, dermal, and inhalation routes; however, publicly available toxicity data are scarce. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission therefore requested that the National Toxicology Program (NTP) form a research program on TCPP to conduct subchronic and chronic exposure studies in rats and mice for hazard identification and characterization information. Because TCPP is commercially available as an isomeric mixture, the NTP studies tested a commercial TCPP product containing four isomers commonly found in other commercial mixtures of TCPP: tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP; CASRN 13674-84-5), bis(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) 2-chloropropyl phosphate (CASRN 76025-08-6), bis(2-chloropropyl) 2-chloroisopropyl phosphate (CASRN 76649-15-5), and tris(2-chloropropyl) phosphate (CASRN 6145-73-9). Following procurement of TCPP, the percent purity of the four isomers was determined prior to conducting hazard characterization studies. (Abstract Abridged).