Organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticisers in surface waters

Organophosphates used as flame retardants, plasticisers and lubricants such as tris-(2-chloro-, 1-methyl-ethyl)-phosphate (TCPP), tris-(2-chloroethyl)-phosphate (TCEP) or tris-(2-chloro-, 1-chloromethyl-ethyl)-phosphate (TDCP), tri-n-butylphosphate (TnBP), tri-iso-butylphosphate (TiBP), triphenylphosphate (TPP) and tris-(butoxyethyl)-phosphate (TBEP) have been analysed in several rivers and sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents. The concentrations in the River Ruhr are 20-200 ng/l TCPP, 13-130 ng/l TCEP, about 50 ng/l TDCP, 10-200 ng/l TBEP and up to 40 ng/l TPP. The STP effluents exhibit concentrations up to 400 ng/l TCPP, 130 ng/l TCEP, about 120 ng/l TDCP and 500 ng/l TBEP, respectively. The main sources for the load of organophosphates are sewage treatment plants, but not all contribute equivalent to the amount of inhabitants they serve. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.