Do fabrics in stuffed toys absorb pesticides and flame retardants from residential homes

CHED 1081

Alexa R. New, anew@chatham.edu, Department of Biology, Chatham University, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232 and Renee L. Falconer, Department of Chemistry, Chatham University, Woodland Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15232.
In recent studies, the levels of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCs) in stuffed children's toys showed substantial levels of PBDEs in the outer shells of the toys, while OC pesticide levels were significant throughout most toys studied. Significant levels of both these chemical types have also been found in indoor air in residential homes. The current project was designed to further examine the presence of these chemicals in children's stuffed toys by determining if absorption from indoor air is a possible source onto the toys. Concurrent indoor air samples and stuffed toy samples were placed in homes in western Pennsylvania for two weeks then analyzed for concentrations of OCs and PBDEs. Preliminary data suggests that absorption of both PBDEs and OC pesticides from indoor air onto stuffed toys occurs. Levels due to absorption may be significant but further study of other sources needs to be done.