Hexabromocyclododecane in polystyrene based consumer products: An evidence of unregulated use

• Comprehensive report on a database of HBCD in various polystyrene (PS) products.
• Expanded PS, extruded PS foam, and extruded PS of different categories were selected.
• Highest concentration of HBCD was detected in EPS.
• High concentration of HBCD was also detected in some food-related materials.
• Data indicated unregulated use of HBCD and other brominated flame retardants in PS.

Polystyrene (PS) is made flame retardant by combining with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). HBCD can release from consumer products during their production, use or disposal. As a result, it has become a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment with a high potential for bioaccumulation. Therefore, to evaluate the extent of exposure to HBCD from PS, we determined the concentration of HBCD in a variety of products (n = 34) made from three types of commonly used PS: expanded PS (EPS), extruded PS foam (XPS), and extruded PS. The concentration of HBCD was highest in EPS, with a mean value and range of 475 643 ± 16 710 ng g−1 and 106–960 000 ng g−1, respectively. PS related to building construction and laboratory uses had a significantly higher concentration of HBCD (3300–905 000 ng g−1), except XPS styroboard (191 ± 100 ng g−1). Lower concentrations were measured in most food-related products (24.3–199 ng g−1). However, a relatively high concentration of HBCD was detected in an ice box (960 000 ± 29 000 ng g−1), aquaculture buoy (53 500 ± 2100 ng g−1), and disposable tray (8430 ± 730 ng g−1) used in fish market, raising concern for public health. Our data demonstrate a wide variation in the concentration of HBCD, suggesting a lack of proper controls for the addition of HBCD to PS products. Other brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were also detected in a majority of the XPS products (TBBPA = 3.83–545 ng g−1, BTBPE = 44–216 ng g−1 and DBDPE = 215–4200 ng g−1). Thus, HBCD is being added to PS along with other BFRs that cannot be ignored.