Persistent Organic Pollutants in Institutional Mattresses Project

Descriptions

As part of the Chemicals Programme we need to better understand the potential impact of bromine in institutional mattresses. Brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) and chlorinated paraffins are reported to be present in foams and textile in waste institutional mattresses. These might include persistent organic pollutants (POPs) like short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) (CAS 85535-84-8) and medium chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) (CAS 85535-85-9) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These are comprised of multiple components such as decabrominated diphenyl ether (decaBDE) (CAS 1163-19-5). Hazardous chemicals may also be present, such as hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) (CAS 25637-99-4) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) (CAS 79-94-7). Institutional mattresses are mattresses that are used in facilities such as hospitals, care homes, mental health institutions, prisons and police stations, they do not include mattresses from domestic settings. This study will specifically focus on the foam mattresses with a waterproof plastic covering found in these facilities. Information for institutional mattresses suggests those used in Prison and Mental Health institutions are considered at very high risk of fire and therefore may have a higher flame retardancy. Those at nursing homes and certain hospital wards, are of medium-high risk of fire and those in a domestic setting are considered lower risk. Institutional mattresses tend to be made out of a polyurethane foam flame retardant inner with a waterproof flame-retardant PVC coated polyester textile or polyurethane outer covering. The key objectives of this project are to sample and analyse these foams and textiles to: •provide evidence on whether foam or textile in institutional mattresses contain persistent organic pollutants •provide an initial estimate of the proportion of foams and textiles removed from institutional mattresses that contain brominated flame retardants, and the levels they contain, using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) scanning •provide an initial estimate of the proportion of foams and textiles removed from institutional mattresses that contain chlorinated paraffins (specifically MCCPs and SCCPs), and the levels they contain, using XRF scanning •provide an analysis of foams and textiles identified as containing bromine or chlorine by XRF, to determine which BFRs and chlorinated paraffins are present, including any that are POPs. Analysis of other chemicals of concern (for example Dechlorane Plus, UV-328 and any other potential POPs) should be considered to maximise sampling and analysis effort. To apply please send an email notification of participation to sam.lusted@environment-agency.gov.uk. Please copy in susan.froud@environment-agency.gov.uk and chemicalsprogramme@environment-agency.gov.uk. Your final response is to be submitted no later than 23:55 on Wednesday 19 October 2023.