Project's information

Project's title Develop a set of standard procedures to analyze flame retardants in the environment and flame retardant materials and evaluate the level of hazard to human health
Project’s code TĐPCCC.05/21-23
Research hosting institution Institute of Chemistry
Project leader’s name Ph.D. Trinh Thu Ha
Project duration 01/01/2021 - 31/12/2024
Project’s budget 5,500 million VND
Classify Grade A
Goal and objectives of the project

- Develop standard procedures to analyze flame retardants in household products and indoor dust and water samples.
- The study evaluated the correlation between the content of flame retardants in indoor dust and their accumulation in the bodies of Vietnamese people. 
- Study on exposure levels and human health risks of flame retardants in indoor dust.

Main results

- The standard procedures for analyzing flame retardants in environments, including indoor dust and surface water samples, have been developed. The standard procedures for analyzing flame retardants in household materials, including foam and fabric of upholstery fabric, have been developed. In addition, a method for analyzing metabolites of flame retardants in urine was developed.
+ A procedure has been developed to analyze 5 new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) (HCDBCO, BTBPE, TBPH, DBBPE, TBBPA-DBPE) in indoor dust samples on GC-MS equipment with good recovery of 97.5 - 100.5 %, limit of detection (LOD) of  the method of 05 NBFRs in the range of 0.22 – 0.72 ng/g, limit of quantification (LOQ) of method of 05 NBFRs in the range 0.73 – 2.4 ng/g. 
+ A procedure has been developed to analyze 14 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) (TnBP, TCEP, TCIPP (1,2,3), DBPP, TDCIPP, TPhP, TBOEP, EHDPP, TEHP, TOCP, TMCP, TPCP) in indoor dust samples on GC-MS equipment with a good recovery of 80.8 - 103%, limit of detection (LOD) of  the method of 14 OPFRs in the range of 0.76 – 3.12 ng/g, limit of quantification (LOQ) of method of 14 OPFRs in the range 2.53 – 10.4 ng/g.
+ A procedure has been developed to analyze 05 new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) (HCDBCO, BTBPE, TBPH, DBBPE, TBBPA-DBPE) in water on a GC/MS instrument with good recoveries of 80.5 – 120.1 %, limit of detection (LOD) of  the method of 05 NBFRs in the range of 6 – 14 ng/mL, limit of quantification (LOQ) of method of 05 NBFRs in the range 20 – 45 ng/L. 
+ A procedure has been developed to analyze 06 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) (TnBP, TCEP, TCPP, TDCPP, TPP, TBEP) in water samples on GC/MS equipment with good recovery of 98 - 100.5 %, limit of detection (LOD) of  the method of 06 OPFRs in the range of 0.51 – 0.62 ng/mL, limit of quantification (LOQ) of method of 1.67 – 2.56 ng/L.
+ A procedure has been developed to analyze 06 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) (TnBP, TCEP, TCPP, TDCPP, TPP, TBEP) in upholstered furniture foam samples on a GC/MS instrument with a good recovery of 97, 5 - 100.5 %, limit of detection (LOD) of  the method of 6 OPFRs in the range of 1.01 - 1.39 ng/g, limit of quantification (LOQ) of method of  6 OPFRs in the range of 3.8 – 4.63 ng/g.
+ A procedure has been developed to analyze 06 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) (TnBP, TCEP, TCPP, TDCPP, TPP, TBEP) in fabric samples of upholstered furniture on a GC/MS instrument with a good recovery of 97.5 – 100.6 %, limit of detection (LOD) of  the method of 6 OPFRs in the range of  0.88 – 1.01 ng/g, limit of quantification (LOQ) of method of of 6 OPFRs in the range of  2.93 – 3.36 ng/g.
- The analytical procedures have been applied to analyze Hanoi's indoor dust and surface water samples (rivers and lakes). And also analyzed the flame retardants in foam, furniture upholstery, and curtain fabric collected from the market, and analyzed the metabolites of flame retardants in the urine of people in Hanoi.
- A set of data has been obtained on 06 organophosphorus flame retardants in surface water in 17 lakes and 06 rivers in the Hanoi area.  
- The risk of flame retardants in surface water to the ecosystem in rivers and lakes in Hanoi has been assessed.
- A set of data on 14 organophosphorus flame retardants in indoor dust in the Hanoi urban area has been obtained..  
- The correlation between the content of flame retardants in indoor air and accumulation in the body of Vietnamese people has been evaluated. 
- The exposure level and human health risks of flame retardants in indoor dust were assessed.
- Collected and analyzed metabolites of flame retardants in 61 urine samples collected from people in Hanoi, and estimated the exposure dose of people to flame retardants.
- Collected and analyzed flame retardants in 31 samples of upholstery fabric and 40 samples of curtain fabric collected at the market. The dermal exposure risk of these flame retardants to human health has been assessed.
- Traning: 01 Ph.D. and 05 Master.

Novelty and actuality and scientific meaningfulness of the results

- The project has developed six standard procedures for analyzing flame retardants in the environment and materials samples.
- The project has developed 2 sets of data on flame retardants in indoor dust and surface water in Hanoi.
- The project evaluated the risk of exposure and risks of flame retardants to human health and aquatic ecosystems in Hanoi.
- The project analyzed the metabolites of flame retardants in people's urine to evaluate people's exposure to flame retardants.

Products of the project

- Published articles: 
a) International Journal (SCI/SCIE): 03 published papers      
[1]. Minh Tue Thi Hoang, Giang Truong Le, Kadokami Kiwao, Hanh Thi Duong, Trung Quang Nguyen, Thang Quang Phan, Minh Quang Bui, Dung Anh Truong, Ha Thu Trinh. Occurrence and risk of human exposure to organophosphate flame retardants in indoor air and dust in Hanoi, Vietnam. 2023. Chemosphere, Vol. 328, page 138597. 
[2]. Dung Anh Truong, Ha Thu Trinh, Giang Truong Le, Thang Quang Phan, Hanh Thi Duong, Thien Thanh Lam Tran, Trung Quang Nguyen, Minh Tue Thi Hoang, Tuyen Van Nguyen. Occurrence and ecological risk assessment of organophosphate esters in surface water from rivers and lakes in urban Hanoi, Vietnam. 2023. Chemosphere, Vol. 331, page138805.
[3]. Ha Thu Trinh, Dung Anh Truong, Hanh Thi Duong, Thuy Minh Bui, Minh Tue Thi Hoang, Phuong Thu Thi Nguyen, Cuc Thi Dinh, Tuyen Van Nguyen, Lan Thu Thi Tran, Nga Thanh Thi Nguyen, Giang Truong Le. Investigation of urinary metabolites of organophosphate esters in Hanoi, Vietnam: Assessment exposure and estimated daily intake. 2024. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Vol. 86, pages 335–345.
b) National research papers
[1] Ho Nguyen Hoang, Duong Thi Hanh, Le Song Ha, Nguyen Thanh Duong, Trinh Thu Ha. Current situation and health risk assessment of acetaminophen and chlorpheniramine maleate in urban house dust from Hanoi, Vietnam. 2022. Vietnam Journal of Chemistry, Tập 60 (1), trang 116-122. 
[2] Hoang Thi Tue Minh, Duong Thi Hanh, Phan Quang Thang, Trinh Thu Hà. Occurrence and human exposure risk assessment of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in indoor dust in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. 2023. Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology, Tập 61 (4), trang 666-680.
[3] Hoang Nguyen Ho, Ha Thu Trinh, Manh Duy Tran, Hanh Thi Duong, Cuc Thi Dinh. Current situation and health risk assessment of neonicotinoids insecticides in urban indoor dust from HaNoi, VietNam. 2023. Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology, Tập 61 (6), trang 1027-1037.
[4] Trương Anh Dũng, Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương, Mai Thị Huyền Thương, Đoàn Hà Phương, Đoàn Bích Hòa, Nguyễn Thị Thu Hằng, Nguyễn Thị Hạnh, Trịnh Thu Hà. Đánh giá rủi ro của chất chống cháy tributyl phosphate (TBP) đối với hệ sinh thái trong một số hồ tại Hà Nội, Việt Nam. 2023. Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ, Trường Đại học Công nghiệp Hà Nội, Tập 59 (1) trang 116-120. 
[5] Trịnh Thu Hà, Đinh Thị Cúc, Đoàn Hà Phương, Nguyễn Thị Tâm, Nguyễn Thị Hạnh, Nguyễn Thị Thu Phương, Dương Thị Hạnh. Xác định chất chống cháy  tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) và tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) trong vải rèm polyester. 2023. Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ, Trường Đại học Công nghiệp Hà Nội, Tập 59 (6A), trang 98-102.
[6] Trinh Thu Ha, Truong Anh Dzung, Nguyen Khanh Linh, Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong, Duong Thanh Anh, Nguyen Viet Toan, Nguyen Quynh Hoa, Tran Thi Thu Lan, Duong Thi Hanh. Levels and human health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor dust in Hanoi, Vietnam. 2023. Tạp chí Khoa học và Công nghệ, Đại học Công nghiệp Hà Nội. Tập 59 (6B), trang 109-115.
c) Reference book:
Lê Trường Giang, Trịnh Thu Hà (cb), Dương Thị Hạnh, Hoàng Thị Tuệ Minh, Trương Anh Dũng, Trần Thị Thu Lan, Hoàng Mai Hà. Chất chống cháy cơ phốt pho trong môi trường. Sách tham khảo, Nhà Xuất bản Khoa học Tự nhiên và Công nghệ, ISBN: 978-604-357-228-5. (2023).
- Specific products (stored at the Institute of Chemistry): 
[1] A procedure has been developed to analyze 5 new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in indoor dust samples.
[2] A procedure has been developed to analyze 14 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in indoor dust samples.
[3] A procedure has been developed to analyze 05 new brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in water samples.
[4] A procedure has been developed to analyze 06 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in water samples.
[5] A procedure has been developed to analyze 06 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in upholstered furniture foam samples.
[6] A procedure has been developed to analyze 06 phosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) in fabric samples of upholstered furniture. 
 [7] Data set on types and concentrations of flame retardants in indoor dust in urban Hanoi, Vietnam. 
[8] Data set on types of flame retardants and concentration levels in water in urban areas of Vietnam.
- Other products: Postgraduate training
[1] PhD. Hoang Thi Tue Minh recognized PhD (pending degree), Graduate University of Sciences and Technology (GUST), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
[2] MSc. Nguyen Van Hao received a master's degree, Graduate University of Sciences and Technology (GUST), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
[3] MSc. Ha Thi Hong received a master's degree, Graduate University of Sciences and Technology (GUST), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. 
[4] MSc. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga received a master's degree, Graduate University of Sciences and Technology (GUST), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.
[5] MSc. Nguyen Thi Tam has defended his master's thesis and is waiting to receive her degree, Graduate University of Sciences and Technology (GUST), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. 
[6] MSc. Bui Minh Thuy has defended his master's thesis and is waiting to receive her degree, Graduate University of Sciences and Technology (GUST), Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology.

Images of project
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