Flame Retardants (Organophosphates) – OPs
Test
Diagnostics and Chemical Markers of Exposure
The Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch develops and performs unique laboratory tests to measure organic environmental chemicals in people. Examples of available laboratory tests are shown in the table above. It lists the most common names for these chemicals, and their Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Numbers. Many of the chemicals, however, go by alternative names. Please visit the National Library of Medicine ChemID database websiteExternal
Laboratory Methods Panels
CDC’s laboratory methods are intended to evaluate population exposures and to support states in situations considered a public health concern. Please see the “Methods’ Access” tab in the tables found after clicking on each of the listed chemicals for additional information regarding these methods. Currently, CDC’s Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch does not have the capability of generating pilot or preliminary results in support of proposals to obtain public or private funds for a larger project.
Chemical | Specimen Type |
---|---|
Bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate CAS No. 72236-72-7 |
urine |
Bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate CAS No. 789440-10-4 |
urine |
Bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate CAS No. 3040-56-0 |
urine |
Dibenzyl phosphate CAS No. 1623-08-1 |
urine |
Dibutyl phosphate CAS No. 107-66-4 |
urine |
Di-m-cresylphosphate CAS No. 36400-46-1 |
urine |
Di-p-cresylphosphate CAS No. 843-24-3 |
urine |
Di-o-cresylphosphate CAS No. 35787-74-7 |
urine |
Diphenyl phosphate CAS No. 838-85-7 |
urine |
Quantification of three chlorinated dialkyl phosphates, diphenyl phosphate, 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoic acid, and four other organophosphates in human urine by solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Jayatilaka NK, Restrepo P, Williams L, Ospina M, Valentin-Blasini L, Calafat AM. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2017 Feb;409(5):1323-1332. doi: 10.1007/s00216-016-0061-4
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs00216-016-0061-4.pdfCdc-pdf
Quantification of tetrabromo benzoic acid and tetrabromo phthalic acid in rats exposed to the flame retardant Uniplex FPR-45
Silva MJ, Hilton D, Furr J, Gray LE, Preau JL, Calafat AM, Ye X. Arch Toxicol. 2016 Mar;90(3):551-7. doi: 10.1007/s00204-015-1489-6.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4583349/pdf/nihms717836.pdfCdc-pdf
Variability and predictors of urinary concentrations of organophosphate flame retardant metabolites among pregnant women in Rhode Island
Romano ME, Hawley NL, Eliot M, Calafat AM, Jayatilaka NK, Kelsey K, McGarvey S, Phipps MG, Savitz DA, Werner EF, Braun JM. Environ Health. 2017 Apr 11;16(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s12940-017-0247-z.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409555/pdf/ijerph-14-00354.pdfCdc-pdf
CDC’s laboratory methods are intended to evaluate population exposures and to support states in situations considered a public health concern. CDC does not provide individual health care or assessment unless as part of a broader public health investigation requested by federal or state agencies, such as a health department. Currently, CDC’s Organic Analytical Toxicology Branch does not have the capability of generating pilot or preliminary results in support of proposals to obtain public or private funds for a larger project.
Detecting levels of an environmental chemical in a person’s blood or urine does not necessarily mean the chemical will cause adverse health effects or disease. Advances in analytical methods enable CDC to measure very low levels of environmental chemicals in people, but research studies of varying levels of exposure are needed to determine if specific levels cause health effects. Consulting a clinician with a toxicological background to assist with the interpretation of results is recommended.
Samples to be tested should be processed through a state health department laboratory, and should conform to the laboratory’s reporting procedures. These laboratory methods often require that the sample be collected by a particular method, or sometimes with particular pre-screened collection devices, to minimize external contamination. Following the correct sample collection protocol is necessary for accurate sample measurement. Please contact the laboratory that will be analyzing the sample to learn the sample collection instructions before collecting the samples.
Contact DLSLab@cdc.gov for more information or questions about these laboratory methods.