Benzotriazoles (BZTs), benzothiazoles (BTs), benzotriazole ultraviolet (UV)-stabilisers (BUVs) and organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPFRs) are classes of high production volume industrial compounds. BZTs and BTs are mainly utilised as metal corrosion inhibitors in hydraulic and de-icing fluids, vulcanisation accelerators for rubber production and as biocides in textiles. BUVs are added in plastic products to protect them from UV-induced degradation. OPFRs are primarily utilised as flame retardants and as plasticisers. Extensive use of these chemicals has contributed to their ubiquitous presence in the environment and as a result, has raised concerns regarding human exposure and their potential adverse health effects.
Human biomonitoring is the gold standard in assessing exposure to these chemicals as it incorporates all exposure pathways. Currently, there is limited understanding regarding human exposure to these compounds, particularly in Australia. This project aims to develop liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography tandem MS (GC-MS) based analytical methods to measure biomarkers of exposure to these chemicals in human matrices such as urine, serum and breast milk. Age, sex and temporal trends of these biomarkers will be evaluated in the Australian population and will be utilised to understand exposure behaviours and/or sources. In conjunction, a direct analysis in real time (DART) coupled with MS (DART-MS) rapid screening method will be developed to screen for these compounds in commercial products (e.g., textiles, household cleaning products, menstrual products etc.) in a time-efficient and cost-effective way, aiding in tracking potential exposure sources to these compounds.
Research Outputs
Conference Abstracts
Que, D.E., Toms, L.L., Wang, X., Nilsson, S., Zammit, I., Prasad, P., Shiels, R.G., Eaglesham, G., Hobson, P., Langguth, D., Rauert, C., Thomas, K.V., Muir, D.C.G. & Mueller, F. Benzotriazoles and benzothiazoles trends in the general Australian population urine samples from 2012 to 2023, 44th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Singapore, 29 September-4 October 2024.
Que, D.E., den Ouden, F., Bosschaerts, S., Liu, Y., Wang, X., Zammit, I., Nilsson, S., Toms, L.L., Hobson, P., Langguth, D., Covaci, A. & Mueller, J.F. Trends of OPFRs metabolites in age- and gender-stratified pooled urine samples from the last decade (2012-2023) in Australia, 44th International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), Singapore, 29 September-4 October 2024.
