Higher levels of previously unsuspected pollutant found in homes, environment

Environmental Science & Technology
Published October 30, 2018  01:00 EDT (News release from Indiana University)
Scientists found high levels of a previously unsuspected pollutant in homes and in an electronic waste recycling facility in Ontario, and in southwestern Lake Michigan. The chemical, tri(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphate or TDTBPP, is an organophosphate known to be toxic. People are likely exposed to this pollutant by breathing contaminated dust or through skin contact. Levels were particularly high in house dust.

Canadian coauthors: Linh Nguyen, University of Toronto Scarborough – vietlinh.nguyen@mail.utoronto.ca; Victoria Arrandale, Cancer Care Ontario – victoria.arrandale@cancercare.on.ca; Miriam Diamond, University of Toronto Scarborough – miriam.diamond@utoronto.ca