Survey of Chemical Substances in Consumer Products, No. 63 2005 – Mapping and release of chemical substances from products made of chloroprene

Mapping and release of chemical substances from products made of chloroprene

Preface

The project "Mapping and releasing of substances from products made of chloroprene" was carried out for the National Agency of Environmental Protection in the period from 22nd May to 8th December 2003. This report describes the results of the study.

The project was carried out by the Danish Technological Institute, Materials division. Lic. scient. Nils H. Nilsson of the Danish Technological Institute was manager of this project and the liaison between the institute and the National Agency of Environmental Protection.

Laboratory analyses and migration investigations were carried out in co-operation with laboratory managers Ivan Christensen and Paul Lyck Hansen, Chemistry- and Water Technology, and MSc Kenneth Brian Haugshøj, Microtechnology and Surfaceanalysis.

Bjørn Malmgren-Hansen, lich. tech., MSc (engineering), Ole Christian Hansen, MSc, and Kirsten Pommer, BSc, were attached to the project as experts to screen and evaluate health impact (consumer exposure) and risks.

An experienced sport diver took part in a full-scale migration test by diving under conditions very similar to "real-life" conditions.

In addition to being the Technological Institute's expert in rubber materials and technology, the project manager was also responsible for the consumer research, the purchase of chloroprene products, interviews and information searching.

The reference group consisted of Shima Dobel (chairman), the National Agency of Environmental Protection, and Nils H. Nilsson, the Danish Technological Institute.

The purpose of the project was to focus on the problematic substances that appear in different consumer products of chloroprene, such as boots, waders, dive suits and supports available in retail stores in Denmark. The project comprised three phases. Firstly, mapping of consumption and consumption patterns regarding products made of chloroprene. Secondly, a screening phase for problematic substances as well as migration/exposure tests under conditions determined by "worst case" scenarios. Finally, health screening based on the results from the migration tests completed the project.