Children’s exposures to boron and biocides from slime products in Asian regions
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
15590631
eISSN
1559064X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85103929263
Pubmed ID
33790387
Journal Title
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology
Volume
32
Issue
1
Start Page
103
End Page
111
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology Vol.32 No.1 (2022) , 103-111
Suggested Citation
Lim M., Guak S., Cheong N.Y., Song Y.C., Ho K.F., Nakai S., Lung S.C.C., Tantrakarnapa K., Lee K. Children’s exposures to boron and biocides from slime products in Asian regions. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology Vol.32 No.1 (2022) , 103-111. 111. doi:10.1038/s41370-021-00321-9 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86773
Title
Children’s exposures to boron and biocides from slime products in Asian regions
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Chemical exposure from slime toys can cause potential health effects. Although slime toys are popular in Asia, the regulation of boron, chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT), and methylisothiazolinone (MIT) in these toys has been implemented only in Korea. Objective: In this study, we investigated boron migration levels and CMIT and MIT concentrations in 127 slime products from Asian cities and estimated children’s exposure to boron and the biocides in Korea. Methods: Slime boron migration levels were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), according to Part 3 of the European Standard on the safety of toys (EN 71-3:2013). CMIT and MIT concentrations were analyzed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Exposure doses of boron, CMIT, and MIT were calculated using the exposure pattern of children slime users in Korea. Results: Average boron migration levels of the slime products in Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Yokohama were 691.9, 851.1, 806.6, 509.0, and 956.2 mg/kg, respectively. Of the 127 slime products tested, 70.1% exceeded the EU boron migration limit of 300 mg/kg for toys made with sticky material. Boron migration levels in slime products in Korea did not differ significantly by manufacturing date, although the Korean boron regulations were enacted in January 2019. CMIT and MIT were detected from 51.2% and 36.2% of all products, respectively, and tended to be detected simultaneously. Exposure doses of boron, CMIT, and MIT were highest among infants. Significance: Oral exposure was the most important for boron exposure. It is necessary to manage boron level in slime products and minimize exposure from hand to mouth action in infants.