Trends in flame retardant levels in upholstered furniture and children's consumer products after regulatory action in California.

In 2013, California revised its upholstered furniture flammability standard TB 117-2013 to improve fire safety without the need for flame retardant (FR) chemicals. Subsequent legislation (SB 1019) required disclosure of FR content. In 2020 California expanded restriction on FR chemicals to include juvenile products and upholstered furniture (AB 2998). To monitor trends in FR use, and assess the effectiveness of the new regulations, we analyzed 346 samples from upholstered furniture (n = 270) and children's consumer products (n = 76), collected pre- and post-regulatory intervention for added FR chemicals (i.e., ∑FR > 1000 mg/kg). Upholstered furniture samples, collected from products before enactment of the new regulations, had a median FR concentration of 41,600 mg/kg (range: 1360-92,900 mg/kg), with 100% of the foam samples and 13.7% of the textile samples containing ∑FR > 1000 mg/kg. Firemaster formulations (FM 550 and FM 600), a mixture of triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EH-TBB), bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (BEH-TEBP) and a mixture of isopropyl- or tert-butyl-triphenyl phosphates (ITPs or TBPPs), were the most frequently detected FR (34%), followed by tris(1,3-dichloroisopropyl) phosphate (TDCIPP; 25%), TPHP with a mixture of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-47, 99, 100, 153 and 154; 20%) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP; 11%). Upholstered furniture components collected after enactment of the new legislation had a median FR concentration of 2600 mg/kg (range: 1160-49,800 mg/kg, outlier sample 282,200 mg/kg), with 11.9% of the foam samples and no textile samples containing ∑FR > 1000 mg/kg. Of these samples, tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was the most frequently detected FR (55%), followed by TDCIPP (30%) and Firemaster (FM 550, 15%). No PBDEs were detected in the post-regulatory intervention products. Our initial work on children's products showed 15% of the samples contained ∑FR > 1000 mg/kg. In our post- AB 2998 work, no regulated children's product components failed compliance (i.e., ∑FR > 1000 mg/kg). The data confirm successful adoption of the new regulations with most samples in compliance, demonstrating the efficacy of regulatory intervention. Given these results, environmental FR exposure is expected to decrease as older FR treated consumer products are replaced with FR free products.

A logical coronal pattern classification of 2,000 consecutive idiopathic scoliosis cases based on the scoliosis research society-defined apical vertebra.

STUDY DESIGN: Two thousand consecutive idiopathic scoliosis records and radiographs were reviewed for coronal pattern typing and categorization, based on Scoliosis Research Society definitions of the apical vertebra. Apical frequency was determined for each of the patterns identified, and represents a database from a large series of cases for the already accepted Scoliosis Research Society definitions. OBJECTIVES: To identify and numerically pattern-type a large series of idiopathic coronal curves, for the basic purpose of written and oral communication. Some pattern types were not described previously. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although spinal deformity must be considered three dimensional for treatment in 1998, no comprehensive, databased, and user friendly coronal or sagittal classification of idiopathic scoliosis has been reported. METHODS: Two thousand idiopathic curve patterns from charts and radiographs were reviewed and the coronal patterns categorized by the apical vertebra. The resulting classification was tested for inter- and intraobserver reliability by 12 spine surgeons and 6 orthopedic residents. Apical frequencies were determined for each pattern type. RESULTS: Twenty-one pattern categories were identified, and all were right or left mirror image patterns (except for a quadruple pattern) that permitted separation into 11 types. Incorporating the widely recognized five numbered King types mad pattern recognition simple. Interobserver reliability testing was 98.2%. The left single thoracic curve pattern was included in this classification because only 9 (20.4%) of 44 patients with left thoracic curves had intraspinal pathology. CONCLUSION: Two thousand consecutive idiopathic coronal curve patterns separated into eleven readily identifiable types, and incorporating the widely referenced five King types, makes recognition simple for purposes of identification and communication. Sagittal and 3D factors excluded from this classification are equally important in the process of treatment decisions. Apical frequency data determined in this study lends credence to Scoliosis Research Society definitions for idiopathic curve patterns.

Balloon-borne spectroscopic observation of the infrared hydroxyl airglow.

A balloon-borne grating spectrometer has been used to study the spectrum of the airglow between 1.8 microm and 3.6 microm and its diurnal variation. The principal features identified are the bands of the Deltaupsilon = 2 and Deltaupsilon = 1 sequences of the vibration-rotation spectrum of OH. The brightness of the 1-0 band at night was measured to be in the range 270-400 kR on two flights. A sudden decrease in the intensity of the hydroxyl bands occurred in morning twilight at a solar depression of 4 degrees and is ascribed to the photodissociation of ozone. The temperature, as indicated by the Q/R branch ratio, rose from 170 K at night to 255 K at noon indicating a reduction in the height of the emitting layer during the day.