Ecological risk assessment for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate to freshwater organisms

With the ban on brominated flame retardants (BFRs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were used as substitutes generally as flame retardants, lubricants, plasticizers, and so on. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) is a common OPFR and has been widely detected in different environmental compartments such as the atmosphere, dust, water, sediment, and soil. At elevated levels, TCEP can cause adverse health effects on humans and aquatic life. The present study aimed to use bibliometrics analysis of the important research about TCEP and assess the risk of TCEP to aquatic life through a comprehensive meta-data analysis of available secondary data on its toxic effects and exposure levels. The results showed that toxicity and environmental occurrence and concentration are research hot spots. Meanwhile, given the relatively high detection rates and high concentrations of TCEP in some freshwaters, the ecological risk of TCEP to freshwater organisms should not be ignored. This result of the present study could provide data support and references for the risk assessment and environmental management for such new emerging contaminants.