Chemical products have had a positive impact on society; however, there have also been unintended consequences on human health and the environment. This question inspired this research to analyze how Penta-polybrominated diphenyl ether affects a community of college students' success and health by identifying possible sources and exposure pathways. This research is focused on analyzing and developing an analytical method to detect whether test subjects are exposed to Penta-brominated diphenyl ether (Penta-BDE) using a personal cell phone and a wearable silicone-ring passive monitor. Penta-BDE flame retardant was selected due to its persistence in everyday materials even though it has been banned since 2004. Penta-BDE causes dangerous health problems such as cancer, and its presence has been growing significantly in the environment and humans. At this point, the silicone ring, which mimics the human skin and the individual cell phone, which is a source for chemicals that has been absorbed by the individual skin, works by helping tract and detect pentaBDE.<br/><br/>Despite covid-19 limitations, some quantitative research has been done in which the silicone rings were exposed to Penta-BDE, extracted with ethyl acetate, and employed qualitative and quantitative examination by Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID). I have determined: (1) the effectiveness of GC-FID for quantitative Penta-BDE analysis, (2) the ability of silicone rings to absorb Penta-BDE, and (3) the reproducible detection at the parts-per-million (ppm) concentration. This research has launched a more prolonged investigation to discover other types of chemical exposure and how we can work together to educate and inform the college community.

Continuing investigations into the unintended consequences of chemical exposure on college students

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.