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. 2010 Aug 18;6(4):448–458. doi: 10.1007/s13181-010-0105-7

Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardant-Induced Acute Intoxications in Dogs

Andreas F Lehner 1,✉, Francisca Samsing 2, Wilson K Rumbeiha 1
PMCID: PMC3550468  PMID: 20717764

Abstract

Introduction

Flame retardants have wide industrial applications and are incorporated into articles found in automobiles and home environments, including seat cushions. These compounds differ widely chemically and in their toxic potential. We report here two cases involving dogs following ingestion of car seat cushions impregnated with organophosphate ester fire retardants.

Case Reports

Two case reports are presented. Two adult American Pit Bull dogs were presented at an emergency clinic with acute signs of central nervous system excitation including seizures. The most severely affected dog died 15 min after presentation, while the less affected dog fully recovered following treatment. In the second case, both a German Shepherd and a Rottweiler were found dead in the morning after they were left in a car overnight. A comprehensive toxicological analysis of samples from both cases revealed the presence of significant amounts (>2 ppm) of tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate (TCEP) in stomach contents. This compound is a known inducer of epileptic seizures. Some other structurally related organophosphate ester compounds were found, and their role in the acute intoxications reported here is not known and remains to be determined.

Conclusion

This is the first report linking acute deaths in dogs to the ingestion of car seat cushions found to contain large amounts of TCEP, an organophosphate ester compound. It is highly likely that this compound caused death through its known seizure-inducing activity.

Keywords: Organophosphorus flame retardants, Seizures, Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), Tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), Dogs

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (263.6 KB).

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Ray Hostetter, DVM, and Dr. Russel Seifferlein, DVM, for the information and the data provided on case reports no. 1 and 2, respectively.

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