EIRENE Implementation Project (IMP) Selected for Horizon Europe Funding: Paving the Way Toward the EIRENE ERIC
The European research community has taken a landmark step toward advancing infrastructure for environmental health and exposome science.
Revealing hidden chemicals at sea
Flame retardant chemicals help prevent fires and save lives. They are widely used in indoor spaces—from homes and offices to airplanes and cars. However, one environment has largely escaped scientific attention: the inside of cruise ships. These floating cities are packed with furniture, electronics, and synthetic materials, yet little is known about the chemicals passengers and crew may be exposed to during long voyages.
In the largest study of its kind, researchers from RECETOX and the Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA) examined indoor dust from three expedition cruise ships in the North Atlantic Ocean. The ships differed in age and renovation history. Dust samples were collected from a range of locations on each vessel, including cabins, common areas, and workspaces. Scientists analyzed dozens of flame retardants, including older chemicals that are now restricted in many countries and newer replacements that are still widely used.
The results revealed that flame retardants were present everywhere - but not evenly distributed. Some areas contained levels up to ten times higher than others, particularly spaces filled with electronics or soft furnishings. The most abundant chemicals were organophosphate flame retardants, especially one called TCIPP, which reached extremely high concentrations in some samples.
“Older ships had overall higher levels of flame retardants than the newer vessels, which likely reflects the types of materials used in the past and earlier fire‑safety standards. Using exposure models, we also estimated how much of these chemicals people on board may be ingesting or absorbing each day. The estimates suggest that crew members, who spend many months living and working on the ships, may experience higher exposure during routine activities - for example through contact with surfaces or the unintentional ingestion of dust,” says the study’s lead author, Veronica van der Schyff.
While strict fire-safety standards are mandatory for ships, there are currently no rules limiting which flame retardant chemicals can be used or how much is allowed. This study highlights an important gap in maritime safety regulations and raises questions about long-term chemical exposure in enclosed ship environments.
As cruise tourism, and the maritime industry, continues to grow, the findings underscore the need for closer monitoring and smarter regulation; ensuring that protecting ships from fire does not come at the cost of crew and passenger health.
DOI: 10.1039/D5VA00257E
