A Brief Review on Emerging Indoor Chemical Pollutants

Abstract

Recently, there has been increased concern about emerging pollutants (EPs). Many EPs can be found in consumer products and are regarded as primary indoor contaminants. This review paper focuses on the overview of some emerging indoor chemical pollutants, their negative health effects, appropriate sampling methods, drawbacks associated with them, and the analytical techniques used. Some of the challenges identified during this review included the ease of access to affordable sampling equipment and analytical instruments. More sensitive and cost-effective sampling and analytical equipment should be made available to allow for continuous monitoring of these emerging pollutants, especially in low and middle-income countries.

Levels and health risk assessments of Phthalate acid esters in indoor dust of some microenvironments within Ikeja and Ota, Nigeria

“…There is a growing concern about environmental chemical exposure and its adverse effects on human physiology across the globe 1 , 2 . The indoor environment is becoming a major concern because people spend about 90% of their time indoors 3 , 4 .…”

“…The indoor environment is becoming a major concern because people spend about 90% of their time indoors 3 , 4 . This environmental risk factor is critical to the susceptible populace, such as infants and children 1 , 5 – 7 . The outcome of this environmental risk factor is pronounced more during their sensitive periods of growth 8 , 9 .…”

“…Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are a group of chemicals with a basic structure characterized by phthalic acid with alkyl groups’ alcohol through an ester bond. PAEs are one of the major emerging pollutants of critical concern 18 , 19 . They are also endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).…”

“…They are also endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are chemical compounds that interfere with the endocrine system in humans and trigger cancerous cells, birth defects, and developmental disorders 19 , 20 . Although regulatory limits for a few chemical pollutants have been established due to the harm they cause to the human body, endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as PAEs are still widely used in a diversity of consumer and household items 21 .…”

Physico-chemical characterization of indoor settled dust in Children's microenvironments in Ikeja and Ota, Nigeria

“…Additionally, indoor dust is a sink for various inorganic, organic and emerging indoor chemical contaminants [ 8 ]. One of the most common ways children are exposed to these indoor chemical pollutants is via ingestion [ 9 , 10 ]. Dust ingestion is an important entry point for many chemical contaminants in young children due to their frequent hand-to-mouth activities [ 9 , 11 ].…”