Household Dust: Loadings and PM10-Bound Plasticizers and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Residential dust is recognized as a major source of environmental contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and plasticizers, such as phthalic acid esters (PAEs). A sampling campaign was carried out to characterize the dust fraction of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 µm (PM10), using an in situ resuspension chamber in three rooms (kitchen, living room, and bedroom) of four Spanish houses. Two samples per room were collected with, at least, a one-week interval. The PM10 samples were analyzed for their carbonaceous content by a thermo-optical technique and, after solvent extraction, for 20 PAHs, 8 PAEs and one non-phthalate plasticizer (DEHA) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In general, higher dust loads were observed for parquet flooring as compared with tile. The highest dust loads were obtained for rugs. Total carbon accounted for 9.3 to 51 wt% of the PM10 mass. Plasticizer mass fractions varied from 5 µg g−1 to 17 mg g−1 PM10, whereas lower contributions were registered for PAHs (0.98 to 116 µg g−1). The plasticizer and PAH daily intakes for children and adults via dust ingestion were estimated to be three to four orders of magnitude higher than those via inhalation and dermal contact. The thoracic fraction of household dust was estimated to contribute to an excess of 7.2 to 14 per million people new cancer cases, which exceeds the acceptable risk of one per million.

Impact of vacuum cleaning on indoor air quality

“…Given that one of the main contributors to indoor particles is probably resuspended dust, some of which associated with soil, these correlations are not surprising. Household PM 10 dust has been reported to contain appreciable amounts of carbonaceous particles, mainly OC, whereas in many samples EC was too low or undetectable [64]. Black carbon, on the other hand, has been associated with motor emissions from vacuum cleaners [18].…”

Fine Particulate Matter and Gaseous Compounds in Kitchens and Outdoor Air of Different Dwellings

“…Additional sources that contribute to the organic carbonaceous component of PM 2.5 in indoor air include paper and clothing fibres, microscopic specks of plastics, contaminants brought on the soles of our shoes, bacteria, skin flakes, cosmetics, cleaning products, etc. [63]. On the other hand, VOCs in indoor air react and form lower volatility reaction products.…”

“…The most abundant compounds were diisobutyl phthalate and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, together with di-n-butyl phthalate in two of the kitchens. The latter two compounds have been listed as major plasticisers in household dust [63]. Health concerns related to phthalate ester exposures have focused primarily on cancer and reproductive effects [66].…”

Urban Atmospheric Aerosols: Sources, Analysis, and Effects

“…A toxicity estimate of PHg, using hazard quotient, suggested no non-carcinogenic risk for adults at the studied sites [12]. On the other hand, the preliminary study of Vicente et al [13] provides a first insight into the occurrence of plasticizers and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM 10 from resuspended dust samples in Spanish households. The authors suggest that exposure to plasticizers and PAHs through the ingestion route poses much higher risks as compared to inhalation and dermal contact, which is of particular concern for infants due to their higher dust intake via hand-to-mouth activities.…”

“…The authors suggest that exposure to plasticizers and PAHs through the ingestion route poses much higher risks as compared to inhalation and dermal contact, which is of particular concern for infants due to their higher dust intake via hand-to-mouth activities. For the sake of easier comparison between different locations/houses, the authors also recommend the development of standard operational procedures for household dust sampling and analysis [13].…”