Semivolatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air and Settled Dust in 30 French Dwellings

Abstract

Semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are ubiquitous contaminants in indoor environments, emanating from different sources and partitioning among several compartments, including the gas phase, airborne particles, and settled dust. Nevertheless, simultaneous measurements in the three compartments are rarely reported. In this study, we investigated indoor concentrations of a wide range of SVOCs in 30 French dwellings. In settled dust, 40 out of 57 target compounds were detected. The highest median concentrations were measured for phthalates and to a lesser extent for bisphenol A, synthetic musks, some pesticides, and PAHs. Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP) were the most abundant compounds. A total of 34 target compounds were detected both in the gas phase and airborne particles. The highest concentrations were measured for diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and synthetic musks in the gas phase and for DEHP, DiBP, DBP, and DINP in the airborne particles. This is the first study on the indoor concentrations of a wide range of SVOCs in settled dust, gas phase, and airborne particles collected simultaneously in each dwelling.

Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds of respiratory health relevance in French dwellings

“…This result is consistent with other studies reviewed by Blanchard et al. (), showing that the other measured molecules (DEHP, DINP, and BBP) are usually more present in settled dust than in ambient air. The results are partly in accordance with those found in Germany by Koch et al.…”

“…The detailed sampling and analytical method already has been described by Blanchard et al. (). Filters and foams were extracted together by pressure liquid extraction (PLE) with dichloromethane and analyzed by GC coupled to tandem MS as described by Mercier et al.…”

“…Phthalates and synthetic musks are semi‐volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) widely used in many consumer products as plasticizers and fragrances. They are common additives in paints, adhesives, cleaning agents or personal care products (Dodson et al., ), and are frequently found in air and dust samples from dwellings (Blanchard et al., ). Phthalates exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact (Bekö et al., ).…”

Structure-Dependent Activity of Phthalate Esters and Phthalate Monoesters Binding to Human Constitutive Androstane Receptor

“…2 Phthalate esters are frequently detected in water, sediment, air, and dust, 3,4 and humans are exposed to phthalate esters through multiple routes and media. 5 Many studies have reported that phthalate esters and their metabolites are ubiquitous in human body fluids and matrices, including human urine, serum, seminal fluid, breast milk, amniotic fluid, and placenta.…”

Modeling and analysis of sampling artifacts in measurements of gas-particle partitioning of semivolatile organic contaminants using filter-sorbent samplers

“…A number of field campaigns have been conducted to measure air concentrations of SVOCs in indoor (Blanchard et al, 2014;Kolarik et al, 2008;Trabue et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2014 andXu et al, 2014) and outdoor environments (Albinet et al, 2007;Chao et al, 2003;He and Balasubramanian, 2010;MacLeod et al, 2007 andXie et al, 2014b). The fate and transport of SVOCs, as well as human exposures to them, can be influenced significantly by gas/particle partitioning.…”