A semi-quantitative approach for analysing low-volatile organic compounds in house dust using an SFE method: Significant common features and particular differences of the extracts

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A number of samples have been collected from various indoor environments located in a semi-rural area in north-western Italy, for extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) and analysis of low volatility organic compounds on house dust. The investigation was based on a survey analysis approach aiming at the identification of the organic content of indoor dust. The quantification of the content of the compounds was obtained with a semi-quantitative method, incorporating three pre-defined concentration ranges. The classes of compounds, mostly detected in the indoor dust samples analyzed, were fatty acids and some of their esters, n-alkanes, phthalates and alcohols. Other less frequently found classes were other esters, phenols, aliphatic aldehydes and ketons. The compounds that were identified in all or in most of the house dust samples appeared predominantly in high concentration ranges while compounds detected scarcely were measured mainly in low concentrations. The experimental study verified that the most important emission sources for the organic compounds detected in the indoor environment were a wide variety of plastic materials and human activities (e.g., cooking). Particular features of some extracts were attributed to specific actions that took place in the house prior or during sampling, and/or to the materials used in the house construction or heating methods. Among the compounds identified as prominent in the house dust samples were the phthalates, of major interest with regard to their impact on human health.