Hazardous organic pollutants in indoor dust from elementary schools and kindergartens in Greece: Implications for children's health

Abstract

Children spend a significant portion of their day in school, where they may be exposed to hazardous organic compounds accumulated in indoor dust. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of major hazardous organic contaminants in dust collected from kindergartens and elementary schools in Northern Greece (n = 20). The sum concentrations of 20 targeted polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners (∑20PBDEs) in dust varied from 58 ng g−1 to 1480 ng g−1, while the sum of 4 novel brominated fire retardants (∑4NBFRs) ranged from 28 ng g−1 to 555 ng g−1. Correspondingly, the sum concentrations of phthalate esters (∑9PAEs) ranged between 265 μg g−1 and 2120 μg g−1, while the sum of organophosphate esters (∑11OPEs) was found between 2890 ng g−1 and 16,100 ng g−1. Finally, the sum concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑16PAHs) were found within in the range 212 ng g−1 and 6960 ng g−1. Exposure to indoor dust contaminant via inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption was investigated for children and adults (teachers). Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were also estimated. Children's estimated intakes of individual hazardous chemicals via the three exposure routes, were lower than the available health-based reference values.