Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in household dust: The association between PAHs, Cancer Risk and Sick Building Syndrome

Abstract

In this study, indoor dust samples were collected from 40 houses in Shiraz; Iran, and analyzed to determine 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The study participants completed the questionnaires consisting of a series of questions for collecting information about symptoms of sick building syndrome and parameters affecting PAHs concentrations (including traffic congestion in the area, floor level, house renovation, building age, etc.). The total PAHs concentrations in the settled dust samples ranged from 31 to 453 ngg−1 so that, phenanthrene, naphthalene and fluoranthene were the predominant congeners. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated the predominance of vehicular (especially diesel vehicle emissions) and cooking emissions, as the two major sources of PAHs, in indoor dust. The results of statistical analysis showed a significant association between the total PAHs concentrations and SBS symptoms (headache, skin dryness, itching, and inflammation). In addition, based on health risk assessment, the mean ILCR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) value was reported to be 3.85 × 10−5 for adults and 4.36 × 10−5 for children, indicating potential cancer risk as a result of exposure to household dust containing PAHs. The findings of this study can provide useful information to improve the quality of the indoor environment of houses.