Settled House Dust Research Articles

A characterization and an exposure risk assessment of microplastics in settled house floor dust in Istanbul, Turkey.

The presence of microplastics in the indoor environment presents growing environmental and human health risks because of their physicochemical and toxic characteristics. Therefore, we aimed to isolate, identify, and characterize plastic debris in settled house floor dusts. This study is a rare study which assess the risks of plastic debris in settled house dust through multiple approaches including the estimated daily intake, pollution loading index, and polymer hazard index. The results indicated that polyethylene and polypropylene were the predominate polymer type of plastic debris in settled house dust with various shapes and colors. The risk assessment results also indicated the serious impact of microplastics in terms of extremely dangerous contamination as well as the fact that they present a polymer hazard. Results indicated that humans have a higher risk of exposure to microplastics via ingestion rather than inhalation. In addition, infants had a higher risk of potential intake compared to other age groups.

Using Artificial Intelligence to Identify Sources and Pathways of Lead Exposure in Children.

Sources and pathways of lead exposure in young children have not been analyzed using new artificial intelligence methods. To collect environmental, behavioral, and other data on sources and pathways in 17 rural homes to predict at-risk households and to compare urban and rural indicators of exposure. Cross-sectional pilot study. Knox County, Illinois, which has a high rate of childhood lead poisoning. Rural families. Neural network and K-means statistical analysis. Children's blood lead level. Lead paint on doors, lead dust, residential property assessed tax, and median interior paint lead level were the most important predictors of children's blood lead level. K-means analysis confirmed that settled house dust lead loadings, age of housing, concentration of lead in door paint, and geometric mean of interior lead paint samples were the most important predictors of lead in children's blood. However, assessed property tax also emerged as a new predictor. A sampling strategy that examines these variables can provide lead poisoning prevention professionals with an efficient and cost-effective means of identifying priority homes for lead remediation. The ability to preemptively target remediation efforts can help health, housing, and other agencies to remove lead hazards before children develop irreversible health effects and incur costs associated with lead in their blood.

DNA metabarcoding-based study on bacteria and fungi associated with house dust mites (Dermatophagoidesspp.) in settled house dust.

House dust mites (HDMs) including Dermatophagoides spp. are an important cause of respiratory allergies. However, their relationship with microorganisms in house dust has not been fully elucidated. Here, we characterized bacteria and fungi associated with HDMs in house dust samples collected in 107 homes in Korea by using DNA barcode sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene, fungal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region, and arthropod cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. Our inter-kingdom co-occurrence network analysis and/or indicator species analysis identified that HDMs were positively related with a xerophilic fungus Wallemia, mycoparasitic fungi such as Cystobasidium, and some human skin-related bacterial and fungal genera, and they were negatively related with the hygrophilous fungus Cephalotrichum. Overall, our study has succeeded in adding novel insights into HDM-related bacteria and fungi in the house dust ecosystem, and in confirming the historically recognized fact that HDMs are associated with xerophilic fungi such as Wallemia. Understanding the microbial ecology in house dust is thought to be important for elucidating the etiology of human diseases including allergies, and our study revealed baseline information of house dust ecology in relation to HDMs. The findings could be useful from a perspective of human health.

Simultaneous assessment of chemical and biological contaminants in settled house dust

BACKGROUND AND AIM Settled house dust (SHD) is a reservoir for various contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), trace metals, and house dust mite allergens. This study aimed to characterize various chemical and biological contaminants in SHD and identify determinants of the indoor contaminants. METHODS In total, 106 SHD samples were collected from 106 houses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Korea in 2021. Thirty of the 106 houses were recruited for collecting bedding dust samples. All participants completed a questionnaire comprised of housing and lifestyle-related factors. Samples were analyzed for 18 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), 16 phthalates, five alternative plasticizers (APs), seven trace metals, and two house dust mite allergens (Dermatophagoides farinae type 1 [Der f1] and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus type 1 [Der p1]). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants governing the concentrations and profiles of various contaminants. RESULTS OPFRs, phthalates, APs, and trace metals were detected in all SHD samples, indicating ubiquitous contamination in indoor environments. Among the three EDC groups, APs were detected most frequently with the highest concentrations, followed by phthalates and OPFRs. Der f1 was detected in all bedding dust samples with significantly higher levels than Der p1. The concentrations of OPFRs, plasticizers, and trace metals in SHD were significantly associated with the type and number of electronic appliances and combustion activities. Der f1 was significantly associated with the number of occupants and water penetration. Ventilation, vacuum cleaning, and wet cleaning or dry mopping significantly reduced the levels of most contaminants in SHD. CONCLUSIONS As residents are persistently exposed to a wide array of pollutants, comprehensive and adequate measures are required to prevent potential exposures. KEYWORDS Settled house dust; OPFR; Plasticizer; Alternative plasticizer; House dust mite allergens

Simultaneous assessment of organophosphate flame retardants, plasticizers, trace metals, and house dust mite allergens in settled house dust.

Settled house dust (SHD) is a reservoir for various contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), trace metals, and house dust mite allergens. This study aimed to characterize various chemical and biological contaminants in SHD and identify determinants governing the indoor contaminants. In total, 106 SHD samples were collected from 106 houses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, Korea, in 2021. Bedding dust samples were collected from 30 of these 106 houses. All participants completed a questionnaire comprised of housing and lifestyle-related factors. The samples were analyzed for 18 organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), 16 phthalates, five alternative plasticizers (APs), seven trace metals, and two house dust mite allergens (Dermatophagoides farinae type 1 [Der f1] and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus type 1 [Der p1]). A multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants governing the concentrations and profiles of various contaminants. OPFRs, phthalates, APs, and trace metals were detected in all SHD samples, indicating ubiquitous contamination in indoor environments. Among the three EDC groups, APs were detected at the highest concentrations (geometric mean [GM] (geometric standard deviation, [GSD]): 1452 (1.6) μg/g in total), followed by phthalates (GM (GSD): 676 (1.4) μg/g in total) and OPFRs (GM (GSD): 10 (1.4) μg/g in total). Der f1 was detected in all bedding dust samples with significantly higher levels than Der p1 (GM (GSD): 0.1 (1.8) μg/g vs. 1.4 × 10-3 (2.3) μg/g). The concentrations of OPFRs, plasticizers, and trace metals in SHD were significantly associated with the type and number of electronic appliances and combustion activities. Der f1 was significantly associated with the number of occupants and water penetration. Ventilation, vacuum cleaning, and wet cleaning or dry mopping significantly reduced the levels of most contaminants in SHD. As residents are persistently exposed to a wide array of pollutants, comprehensive and adequate measures are required to prevent potential exposures.

Tobacco-specific and combustion pollutants in settled house dust in Malta.

Aim:Most of the carcinogenic pollutants coming from tobacco smoking or other combustion processes tend to accumulate in settled house dust (SHD) over time. This study evaluated the load of these pollutants in smokers and non-smokers’ houses from relatively fresh SHD collected in five different districts on the island of Malta.Methods:An improved, efficient extraction method to obtain three fractions from a 200 mg of SHD was developed. It was validated for the analysis of nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by GC-MS/MS and nicotelline and TSNA by LC-MS/MS. Kruskal-Wallis H tests were used to evaluate differences across districts, while a Mann-Whitney U test was used to check differences between smokers and non-smokers’ houses. Diagnostic ratios were used to evaluate the carcinogenicity of PAH in SHD in Malta.Results:For all analytes, no statistical difference was observed across different districts, but, in smokers’ houses, 97.9% of the total concentration of all target analytes found in SHD is nicotine, 0.1% is TSNA, and 2.0% is PAH. In non-smokers’ houses, nicotine represents 16.8% of the load, while 0.4% and 82.8% are TSNA and PAH, respectively. The carcinogenicity of the PAH mixture in Maltese SHD, expressed as the mean benzo(a)pyrene equivalent (BaPeq) is 371 ng/g.Conclusion:Indoor activities, ventilation practices, and infiltration of outdoor pollutants contribute to a complex SHD composition. Although the BaPeq is on the lower end of carcinogenicity, the effects of a mixture including tobacco-related potent carcinogens in SHD are largely unknown. In view of indoor, continuous exposure to SHD through several pathways, further research is warranted.

An unequal endotoxin distribution in typical house types of Ho Chi Minh city.

Endotoxin exposure may cause asthma exacerbations and contribute to non-atopic respiratory diseases. Viet Nam, a country with multiple house types, is lacking data on indoor contamination by endotoxin in regard with house types. The comparison of measured settled dust endotoxin levels among house types in Ho Chi Minh city will allow to classify the house types regarding health risks. This study is a cross-sectional study. Five identified house types were selected: apartment (APA), rental (REN), rural (RUR), slum (SLU) and tube house (TUB). One hundred house's endotoxin contamination was evaluated by questionnaire and dust sampling. Endotoxin concentration was measured by kinetic chromogenic Limulus assay. dotoxin concentration (geometric mean 126.0 EU/mg, 95%CI 118.3-133.7) is particularly high in settled house dust compared to western countries and is significantly associated with the house type. The highest level was found in RUR in each room (p = 0.002 for living room; p < 0.0001 for bedrooms and for kitchens). Concerning levels in the different rooms, APA and TUB form a low group while REN and SLU (p < 0.001) form a median group and RUR the highest (p < 0.001). Differences in endotoxin levels were associated to the presence of dog, chicken and farm animals, wood cooking, air-conditioning usage. Further understanding of the relevant factors to endotoxin levels would contribute to prevent asthma exacerbations and chronic respiratory diseases. Public health interventions to reduce exposure to endotoxin include improving housing conditions, eliminating risk factors and a priority to high-risk house types.

Characterization of Chemical and Bacterial Concentrations in Floor Dust Samples in Southeast Texas Households.

Indoor dust can be a major source of heavy metals, nutrients, and bacterial contamination in residential environments and may cause serious health problems. The goal of this research is to characterize chemical and bacterial contaminants of indoor, settled house dust in the Houston Metropolitan region. To achieve this, a total of 31 indoor dust samples were collected, along with household survey data, which were subsequently analyzed for elemental and bacterial concentrations. Microscopic and geospatial analysis was conducted to characterize and map potential hotspots of contamination. Interestingly Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations of all 31 indoor dust samples were significantly enriched and exceeded soil background concentrations. Furthermore, As, Cd, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the dust samples were significantly correlated to the enteric bacterial load concentrations. Human health assessment revealed that cancer risk values via ingestion for Cd, Cr, and Ni were greater than the acceptable range. Of our 31 dust sample isolates, three Gram-negative and 16 Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria were identified, capable of causing a wide range of diseases. Our results demonstrate that both chemical and bacterial characterization of indoor dust coupled with spatial mapping is essential to assess and monitor human and ecological health risks.

Associations between phthalic acid esters in household dust and childhood asthma in Shanghai, China

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have a negative impact on human health and are widely distributed in China. As part of the China, Children, Home, Health (CCHH) study, we investigated the associations between childhood asthmatic symptoms and PAEs in settled house dust in Shanghai, China.We found that di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were abundant in the indoor environment. A total of 27 % of children suffered from diagnosed asthma. The Mann-Whitney U test and multiple logistic regression were used to obtain the associations between PAEs and childhood asthmatic symptoms. Stratification analysis was performed to reveal the influence of gender on the associations between PAE exposure and target symptoms. Compared with low concentrations of PAEs, high concentrations of high molecular weight PAEs (HMW-PAEs) were significantly associated with childhood diagnosed asthma (adjusted odds ratios (AORs) > 1, P < 0.05). Moreover, significantly negative associations were found between high concentrations of DiBP and current cough (AORs<1, P < 0.05). All significantly positive associations were observed among girls, and most of the associations of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) exposure with the studied symptoms among girls were higher than those among boys. Exposure to PAEs may be a risk factor for asthmatic symptoms in children, especially in girls.

Altered microbiomes in thirdhand smoke-exposed children and their home environments.

Introduction.Tobacco smoke contains numerous toxic chemicals that accumulate in indoor environments creating thirdhand smoke (THS). We investigated if THS-polluted homes differed in children’s human and built environment microbiomes as compared to THS-free homes.Methods.Participants were N=19 THS exposed children and N=10 unexposed children (≤ 5 years) and their parents. Environmental and biological samples were analyzed for THS pollutants and exposure. Swab samples were collected from the built environment (floor, table, armrest, bedframe) and child (finger, nose, mouth, and ear canal) and 16S ribosomal RNA genes were analyzed for bacterial taxa using high-throughput DNA sequencing.Results.Phylogenetic α-diversity was significantly higher for the built environmental microbiomes in THS-polluted homes compared to THS-free homes (p<0.014). Log2 fold comparison found differences between THS-polluted and THS-free homes for specific genera at built environment (e.g., Acinetobacter, Bradyrhizobium, Corynebacterium, Gemella, Neisseria, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Veillonella) and in samples from children s (esp. Corynebacterium, Gemella, Lautropia, Neisseria, Rothia, Staphylococcus, and Veillonella).Conclusion.When exposed to THS, indoor and children microbiomes are altered in an environment-specific manner. Changes are similar to those reported in previous studies for smokers and secondhand smoke-exposed persons. THS-induced changes in child and environmental microbiome may play a role in clinical outcomes in children.

Sorption of PCB from air to settled house dust in a contaminated indoor environment

Investigation of human exposure pathways to PCB in a high-rise estate in Denmark motivated an experiment with sorption of PCB from air to settled house dust. Three sieved house dust samples (<75 μm) of different origin were exposed to elevated air concentrations of PCB in a vacated apartment from seven to 40 days. Within the 40 days, most of the dust samples were close to equilibrium for the congeners PCB-8 to −101 and dust-air partition coefficients were determined. The dust samples of different origin showed comparable partitioning, though small differences were seen. The determined partition coefficients were in agreement with values found in literature. Further, the partition coefficients were compared to three sets of predicted estimates based on absorption of PCB into the organic matter of the dust and octanol-air partition coefficients derived from different sources. Comparing measured and predicted values (log-log), two sets of predicted values showed strong correlation, though overestimated 20–40%, while one set showed similar absolute levels, but with a few deviating congeners. Dust-air ratios were calculated for samples taken from a field investigation in homes with elevated air concentrations of PCB in the high-rises. The partitioning in the field samples were in agreement with the results from the exposure experiment and indicate near steady state conditions for the congeners in the dust from the homes. Dust exposed directly on the floorboards showed lower concentrations than samples placed on foil, indicating an ongoing sorption to the varnish being a tertiary source contaminated by the air.

Tobacco smoke is a likely source of lead and cadmium in settled house dust

IntroductionEnvironmental exposure to lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are risk factors for adverse health outcomes in children and adults. This study examined whether thirdhand smoke residue contributes to Pb and Cd in settled house dust. MethodsParticipants were 60 multiunit housing residents in San Diego, California. All had indoor smoking bans during the study period, and 55 were nonsmokers. Wipe samples from different surfaces and vacuum floor dust samples were analyzed for nicotine, a marker of thirdhand smoke, and for Pb and Cd using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, respectively. ResultsExamined in each sample type separately, Pb and Cd loadings were significantly correlated (r = 0.73, vacuum floor dust; 0.52, floor wipes; 0.72, window sill/trough wipes; all p < 0.0025). Pb and Cd loadings from different sample types were not correlated (all p > 0.30). Nicotine loading in dust was significantly correlated with Pb and Cd loading in dust (r = 0.49 for Pb; r = 0.39 for Cd, all p < 0.0025). Pb and Cd loadings on floor or window surfaces, showed no association with nicotine loading in dust, on floors, or on furniture (all p < 0.30). ConclusionsTobacco smoke is a likely source of Pb and Cd that accumulates in settled house dust in multiunit housing, suggesting that Pb and Cd are constituents of thirdhand smoke that lingers long after smoking has ended.

Analysis and Evaluation of Contamination Status of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Settled House and Road Dust Samples from Hanoi

Analysis and Evaluation of Contamination Status of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Settled House and Road Dust Samples from Hanoi

Establishment of a HPLC fingerprint method and its application in evaluating the overall change of organic matter in a complex environment: taking the settled house dust as an example

Organic contamination has been recognized as a matter of concern, and simultaneous monitoring of various organic contaminants in the complex environment has always been a part of the efforts of scientists. In the present study, settled house dust (SHD) was selected to establish HPLC fingerprint method for simultaneously evaluating organic matters in an indoor environment. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the relative retention time (RRT) and relative peak area (RPA) for precision were 2.46% and 0.47%, respectively, while the RSDs of RRT and RPA for repeatability were 2.51% and 0.50%, respectively, and for stability within 24 h were 2.51% and 0.49%, respectively, which indicated good reliability of the method. Then, the method was used to evaluate the trend of indoor organic matters of Yunyan district (urban) and Gangou village (rural) from 2012 to 2014. The results showed the overall organic matters of Yunyan did not change significantly within 2 years, while the organic matters of Gangou village were a little aggravated by the appearance of some suspicious matters. Our study suggests a method with the capability of simultaneously evaluating various organic matters and a possibility for detecting those that are not currently on the list of priority organic contaminants.

Accumulation of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate from polyvinyl chloride flooring into settled house dust and the effect on the bacterial community.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer used in consumer products and building materials, including polyvinyl chloride flooring material. DEHP adsorbs from material and leaches into soil, water, or dust and presents an exposure risk to building occupants by inhalation, ingestion, or absorption. A number of bacterial isolates are demonstrated to degrade DEHP in culture, but bacteria may be susceptible to it as well, thus this study examined the relation of DEHP to bacterial communities in dust. Polyvinyl chloride flooring was seeded with homogenized house dust and incubated for up to 14 days, and bacterial communities in dust were identified at days 1, 7, and 14 using the V3–V4 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. DEHP concentration in dust increased over time, as expected, and bacterial richness and Shannon diversity were negatively correlated with DEHP concentration. Some sequence variants of Bacillus, Corynebacterium jeddahense, Streptococcus, and Peptoniphilus were relatively more abundant at low concentrations of DEHP, while some Sphingomonas, Chryseobacterium, and a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family were relatively more abundant at higher concentrations. The built environment is known to host lower microbial diversity and biomass than natural environments, and DEHP or other chemicals indoors may contribute to this paucity.

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) emission to indoor air and transfer to house dust from a PVC sheet

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) emission to air and transfer to house dust from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet were quantified for periods of 1, 3, 7, and 14 days using a passive flux sampler (PFS). Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) test powders class 15 was used as the test house dust in settled weights of 0.3, 1, 3, and 12 mg/cm2. DEHP concentrations in the surface air on the PVC sheet were estimated as 2.6–3.3 μg/m3 according to an emission test without dust. Although DEHP transfer rates from the PVC sheet to the house dust decreased over time, the adsorption did not reach an equilibrium state within 14 days. The transfer rates per dust weight increased with decreasing dust weight on the PVC sheet. The transfer rates per PVC sheet area increased nonlinearly with increasing dust weight on the PVC sheet. DEHP emission from a PVC sheet to air was one to three orders of magnitude lower than DEHP transfer from a PVC sheet to dust. In the case of 0.3 mg/cm2 of settled house dust for 7 days, the emission rates to air were 35, 15, 9.1, 6.4, and 3.8 μg/m2/h for a diffusion distance of 0.90, 1.85, 2.75, 3.80, and 5.75 mm, respectively, and the transfer rate to dust was 5.3 × 102 μg/m2/h (no difference among the five diffusion distances). Compared to residents who clean the floor every day, exposure to DEHP in house dust could be 10 times higher for residents who clean the floor once every two weeks based on the time-weighted average concentrations in house dust.

Determination of PAHs content in hair samples of smokers and non-smokers using gas chromatography in hyphenation with mass spectrometry

Abstract: PAHs are known as toxic, persistent organic pollutants produced by incomplete combustion of organic materials including smoking. To assess the exposure of PAHs through smoking habits, 16 PAHs in hair samples of 32 smokers and 20 non-smokers were analyzed using gas chromatography in hyphenation with mass spectrometry. The results showed that total content of PAHs in hair samples of smokers ranged from 46.8 ng/g to 1,257 ng/g (mean: 388.3 ng/g) and that of non-smokers ranged from 65.3 ng/g to 910.8 ng/g (mean: 266.1 ng/g). Application of the Student statistical method indicated that the dataset of PAHs in hair samples between two subject groups were significantly different. Phenanthrene, pyrene, fluoranthene were the most dominant PAHs in hair samples of both smokers and non-smokers. The mean content of total toxicity equivalent of 16 PAHs compared to benzo (a) pyrene in hair samples of smokers and non-smokers were 13.32 ng/g and 11.29 ng/g, respectively. Some considerable values of PAHs including PAH4, PAH8 and BaPeq were higher than other similar studies in the world except one study in Japan. The analysis of PAHs in a new biomarker such as hair samples is a potential research trend to assess the exposure of PAHs in the human body.&#x0D; Keywords: PAHs, hair sample, smoker, non-smoker.&#x0D; References&#x0D; [1] World Health Ozganization, 1998. Selected Non-Heterocyclic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocacbons, Geneva. https://monographs.iarc.fr/ wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono92-14.pdf.[2] L. Duedahl-Olesen, M. Aaslyng, L. Meinert, T. Christensen, A.H. Jensen, M.-L. Binderup, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Danish barbecued meat, Food Control 57 (2015) 169-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. foodcont. 2015.04.012.[3] O. Santino, P.C. Viviana, C. Loredana, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coffee brew samples: analytical method by GC–MS, profile, levels and sources, food and chemical toxicology 47 (4) (2009) 819-826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2009.01.011.[4] L. Duedahl-Olesen, M.A. Navaratnam, J. Jewula, and A. H. Jensen, PAH in Some Brands of Tea and Coffee, Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds 35 (2015) 74–90. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/10406638.2014.918554.[5] F. J. van Schooten, E. J. C. Moonen, L. van der Wal, P. Levels, J.C.S. Kleinjans, Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and Their Metabolites in Blood, Feces, and Urine of Rats Orally Exposed to PAH Contaminated Soils, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 33 (3) (1997) 317–322. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/ s00 2449900259[6] E. Nethery, A.J. Wheeler, M. Fisher, A. Sjödin, Z. Li, L.C. Romanoff, W. Foster, T.E. Arbuckle, Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs in air: a pilot study among pregnant women, J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 22 (1) (2012) 70-81. https:// doi. org/10.1038/jes.2011.32.[7] Bộ Y tế, Chương trình phòng chống tác hại của thuốc lá quốc gia, 2015. http://vinacosh.gov.vn/ vi/hoat-dong/tai-lieu-truyen thong/2015/07/81E 20103/to-thong-tin-ve-tac-hai-cua-thuoc-la.[8] Y. Yamamoto, A. Ishizaki, H. Kataoka, Biomonitoring method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in hair by online in-tube solid-phase microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection, J. Chromatogr. B Anal. Technol. Biomed. Life Sci. 1000 (2015) 187–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jchromb.2015.07.033.[9] A. Toriba, Y. Kuramae, T. Chetiyanukornkul, R. Kizu, T. Makino, H. Nakazawa, K. Hayakawa, Quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human hair by HPLC with flourescence detection: A biological monitoring method to evaluate the exposure to PAHs, Biomedical Chromatography, 17 (2-3) (2003) 126-32. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.222.[10] P. Palazzi, S. Mezzache, N. Bourokba, E.M. Hardy, A. Schritz, P. Bastien, C. Emond, J. Li, J. Soeur, B.M.R. Appenzeller, Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in women living in the Chinese cities of BaoDing and Dalian revealed by hair analysis, Environ Int., 121 (Pt 2) (2018) 1341-1354. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.envint.2018.10.056[11] W. Wang, F. Wu, J. Zheng, M.H. Wong, Risk assessments of PAHs and Hg exposure via settled house dust and street dust, linking with their correlations in human hair, J Hazard Mater. 263 Pt 2 (2013) 627-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jhazmat.2013.10.023.[12] Z. Li, B. Wang, S. Ge, L. Yan, Y. Liu, Z. Li, A. Ren, A simultaneous analysis method of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nicotine, cotinine and metals in human hair, Environ Pollut. 219 (2016) 66-71. https://doi.org/10. 1016/j.envpol.2016.09.045.[13] I.C.T. Nisbet and P.K. LaGoy, Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 16 (3) (1992) 290-300. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/0273-2300(92)90009-X.

Agricultural and domestic pesticides in house dust from different agricultural areas in France.

Pesticides have been associated with various pathologies, and there is growing evidence of pesticide presence in domestic environments. However, most available studies focused on a limited number of pesticides or households, and few have been conducted in Europe. We aimed to assess indoor pesticide contamination by screening the prevalence of 276 pesticides and ten pesticide metabolites, in French households from different agricultural and urban areas. We sampled indoor dust from 239 households in 2012, proximate to orchards (n = 69), cereals (n = 66) and vineyard (n = 68) crops, or from urban area (n = 36). we used cellulose wipes moistened with isopropanol and polypropylene dust traps to collect recent (7 and 30 days, respectively) and settled dust (> 6 months). Overall, 125 pesticides and piperonyl butoxide were detected at least once in households, mostly at low prevalence: 97 in recent dust, and 111 in settled dust. In recent dust, the most prevalent compounds were o-phenylphenol (168 households, 70%), pentachlorophenol (86, 36%), and piperonyl butoxide (82, 34%). In addition to agricultural pesticides, we found a high proportion of domestic and banned compounds in recent and settled house dust. Several pesticides were identified in house dust, from different pesticide groups and sources. Our results suggest that domestic usage and persistence of banned pesticides may contribute substantially to indoor pesticide contamination. Graphical abstract 97 pesticides detected in households' recent indoor dust.

Assessing Human Exposure to Organic Pollutants in the Indoor Environment.

There is an ongoing probing of the role of chemicals in the indoor environment. The majority of potential target substances are so-called very volatile, volatile, and semi-volatile organic compounds (VVOCs, VOCs, and SVOCs). Depending on their physical properties and the mass transfer conditions, they are distributed in or between the gas phase, particle phase, settled house dust, surface films, clothing, and other fabrics as well as the exposed skin and hair of the occupants themselves. Therefore, inhalation, ingestion, and dermal uptake all must be considered as relevant pathways for exposure assessment in human habitats. Exposure to VVOCs, VOCs, and SVOCs can be estimated by measuring their concentrations in relevant indoor compartments or by determining the amounts of the target compounds and/or their metabolites in urine and blood. Assessing the various routes of exposure often requires a combination of sophisticated and interdisciplinary theoretical background and experimental techniques. Consequently, close communication and collaboration between chemical and exposure scientists are needed to achieve a better understanding of human exposure to chemical substances in various indoor environments. Embedded in the toxicological context, this is the basis for assessing the corresponding health risks and for determining control strategies or approaches to limit such risks.

Contribution of metals in resuspended dust to indoor and personal inhalation exposures: Relationships between PM10 and settled dust

This study investigated relationships between element concentrations in settled indoor dust and airborne particulate matter (PM), and characterized element concentrations in fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10-2.5) modes of indoor, outdoor and personal microenvironments. Concentrations in settled house dust correlated significantly (99% CI) with concentrations in indoor PM10 for 11 out of 17 studied elements: Ag, Al, As, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, U, V and Zn. Five elements showed significant correlations between personal PM10 and settled dust, at 99% CI for Ag, Al, and As; and at 95% CI for Mn and Sb. These significant dust- PM10 correlations were observed in non-smokers’ homes in Windsor, Canada, in which PM10-2.5 comprised 55% of personal and indoor PM10 (median values in 2005 and 2006 respectively). Several elements were more concentrated in indoor PM10 compared to the settled dust from which the PM10 was derived, with enrichment factors ranging from 1.3 to 11. Dust fractionation experiments confirmed that most trace elements were enriched in resuspended PM10 compared to the parent dust sample. The <10 μm fraction averaged 50% ± 3.6% (by weight) of the total <80 μm dust samples (range 37–56%; n = 69). Concentrations of many elements in the <10 μm fraction of settled dust were 1.4–2.0 times higher in samples from heavily carpeted homes compared to non-carpeted homes, including Al, As and the transition metals Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe Ni and Zn. The results demonstrate that settled dust concentration data are useful for estimating indoor and personal exposures via the inhalation pathway.