Persistent organic pollutants in dust from older homes: learning from lead

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Children's exposure to chemical contaminants in indoor environments is a significant public health concern.
• Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can accumulate in settled dust, posing a risk to young children who spend more time in close contact with floors.
• The age of a home may influence the types and concentrations of chemical contaminants present in indoor dust.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between home age and the concentrations of various chemical contaminants in settled household dust.
• To explore the potential of using existing lead hazard control methods to mitigate children's exposure to persistent organic pollutants.

Main Methods:

• Dust samples were collected from 583 homes between 2001 and 2007 as part of the California Childhood Leukemia Study.
• A high-volume small surface sampler and household vacuum cleaners were used for dust collection.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were employed to analyze 94 different chemicals in the dust samples.

Main Results:

• Concentrations of lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine insecticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in dust showed a significant positive correlation with home age.
• No significant correlation was found between home age and the concentrations of pyrethroid insecticides or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

Conclusions:

• Older homes tend to accumulate higher levels of multiple persistent chemical contaminants in their settled dust compared to newer homes.
• The findings underscore the importance of developing targeted strategies to minimize children's exposure to these chemicals, particularly in older housing.
• Further research into the efficacy of lead hazard controls for reducing exposure to a broader range of persistent pollutants is recommended.