Increased Indoor Exposure to Commonly Used Disinfectants during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Public Health

Background:

• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are common disinfectants.
• Increased use during COVID-19 pandemic raises exposure concerns.
• QAC exposure linked to reproductive and respiratory health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the occurrence of 19 QACs in residential dust.
• To compare QAC levels before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify sources of QACs in indoor environments.

Main Methods:

• Collected residential dust samples before and during the pandemic.
• Analyzed dust samples for 19 different QACs.
• Compared QAC concentrations between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.

Main Results:

• QACs detected in over 90% of pandemic dust samples.
• Significantly higher total QAC concentrations during the pandemic (median 58.9 μg/g) vs. pre-pandemic (median 36.3 μg/g).
• Higher QAC levels correlated with more frequent household disinfection.

Conclusions:

• Indoor exposure to QACs is widespread and has increased during the pandemic.
• Disinfecting products are a likely significant source of QACs in homes.
• Findings highlight potential risks associated with increased QAC use for disinfection.