Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 25, 2026

Composition and Distribution Analysis of Bioaerosols Under Different Environmental Conditions
Published on: January 7, 2019
Organic Contaminants of Emerging Concern (OCECs) in Indoor Air: A Perspective on Global Distribution and Hazard
Shuo Yang1, Xinyi Zhou1, Nan Fu2
1Yunnan Provincial Key Lab of Soil Carbon Sequestration and Pollution Control, Faculty of Environmental Science & Engineering, Kunming University of Science & Technology, Kunming650500, Yunnan, China.
Abstract:
The diversity and concentrations of organic contaminants of emerging concern (OCECs) in indoor air are increasing, yet their distribution and potential hazard burdens remain insufficiently understood. This review synthesizes seven major classes of indoor OCECs, encompassing over 130 compounds across diverse indoor environments (residences, offices, schools, and commercial spaces). Acrossmicroenvironments, OCECs exhibit distinct distribution patterns, with phthalate alternatives (PAEAs) dominating residential air (up to 2.08 × 104 ng/m3), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in schools (up to 230 ng/m3), organophosphate esters (OPEs) in offices (up to 159 ng/m3), and both PFAS (up to 316 ng/m3) and alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) (up to 0.340 ng/m3) in commercial environments. Although included in the occurrence synthesis, microplastics (MPs) were excluded from the inhalation hazard index due to inconsistent units and toxicity metrics. Inhalation hazard prioritization revealed that the United States, Germany, Sweden, and China exhibited relatively higher hazard burdens, with PAEAs, chlorinated paraffins (CPs), OPEs, and PFAS identified as the predominant contributors. However, the higher estimated hazard levels in these countries may partly reflect more comprehensive monitoring efforts and broader chemical coverage, rather than indicating inherently greater indoor OCEC contamination. These findings highlight the need for globally standardized monitoring strategies and harmonized assessment frameworks.
Related Concept Videos
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Microbial Bioremediation of Pesticides
Sources of Food Contamination
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
