[Active ingredients of wood preservatives used in homes]

Wood preservation products have been applied in the domestic field for many years. Until 1977, formulations containing the insecticide lindane and the fungicide pentachlorophenol (PCP) had been used. In 90% of 217 households examined, wood protection products of this type had been applied and between 25 and about 1000 g lindane and between 5 g and about 10 kg PCP (including contaminating substances) had been used in a single house. Consequently, these active ingredients (e.g. PCP) could be detected increasingly in the environment and the organisms of persons living in the respective homes, i.e. in the air and in dust sampled indoors, in foodstuff and in urine. In comparison to samples of indoor air samples of domestic dust seem to be a much better indicator for exposure, as regards representativeness over an extended period. House dust is especially suitable for screening purposes because of its easy sampling and high biocide contents.