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

Donghyun Kim; Ji Young Park; Dong Hyun Lee; Jae-Eun Lim; Hyo-Bang Moon; Sungkyoon Kim; Kiyoung Lee

doi:10.1111/ina.13071

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

Indoor Air. 2022 Jul;32(7):e13071. doi: 10.1111/ina.13071.

Authors

Donghyun Kim¹, Ji Young Park², Dong Hyun Lee³, Jae-Eun Lim⁴, Hyo-Bang Moon⁴, Sungkyoon Kim^{1

2}, Kiyoung Lee^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
² Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
³ Consulting & Technology for Environment Health and Safety, Seoul, South Korea.
⁴ Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, South Korea.

PMID: 35904395
DOI: 10.1111/ina.13071

Abstract

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.

Keywords: OPFR; alternative; house dust mite allergens; plasticizer; settled house dust.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Air Pollution, Indoor* / analysis
Allergens / analysis
Animals
Antigens, Dermatophagoides / analysis
Dust / analysis
Flame Retardants* / analysis
Humans
Organophosphates / analysis
Plasticizers / analysis
Pyroglyphidae

Substances

Allergens
Antigens, Dermatophagoides
Dust
Flame Retardants
Organophosphates
Plasticizers