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New report: Dust contributes to exposures of harmful contaminants
| Chemicals heavily used in everyday products can end up in dust and increase people’s exposure to these contaminants. |
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In a new study, scientists calculated exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an antibacterial agent and a flame retardant through dust. They determined the concentrations of BPA, triclosan (TCS) and tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) in indoor dust samples from 18 houses and 2 offices in Flanders, Belgium.
The researchers conclude that exposure to BPA, TBBPA and triclosan from dust contributes to less than 10 percent of average total daily exposure. Diet and direct contact with personal care products are the greatest contributors.
Concentrations in homes were found to be 1,460; 220 and 10 nanograms/gram dust for BPA, Triclosan and TBBPA respectively. Concentrations in offices were almost 5-10 times higher for BPA and TBBPA.
BPA is a chemical in plastic that mimics estrogen and has been associated with a host of reproductive and other harmful effects in animals and maybe even in humans. Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical used in many personal care products that has been associated with thyroid damage. TBBPA is a brominated flame retardant derived from BPA and has been shown to cause neurological and thyroid disorders.
Related materials:
HEAL - CHEM Trust publications:
- Female health: Breast cancer and exposures to hormonally active chemicals
CHEM Trust materials:
Written on 11 September 2009.
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- This website is a part of the Chemicals Health Monitor Project (CHM), which aims to improve public health by ensuring that key scientific evidence on the links between chemicals and ill-health are translated into policy as quickly as possible. The CHM project was launched by the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) in collaboration with CHEM Trust, Collaborative on Health and Environment and other partner organisations across Europe in March 2007.
- The Health and Environment Alliance is grateful for the financial support of the Sigrid Rausing Trust, the Marisla Foundation and the European Commission, DG Environment. The views expressed in this website do not necessarily reflect the official views of the EU institutions and funders.
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