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Organic Contaminants of Emerging Concern (OCECs) in Indoor Air: A Perspective on Global Distribution and Hazard Burden
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This review pulls together global research on chemicals from everyday products, like plastics, flame retardants, and stain repellents, that build up in indoor air. It finds that homes, schools, and offices each have their own mix of concerning chemicals, with the US, Germany, Sweden, and China showing higher exposure risks, though this may reflect better testing rather than dirtier air. The takeaway: indoor air quality deserves more consistent, worldwide monitoring so people can better understand what they're breathing at home and work.
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.
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Occurrence and sources of organic contaminants of emerging concern in indoor dust: A global perspective
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This review examines the global occurrence and sources of organic contaminants of emerging concern found in indoor dust, including flame retardants, phthalate alternatives, UV filters, and microplastics. The study found that indoor dust serves as a key medium for human exposure to these contaminants, with concentrations varying significantly across geographic regions and building types.
Microplastics and Associated Organic Pollutants in Indoor Environments
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This review pulls together what scientists currently know about microplastics floating in our indoor air and settling into household dust — and it turns out we're breathing and swallowing more of these tiny plastic particles than expected, especially in cities and near waste facilities. These particles often carry harmful chemicals like phthalates and flame retardants, and kids are exposed to higher doses than adults. The takeaway: our homes and indoor spaces are a significant, underappreciated source of plastic exposure, and more research is needed to figure out how to reduce it.
A systematic review of airborne microplastics emissions as emerging contaminants in outdoor and indoor air environments
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This systematic review compared microplastic levels in indoor and outdoor air around the world. Indoor air often contains more microplastics than outdoor air — largely from synthetic clothing and household items — meaning our homes and workplaces may be significant sources of daily microplastic exposure.
Screening of halogenated flame retardants and microplastics in indoor air from various microenvironments in Barcelona, Spain
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Researchers tested indoor air and dust in Barcelona homes, workplaces, and cars for flame retardant chemicals and microplastics, finding that dust (not air) contains the highest levels of these substances, with breathing them in being the biggest exposure route. The good news: measured exposure levels were below thresholds considered risky for health. However, since the study didn't account for exposure through food or certain airborne chemical forms, actual total exposure could be higher—meaning continued monitoring is important to catch potential health risks before they become a real problem.
Microplastics in Indoor Environments and Associated Health Risks
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This review pulls together existing research showing that the air inside your home or office likely contains more tiny plastic particles (microplastics) than the air outside, coming from everyday things like household dust, synthetic fabrics, cleaning products, and packaging. Since most of us spend the majority of our time indoors, this matters because we're likely inhaling and ingesting more of these particles than previously realized, though scientists still don't fully understand the health risks. The researchers stress that more studies are needed to pin down exact dangers and figure out how to reduce this exposure at home.
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