Comprehensive Characterization of European House Dust Contaminants: Contaminant Concentrations and Profiles, Geographical Variability, and Implications for Chemical Regulation and Health Risk#

Authors#

Peter Haglund, Nikiforos Alygizakis, Adrian Covaci, Lisa Melymuk, Pernilla Bohlin Nizzetto, Pawel Rostkowski, Alexandre Albinet, Sylvana Alirai, Dagny Aurich, Stefan Bieber, Ana Ballesteros-Gómez, Amanda A. Brennan, Hélène Budzinski, Gabriela Varela Castro, Fatima Den Ouden, Marie-Hélène Devier, Valeria Dulio, Yong-Lai Feng, Marta Gabriel, Christine Gallampois, Manuel Garcia-Vara, Georgios Giovanoulis, Stuart Harrad, Griet Jacobs, Karl J. Jobst, Sarit Kaserzon, Jolanta Kumirska, Francois Lestremau, Dimitra Lambropoulou, Thomas Letzel, Miren Lopez De Alda, Maja Nipen, Peter Oswald, Giulia Poma, Petra Přibylová, Elliott J. Price, Gaëlle Raffy, Bastian Schulze, Emma Schymanski, Petr Šenk, Si Wei, Jaroslav Slobodnik, Begoña Talavera Andújar, Martin Täubel, Nikolaos S. Thomaidis, Thanh Wang, Xianyu Wang

Abstract#

This study investigated the geographical variability and concentration profiles of contaminants in house dust across Europe. A collaborative trial (CT) was organized by the NORMAN network using a pooled dust sample and advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques combined with suspect screening and non-target screening (NTS). Over 1200 anthropogenic compounds were tentatively identified. Additionally, the seventy-five individual samples composing the pooled dust were subjected to target analysis and NTS. The median concentrations of most contaminants varied less than 3-fold across Europe, and the contaminant profile of European dust was similar to that of North American dust, which was investigated in a previous CT. This similarity may be attributed to the use of similar consumer articles and building materials throughout the developed world. Multivariate data analysis revealed geographical trends in contaminant distribution, with north-south gradients across Europe. Geographical trends were more frequently found for compounds with rapid release (pharmaceuticals, personal care products, fragrances, pesticides, biocides) and smoke-related compounds. The concentrations of chlorinated paraffins, PAHs, perfluorinated alkyl substances and stimulants generally increased from north to south, whereas the biocides levels decreased from north to south. Despite widespread presence of in-use contaminants in dusts, some of the highest risks come from compounds that have been restricted for decades or more. These include di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), PCB 118 and polybrominated diphenyl ethers 47, 99, and 153. DEHP remains the most abundant contaminant in European house dust, while the other compounds are classified as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Moreover, there is a striking lack of reliable toxicity data, particularly for emerging compounds. For instance, although acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) were examined for 202 compounds, only 46 had consensus-based ADI values. The results highlight the need for proactive measures to prevent hazardous and environmentally hazardous chemicals from entering the market and for careful selection of substitute chemicals, when such are needed, to avoid regrettable substitutions.