Dust contributes to exposures of three common contaminants.

Jul 15, 2009

Geens T, L Roosens, H Neels and A Covaci. Assessment of human exposure to Bisphenol-A, Triclosan and Tetrabromobisphenol-A through indoor dust intake in Belgium. Chemosphere doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.05.024.

Synopsis by Heather Hamlin

Dust increases people's exposure to three major environmental contaminants – bisphenol A, Triclosan and a common flame retardant, TBBPA – but this route of exposure is small compared to diet.

Chemicals heavily used in everyday products can end up in dust and increase people's exposure to the contaminants, reports a study by Belgium researchers who calculated exposure to bisphenol A, an antibacterial agent and a flame retardant through dust.

The researchers conclude that exposure to BPA, tetrabromobisphenol-A 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 the greatest contributors.

Researchers evaluated the concentrations of Bisphenol A (BPA), Triclosan and the flame retardant TBBPA in 18 houses and 2 offices in Belgium.

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 lab animals. Triclosan is an antibacterial compound 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.

Through age and use, the chemicals can leave the products and end up in dust, increasing people's exposure. Today, these compounds are found in the urine and breast milk of most Americans.