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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Chemical pollution is an increasing worldwide concern, with children being especially
vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. This study aimed to characterize the mixture
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in indoor air across residential, educational, and
recreational settings. It analyzed data on VOC concentrations from previous sampling campaigns
conducted in households with children, primary schools, and indoor swimming pools (70 buildings,
151 indoor spaces) in northern Portugal. The findings reveal the co-occurrence of 16 VOCs (1,2,4-
trimethylbenzene, benzene, ethylbenzene, m/o/p-xylenes, styrene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene,
2-ethylhexanol, butanol, acetophenone, ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde, decanal, nonanal, 1-methoxy-2-
propanol and limonene) across all three settings, primarily associated to emissions from building
materials and detergents. However, distinct patterns were also observed in the VOCs detected across
the three indoor environments: in homes, the predominant VOCs were primarily released from
cleaning and fragranced products; in schools, from ammonia-based cleaners and occupant activities;
and in swimming pools, the predominant airborne chemicals were disinfection by-products resulting
from the chemical dynamics associated with water disinfection. Overall, the findings highlight the
need for additional research to deepen our understanding of the risks posed by combined exposure
to multiple indoor air chemicals for children. These results also underscore the importance of
developing and enforcing regulations to monitor VOC levels in environments frequented by children
and implementing preventive measures to minimize their exposure to harmful chemicals.
Description
Keywords
Chemical air pollution Children Combined exposure Indoor environment Volatile organic compounds
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Gabriel, Marta Fonseca; Felgueiras, Fátima; Feliciano, Manuel (2024). Children’s Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds: A Comparative Analysis of Assessments in Households, Schools, and Indoor Swimming Pools. Atmosphere. ISSN 2073-4433. 15:12, p. 1-18
Publisher
MDPI