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Young Children’s Exposures to Molds and Consumer Product Ingredients in their Homes
Citation:
Tulve, N., M. Clifton, S. Vesper, P. Egeghy, K. Thomas, E. Ulrich, Dan Stout, K. Isaacs, D. Werthmann, AND F. Rabito. Young Children’s Exposures to Molds and Consumer Product Ingredients in their Homes. 2017 ISES Annual Meeting, Durham, NC, October 15 - 19, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
Presented at the ISES 2017 Annual Meeting
Description:
Young children’s physiology and unique interactions with the environment have been shown to influence their exposures to common chemical and biological agents. Many types of consumer products are present in homes, resulting in the potential for direct and indirect exposures to multiple agents. Biological agents present in homes can combine with chemical agents to potentially impact health. Our objective was to examine how lifestage, product use, and building factors affect children’s exposures to selected chemical and biological agents in their home. Multimedia samples (air, dust, surface and hand wipe, sock) and supporting information were collected from 12 children (4-11 years old) living in 8 low-income homes in New Orleans, LA (2016). Surface wipe samples (wipe area=929 cm2) were collected from counters and floors in kitchens and bathrooms. Preliminary consumer product chemical concentrations (pg/cm2) included linalool: 1-8,500; limonene: <MDL-1,250; methyl paraben: <MDL-20,000; propyl paraben: <MDL-13,000; butyl paraben: <MDL-290; triclosan: <MDL-2,000; piperonyl butoxide: <MDL-18,000; permethrin: 1-36,000; fipronil: <MDL-340. Settled dust samples were collected from door jambs and analyzed for mold contamination using a DNA-based analysis. The ERMI (Environmental Relative Moldiness Index) scale, used to measure water damage and predict potential for unhealthy mold conditions, was calculated. The average ERMI value was 5.8 (scale: -10 to 20); however, in 2 homes the ERMI values exceeded 14, indicating mold contamination and potential water damage. All surface wipe samples contained measureable concentrations of the selected chemical agents. These homes showed evidence of water damage and mold growth, with 4 homes in the highest quartile for mold contamination. These preliminary results provide additional evidence that the young children in this pilot study were exposed to a combination of multiple consumer product chemicals and biological agents in their homes.
