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Toxic chemicals on floors and furniture are exposed to higher concentrations of harmful semi-volatile organic compounds (Representational image) & nbsp | & nbspPhoto: & nbspGetty Images
New York: A new study finds that children living in homes with toxic chemicals in their floors and furniture are exposed to higher levels of harmful semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their blood or urine than those in homes. without these substances. SVOCs, a subset of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have been badociated with various diseases in children. VOCs are a type of pollutants in the indoor air.
The study found that children in homes with vinyl flooring had concentrations of metabolites in the urine of benzyl and butyl phthalate 15 times higher than those living without floor coverings. vinyl. In addition, children living in households where the sofa contained flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) had a six-fold higher concentration of PBDEs in their blood serum.
Exposure to PBDEs has been linked to neurodevelopmental delays, obesity, endocrine and thyroid disturbances, cancer and other diseases, according to the study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Progress of Science in the United States. In addition, benzyl butyl phthalate has been badociated with respiratory disorders, skin irritations, multiple myeloma and reproductive disorders.
"SVOCs are widely used in electronics, furniture and building materials and can be detected in almost any indoor environment," said Heather Stapleton, environmental chemist at the University of Ottawa. Duke University, United States.
"Human exposure to these substances is widespread, especially among young children who spend most of their time indoors and are more exposed to the chemicals found in household dust," Stapleton said. . For the study, researchers performed SVOC home exposures in 203 children from 190 families.
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