Office air is a source of toxic substances
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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In a first-of-its-kind study, scientists report that indoor air in offices is an important source of potentially toxic substances coming from carpets, furniture, paint and other items. A report in which scientists made a connection between the level of so-called polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the air of office premises and workers' blood, is published in the journal ACS - Environmental Science & Technology.
The author of the study Michael McClean and his colleagues explain that polyfluorinated compounds used in water repellent coatings of carpets and furniture can have an adverse effect on human health. Scientists know that potential sources of these substances are food, water, indoor air, dust and direct contact with PFCs, which are contained in these facilities. But the relationship between levels in the air and in the blood has not been previously studied. Therefore, a group of researchers led by McClean decided to fill this gap by examining 31 workers in Boston.
They found that the concentration of PFC (fluoro-omeric alcohol (FTOH)) in the air of office premises was 3-5 times higher than reported in previous studies, thus proving that office cabinets are serious sources of negative effects on the health of workers. In addition, the study showed a close relationship between the concentrations of FTOH in the air and perfluorocaprylic acid (a metabolite of FTOH) in the blood of office workers. The study also suggests that workers who are in newly renovated office buildings can receive significantly higher doses of PFCs than workers in older buildings.
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