Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exposure of Children to Pollutants in House Dust and Indoor Air

  • Chapter
Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Part of the book series: Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology ((RECT,volume 143))

Abstract

Indoor pollution has been ranked by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board (USEPA 1987, 1990) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC 1991) as a high environmental risk. Together, lead, contaminated soil, house dust, allergens, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hazardous household chemicals, indoor air pollution, tobacco smoke, and other pollutants pose a significant environmental risk to children, adults, and pets. Home pollutant exposure may result in retarded growth, learning disabilities, allergies, cancer, nervous system damage, and other illnesses. We continue to allow, in many homes, exposures to these substances that would not be tolerated on the job or in the outdoor environment because most people, including political leaders, are not aware of the problem.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Batik O, Krieger J, Alexander ER (1992) The health of King County’s children-1990. Seattle-King County Health Dept., Seattle, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellach BM, Thefeld W, Krause C, Hoffmeister H, Schulz C (1994) Differences in the prevalence of inhalation allergies in East and West Germany—Results of a national health and environmental survey. In: Proceedings of the 6th Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology and 4th Conference of the International Society for Exposure Analysis, Research Triangle Park, NC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brundage JF, Scott RM, Lednar WM, Smith DW, Miller RN (1988) Building associated risk of febrile acute respiratory diseases in Army trainees. J Am Med Assoc 259(14):2108–2112.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brunekreef B, Dockery DW, Speixer FE, Ware JH, Spengler JD, Ferris BG (1989) Home dampness and respiratory morbidity in children. Am Rev Respir Dis 140: 1363–1364.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Budd WT, Roberts JW, Ruby MG (1990) Field evaluation of a high volume surface sampler for pesticides in floor dust. EPA 600–3–90–030, PB 90–192006, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calabrese EJ, Stanek E (1991) A guide to interpreting soil ingestion studies: II. Quantitative evidence of soil ingestion. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 13:278–292.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Camann DE, Hsu JP, Fortmann RC, Roberts JW, Lewis RG (1991) Association between measured pesticide levels in indoor air and carpet dust in the home. In: Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants. Air and Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, pp 1113–1119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Camann DE, Geno PW, Harding HJ, Giardino NJ, Bond AE, Lewis RG, Akland GG (1993) A pilot study of pesticides in indoor air in relation to agricultural applications. In: Saarela K, Kalliokoski P, Seppanen O (eds) Indoor Air 93: 6th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Helsinki. Indoor Air 93 2:207–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Camann DE (1994) Investigating the effects of pesticide exposure in the home. Technology Today, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  • Camann DE, Buckley JD (1994) Carpet dust: an indicator of exposure at home to pesticides, PAHs, and tobacco smoke. In: Proceedings of the 6th Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology and 4th Conference of the International Society for Exposure Analysis, Research Triangle Park, NC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell JA (1937) The effects of road dust “freed” from tar products upon the incidence of primary lung-tumors of mice. Br J Exp Pathol 18:215–223.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (1991) Preventing lead poisoning in young children. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • CDC (1994) National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES III). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • CH2M Hill (1991) House dust remediation report for the Bunker Hill CERCLA site populated areas RI/FS. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Boise, ID.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charney E, Kessler B, Farfel M, Jackson D (1983) Childhood lead poisoning: a controlled trial of the effect of dust-control measures on blood lead levels. N Engl J Med 309(18):1089.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chuang JC, Gordon SM, Han W, Roberts JW, Ruby MG (1994) Evaluation of HVS3 sampler for sampling polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. EPA 600/R-94/188 (PB95–123931), Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chuang JC, Callahan PJ, Menton RG, Gordon SM, Lewis RG, Wilson NK (1995) Monitoring methods for polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons and their distribution in house dust and track-in soil. Environ Sci Technol 29:494–500.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clark CS, Bornschein RL, Succop P, Roda S, Peace B (1991) Urban lead exposures of children in Cincinnati, Ohio. Chem Speciation Bioavailability 314:163–171.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole EC, Foarde KK, Leese KE, Franke DL, Berry MA (1993) Biocontaminants in carpeted environments. In: Kalliokoski P, Jantunen M, Seppanen O (eds) Indoor Air 93: 6th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Indoor Air 93, Helsinki, 4:351–356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cole EC, Foarde KK, Leese KE, Franke DL, Dulaney PD, Green DA, Hall RM (1994) Indoor environment characterization of a non-problem building: assessment of cleaning effectiveness. 94U-4479–014, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, pp 19–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davies DJA, Thorton I, Watt JM, Culbard EB, Harvey PG, Delves HT, Sherlock JC, Smart GA, Thomas JFA, Quinn MJ (1990) Relationship between blood lead and lead intake in two-year old urban children in the UK. Sci Total Environ 90: 13–29.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis DL, Dinse DL, Hoel DG (1994) Decreasing cardiovascular disease and increasing cancer among whites in the United States from 1973 through 1987. J Am Med Assoc 271:431–437.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dickey P (1994) Buy smart, buy safe—A consumer’s guide to less-toxic products. Washington Toxics Coalition, Seattle, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehnert B, Lau-Schadendorf S, Weber A, Buettner P, Schou C, Wahn U (1992) Reducing domestic exposure to dust mite allergen reduces bronchial hyperactivity in sensitive children with asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1:135–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gyntelberg F, Suadicani P, Nielsen JW, Skov P, Valbjorn O, Nielsen PA, Schneider T, Jorgensen O, Wolkoff P, Wilkins CK, Gravesen S, Nom S (1994) Dust and the sick building syndrome. Indoor Air 4:223–238.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hilts SR (1994) HEPA house cleaning pilot project. Trail Lead Program, Trail, BC, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) (1983) Monographs on the evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyons, France, 32:155–161, 225–237.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Programme of Chemical Safety (IPCS) (1986) Principles for evaluating health risks from chemicals during infancy and early childhood: the need for a special approach. Environmental Health Criteria No. 59, World Health Organization, Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jancin B (1995) HMOs see big savings in asthma care. Pediatr News, January, pp 5–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knaak J, Schreider J, Berteau P (1987) Hazard assessment of indoor use of chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, propoxur, and other organophosphates and N-methyl carbamates as well as studies recommended if certain uses are proposed for continuation by registrants. HS-1423, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Sacramento, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig JQ, Larson TV, Hamley QS, Rebolledo V, Dumler K, Checkoway H, Wang SZ, Lin D, Pierson WE (1993) Pulmonary lung function in children associated with fine particulate matter. Environ Res 63:26–38.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause C, Englert N, Dube P (1987) Pentachlorophenol-containing wood preservatives: analyses and evaluation. In: Seifert B, Esdorn H, Fischer M, Ruden H, Wegner J (eds) Proceedings, Indoor Air 87. Institute for Water, Soil and Air Hygiene, Berlin, pp 220–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis RG, Fortmann RC, Camann DE (1994) Evaluation of methods for monitoring the potential exposure of small children to pesticides in the residential environment. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 26:37–46.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahaffey KR, Annest JL (1985) Association of blood level, hand-to-mouth activity, and pica among young children. Fed Proc 44:752.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maron DM, Ames BN (1983) Revised method for Salmonella mutagenicity test. Mutat Res 113:173–215.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mclaren-Hart (1994) Remedial investigation report of Harbor Island. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Seattle, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Menzie CA, Potocki BB, Santodonato J (1992) Exposure to carcinogenic PAHs in the environment. Environ Sci Technol 26:1278–1284.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mielke HW, Adams JE, Huff B, Pepersack J, Regan PL, Stoppel D, Mielke P (1992) Dust control as a means of reducing inner-city childhood Pb exposure. In: Hemphill DL, Beck B (eds) Trace Substances in Environmental Health—XXV, Cambridge, MA, pp 121–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray AB, Ferguson AC (1993) Dust-free bedrooms in the treatment of asthmatic children with house dust or dust mite allergy: a controlled trial. Pediatrics 71:3: 418–422.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) (1994a) Morbidity and mortality; chartbook on cardiovascular, lung, and blood disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • NHLBI (1994b) Executive summary: guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Pub 94–3042A, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Safety Council (1994) Accident facts, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (1987) Occupational exposure to formaldehyde (12/4/87). Fed Reg 52(233):46168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platts-Mills TAE, Chapman MD (1987) Dust mites: immunology, allergic disease, and environmental control. J Allergy Clin Immunol 80:755–775.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pope AM, Patterson R, Burge H (1993) Indoor allergens: assessing and controlling health effects. National Institutes of Medicine. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raw GJ, Roys MS, Whitehead C (1993) Sick building syndrome, Cleanliness is next to healthiness. Indoor Air 3:237–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Ruby MG, Warren GR (1987) Mutagenic activity of house dust. In: Sandhu SS, DeMarini DM, Mass MJ, Moore MM, Mumford JL (eds) Short-term bioassays in the analysis of complex mixtures, vol V. Plenum Press, New York, pp 355–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Budd WT, Camann DE, Fortmann RC, Sheldon LC, Lewis RG (1991a) A small high volume surface sampler (HVS3) for pesticides, and other toxic substances in house dust. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of Air and Waste Management Association, Vancouver, BC. Air and Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, 15:150.2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Camann DE, Spittler TM (1991b) Reducing lead exposure from remodeling and soil track-in older homes. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Air and Waste Management Association, Vancouver, BC. Air and Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA 15:134.2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Budd WT, Camann DE, Fortmann RC, Lewis RG, Ruby MG, Spittler TM (1992) Human exposure to pollutants in floor dust in homes and offices. J Expos Anal Environ Epidemiol 2(suppl 1):127–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Budd WT, Chuang JC, Lewis RG (1993a) Chemical contaminants in house dust: Occurrences and sources. In: Saarela K, Kalliokoski P, Seppanen O (eds) Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Indoor Air 93, Helsinki 2:27–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Dickey P, Hagelstein KA, Knights R, Wallace LA (1993b) Home environmental assessment by volunteers. In: Seppanen O, Ilmarinen R, Jaakkola JJK, Kukkonen E, Sateri J, Vuorelma H (eds) Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Indoor Air 93, Helsinki 6:639–644.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Glass G, Spittler TM (1994) How much dust and lead are in an old rug — Measurement and control. In: Proceedings of the 6th Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology and 4th Conference of the International Society for Exposure Analysis. International Society of Epidemiology, Research Triangle Park, NC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts JW, Han W, Ruby MG (1995) Evaluation of dust samplers for bare floors and upholstery. Contract 68-D0–0007, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robinson T, Russell P (1992) Healthy indoor environments for energy efficient housing. In: Proceedings of the 9th World Clean Air Congress, Montreal, Canada 7:IU-12B.11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skov P, Valbjorn O, Pedersen BV (1989) Influence of personal characteristics, job-related factors, and psychosocial factors on sick building syndrome. Scand J Work Environ Health 15:286–295.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skov P, Valbjorn O, Pedersen BV (1991) Influence of indoor climate on the sick building syndrome. Scand J Work Environ Health 16:363–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sporik R, Holgate ST, Platts-Mills TAE, Cogswell JJ (1990) Exposure to house-dust mite allergen (Der p I) and the development of asthma in childhood. N Engl J Med 323:502–507.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Travis CC, Hester ST (1991) Global chemical pollution. Environ Sci Technol 25: 815–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsongas G (1992) A field study of indoor moisture problems and damage in new Pacific Northwest homes. In: Proceedings, ASHRAE/DOE/ORNL Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelope of Buildings, vol V. Clearwater Beach, FL.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) (1987) Unfinished business: a comparative assessment of environmental problems. Appendix I. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (1990) Reducing risk: Setting priorities and strategies for environmental protection. EPA SAB-EC-900–021, Science Advisory Board, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA, Region 10 (1993a) American Crossarm and Conduit Record of Decision, Seattle, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (1993b) The inside story: A guide to indoor air quality. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkataraman C, Friedlander SK (1994) Source resolution of fine particulate polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons using a receptor model modified for reactivity. J Air Waste Manage Assoc 44:1103–1108.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallace LA (1987) The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study: Summary and analysis, vol 1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, p 107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace LA (1991) Comparison of risks from outdoor and indoor exposure to toxic chemicals. Environ Health Perspect 95:7–13.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warren GR (1982) Detection of genetically toxic metals by microliter microbial DNA repair assay. In: Waters MD, Sandu SS, Huisingh JL, Claxton LD, Nesnow S (eds) Short term bioassays in the analysis of complex mixtures II. PB 82–233172, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, pp 101–118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington State Department of Ecology (WDOE) (1993) Model Toxics Control Act Cleanup Regulation. 173–340 WAC, Washington State Department of Ecology, Olympia, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington State Department of Health (WSDH) (1994) Comprehensive hospital abstract reporting system (CHARS). Washington State Department of Health, Olympia, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss KB, Gergen PJ, Hodgson TA (1992a) An economic evaluation of asthma in the United States. N Engl J Med 326:862–866.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss KB, Gergen PJ, Crain EF (1992b) Inner-city asthma: The epidemiology of an emerging US public health concern. Chest 101:362S–367S.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitmore RW, Immerman FW, Camann DE, Lewis RG, Bond AA, Schaum JL (1994) Non-occupational exposure to pesticides for residents of two cities. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 26:47–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Plus Inc., 1425 E. Prospect #3, Seattle, WA, 98112, USA

    John W. Roberts

  2. Washington Toxics Coalition, 4516 University Way NE, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Philip Dickey

Authors
  1. John W. Roberts
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Philip Dickey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721, USA

    George W. Ware

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Roberts, J.W., Dickey, P. (1995). Exposure of Children to Pollutants in House Dust and Indoor Air. In: Ware, G.W. (eds) Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, vol 143. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2542-3_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2542-3_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7574-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2542-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation