Certain indoor air pollutants can be absorbed through the skin – here’s what you need to know

Indoor Air Pollution and Health: The Role of Skin Absorption

Even though most of us will spend a majority of our lives indoors, that doesn’t mean we aren’t still exposed to air pollution. Indoor air contains a wide array of pollutants including chemicals found in many common household items, building materials, and cleaning products.

These chemicals, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can occur in gaseous form, which means we can inhale them. But there’s a sub-group of VOCs called semi-volatile organic compounds. These can occur both in gas form and absorbed on solid surfaces (including all indoor surfaces, as well as dust).

Not only can these chemicals enter our body through inhalation, ingestion, or by touching a surface containing these compounds, research shows they can also penetrate the skin directly from the air.

Once in our body, these chemicals may harm our health – potentially affecting the respiratory system, nervous system, cognitive health, and the hormonal system.

Skin Exposure to Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds

There are many groups of semi-volatile organic compounds. One type you’ll probably come across in your home are phthalates. Phthalates are everywhere and our exposure to them is nearly continuous.

Phthalates are used as plasticizers, added to certain products so they’re softer and more flexible. They can be found in certain types of plastics (such as food packaging or garden hoses), building materials (such as vinyl flooring), and personal care products (including shampoos and hair sprays).

Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a variety of health problems, including lower sperm quality, poorer cardiovascular health, and altered growth and development in children.

Once phthalates enter the body, they’re broken down over a few hours to a few days. These breakdown products (metabolites) are then excreted through urine. But while phthalates may be quickly excreted by the body, most of us still have these chemicals in our body almost all the time. This is because we are continuously exposed to these chemicals.

There are many ways we can be exposed to phthalates in our daily lives. While people might think they’re only at risk if they inhale or ingest these chemicals, research shows skin absorption can have a major effect on phthalate levels in the body.

Experimental Study on Skin Absorption

In one study, six participants were exposed to air containing elevated levels of two phthalates in a controlled climate chamber. This was done using latex paint, formulated with a heavy dose of the target phthalates and applied to aluminum plates hanging in the chamber, thus introducing them into the air.

To separately measure the quantity of phthalates absorbed through inhalation versus through skin, the participants were exposed twice – once wearing a tight-fitting breathing hood (exposing them only through skin) and once without the hood (exposing them through both skin and inhalation). The participants only wore shorts in order to increase the exposed skin surface area.

Their diet and use of personal care products were restricted, as these can be a major source of phthalate intake. Participants also collected their urine for several days after exposure. The quantity of phthalates absorbed by participants was estimated from the concentration of phthalate metabolites in their urine.

The participants had a substantial intake of phthalates even when only their skin was exposed. Their exposure was even higher after the test where both their skin and airways were exposed to the chemicals.

In the same study, an additional participant was put through the experiment to better understand how skin absorbs chemicals and whether clothing has a protective effect. The participant was exposed to the phthalates twice. He wore a breathing hood both times, to ensure that the skin was the only absorption route.

In the first experiment, he wore a set of clean clothes. In the second experiment, he

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article discusses the potential harm to human health caused by exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) present in indoor air. SDG 3 aims to ensure good health and well-being for all, and reducing exposure to hazardous chemicals and air pollution is a key component of this goal.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The article highlights the importance of paying attention to air quality in urban areas, as indoor air can contain harmful VOCs and SVOCs. SDG 11 focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities, including reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, which includes addressing air quality issues.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article mentions the use of phthalates in consumer products, such as plastics, building materials, and personal care products. SDG 12 aims to promote responsible consumption and production, including the environmentally sound management of chemicals. Reducing the release of harmful chemicals like phthalates into the environment is an important aspect of this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.

The article discusses the potential harm to human health caused by exposure to VOCs and SVOCs present in indoor air. Target 3.9 specifically addresses reducing deaths and illnesses related to hazardous chemicals and air pollution.

Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

The article emphasizes the importance of paying attention to air quality in urban areas, as indoor air can contain harmful VOCs and SVOCs. Target 11.6 focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including addressing air quality issues.

Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

The article mentions the use of phthalates in consumer products and highlights the need for environmentally sound management of chemicals. Target 12.4 specifically addresses achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and reducing their release to air, water, and soil.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article provides several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Concentration of VOCs in indoor air: This indicator can be used to assess the level of hazardous chemicals present in indoor environments and their potential impact on human health.
– Concentration of phthalates in indoor air and dust: This indicator can help measure the presence of phthalates, a type of SVOC, in indoor environments and their potential health risks.
– Concentration of other SVOCs in indoor air and dust: This indicator can be used to measure the presence of other SVOCs, apart from phthalates, in indoor environments and their potential health risks.
– Concentration of VOCs in indoor air in urban areas: This indicator can assess the level of hazardous chemicals present in indoor environments specifically in urban areas, contributing to the assessment of air quality in cities.
– Concentration of SVOCs in indoor air in urban areas: This indicator can assess the presence of SVOCs, apart from VOCs, in indoor environments specifically in urban areas, contributing to the assessment of air quality in cities.
– Concentration of VOCs and SVOCs in indoor air from consumer products: This indicator can measure the level of VOCs and SVOCs emitted from consumer products, helping to evaluate the environmental impact of these products.
– Concentration of phthalates in consumer products: This indicator can assess the presence of phthalates in various consumer products, contributing to the evaluation of their potential health risks.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators