Title: | Assessing exposure of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in car cabins: Current understanding and future challenges in developing a standardized methodology |
Author(s): | Lexen J; Bernander M; Cotgreave I; Andersson PL; |
Address: | "Department of Chemistry, Umea University, Umea, Sweden; Sustainability Centre, Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: jenny.lexen@umu.se. Sustainability Centre, Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden. Bioeconomy and Health, Department Chemical Process and Pharmaceutical Development, Unit Chemical and Pharmaceutical Safety, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden. Department of Chemistry, Umea University, Umea, Sweden" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106847 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1873-6750 (Electronic) 0160-4120 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) can be found in air, dust and on surfaces in car cabins, leading to exposure to humans via dust ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. This review aims at describing current understanding concerning sampling, levels, and human exposure of SVOCs from car cabin environments. To date, several different methods are used to sample SVOCs in car cabin air and dust and there are no standard operating procedures for sampling SVOCs in cars detailed in the literature. The meta-analysis of SVOCs in car cabin air and dust shows that brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have been most frequently studied, primarily focusing on concentrations in dust. In dust, detected concentrations span over three to seven orders of magnitude, with highest median concentrations for OPFRs, followed by BFRs and, thereafter, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In air, the variation is smaller, spanning over one to three orders of magnitude, with phthalates and siloxanes having the highest median concentrations, followed by OPFRs, fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) and BFRs. Assessments of human exposures to SVOCs in cars have, so far, mainly focused on external exposure, most often only studying one exposure route, primarily via dust ingestion. In order to perform relevant and complete assessments of human exposure to SVOCs in cars, we suggest broadening the scope to which SVOCs should be studied, promoting more comprehensive external exposure assessments that consider exposure via all relevant exposure routes and making comparisons of external and internal exposure, in order to understand the importance of in-car exposure as a source of SVOC exposure. We also suggest a new sampling approach that includes sampling of SVOCs in both car cabin air and dust, aiming to reduce variability in data due to differences in sampling techniques and protocols" |
Keywords: | "*Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis Automobiles Dust/analysis *Flame Retardants/analysis Humans *Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis Air Automotive Car Dust Human exposure Indoor Svoc Sampling;" |
Notes: | "MedlineLexen, Jenny Bernander, Maria Cotgreave, Ian Andersson, Patrik L eng Meta-Analysis Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review Netherlands 2021/09/04 Environ Int. 2021 Dec; 157:106847. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106847. Epub 2021 Aug 31" |