Sociodemographic and residential characteristics associated to persistent and non-persistent organic pollutants in household dust from Southern Spain. COVID-AND Study

Abstract

Background: Scientific evidence suggests that indoor dust contains chemical pollutants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones, which are present in building materials and everyday products and could have implications for human health. Objective: To quantify levels of PFAS, bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones in household dust of four cohorts from Andalusia (Spain) and determine their relationship with sociodemographic and residential characteristics. Methods: Household dust samples (n = 102) were collected (2023- 2025) within the COVID-AND study (a multi-purpose cohort whose overall aim is to investigate factors associated with Sars-CoV-2 infection in Andalusia), across four cohorts, CAPLIFE, GENEIDA, MCC-Granada, and MCC-Huelva. Target liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze ten PFAS, two bisphenols, four parabens, and five benzophenones. Associations with log-transformed chemical levels were analyzed using robust MM-estimator regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and residential variables. Results: Fifteen out of the 21 target chemicals were detected in all dust samples. Median concentrations ranged from 6.95 ng/g for PFHxA to 8590 ng/g for bisphenol A. High household income was positively associated with PFHxA (β:0.28, 95%CI 0.08,0.49), while University education was associated positively with benzophenone-3 (β:0.43, 95%CI 0.23,0.63). Manual work was linked to butylparaben (β:0.17, 95%CI 0.003,0.34). Densely populated areas were negatively associated with PFOA (β:-0.32, 95%CI -0.50, -0.13) and with older buildings PFOA (β:-0.007, 95%CI -0.01, -0.002)., Higher cleaning frequency was linked to benzophenone-1 (β:0.17, 95%CI 0.02,0.32). Conclusion: Sociodemographic and residential characteristics were associated with pollutant levels in household dust. Confirming these findings in future studies will help identify population groups at high risk of exposure.