The German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV): Probabilistic Estimates of Children's Inhalative Exposure to Indoor Air Pollutants at Home

Abstract

Within the population-representative German Environmental Survey for Children (GerES IV) inhalative exposures to indoor pollutants at home were estimated for elucidating exposure factors and the variation of exposure. Methods 1,790 children participated in GerES IV. Volatile organic compounds and aldehydes were quantified in a subsample of approx. 600 children by passive air sampling in their bedrooms. Parental reports on the childs time spent at home and on ventilation behavior were obtained. Probabilistic estimations of the inhalative exposures at home were carried out stratified by season based on fitted reference distributions. Results Average indoor air pollutant levels were significantly higher in winter, partly explainable by seasonal differences in airing behavior. These differences were only small for alpha-pinene and formaldehyde. Also the estimates of inhalative exposures were constantly higher in winter. Highest median winter exposures were estimated for limonene, formaldehyde and toluene with 7.8, 7.5, and 6.1 ìg/(kg d), respectively. Highest variation in exposure resulted for limonene (IQR = 7.04 ìg/(kg d)). The inhalative exposure was mainly influenced by indoor pollutants levels (R2 = 0.53 - 0.96). Young children, however, were prone to higher exposures due to higher breathing rates and durations spent at home. Conclusions GerES IV yields reference distributions for indoor air pollutant levels in childrens home environments and related inhalative exposures, 206considering seasonal differences. As for some pollutants, e. g. benzene, assessment values are reached or exceeded, health effects cannot be excluded. Further monitoring and public health strategies targeted to parents of young children are warranted. Acknowledgements GerES IV was funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety. GerES IV field work was carried out by the Robert Koch Institute.In: The International Societyof Exposure Science: 25th Annual Meeting: Exposures in an Evolving Environment; October 18 - 22, 2015 - Henderson, Nevada, S. 206-207