High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Screening of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) in Dust from Homes and Various Microenvironments in South China

Despite their ubiquitous use, information regarding the presence of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) in various microenvironments remains scarce and only a small subset of QACs has been monitored using targeted chemical analysis. In this study, a total of 111 dust samples were collected from homes and various public settings in South China during the COVID-19 pandemic and were analyzed for traditional and emerging QACs using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The total traditional QAC concentrations in residential dust (∑_traditional QAC, sum of 18 traditional QACs) ranged from 13.8 to 150 μg/g with a median concentration of 42.2 μg/g. Twenty-eight emerging QACs were identified in these samples, and the composition of ∑_emerging QAC (sum of emerging QACs) to ∑QAC (sum of traditional and emerging QACs) ranged from 19 to 42% across various microenvironments, indicating the widespread existence of emerging QACs in indoor environments. Additionally, dust samples from cinemas exhibited higher ∑QAC concentrations compared to homes (medians 65.9 μg/g vs 58.3 μg/g, respectively), indicating heavier emission sources of QACs in these places. Interestingly, significantly higher ∑QAC concentrations were observed in dust from the rooms with carpets than those without (medians 65.6 μg/g vs 32.6 μg/g, p < 0.05, respectively). Overall, this study sheds light on the ubiquitous occurrence of QACs in indoor environments in South China.