Estimation of indoor soil/dust-skin adherence factors and health risks for adults and children in two typical cities in southern China

Soil/dust (SD) skin adherence is key dermal exposure parameter used for calculating the health risk of dermal exposure to contaminants. However, few studies of this parameter have been conducted in Chinese populations. In this study, forearm SD samples were randomly collected using the wipe method from population in two typical cities in southern China as well as office staff in a fixed indoor environment. SD samples from the corresponding areas were also sampled. The wipes and SD were analyzed for tracer elements (aluminum, barium, manganese, titanium, and vanadium). The SD-skin adherence factors were 14.31 μg/cm2 for adults in Changzhou, 7.25 μg/cm2 for adults in Shantou, and 9.37 μg/cm2 for children in Shantou, respectively. Further, the recommended values for indoor SD-skin adherence factors for adults and children in Southern China were calculated to be 11.50 μg/cm2 and 9.37 μg/cm2, respectively, which were lower than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommended values. And the SD-skin adherence factor value for the office staff was small (1.79 μg/cm2), but the data were more stable. In addition, PBDEs and PCBs in dust samples from industrial and residential area in Shantou were also determined, and health risks were assessed using the dermal exposure parameters measured in this study. None of the organic pollutants posed a health risk to adults and children via dermal contact. These studies emphasized the importance of localized dermal exposure parameters, and further studies should be conducted in the future.