Evaluating predictors of chemical exposures in offices world-wide using silicone wristbands

Principal Investigator: Dr. Anna Young, Research Associate in the Department of Environmental Health at Harvard University and Dr. Joseph G. Allen, Associate Professor of Exposure Assessment Science Environmental Health, Harvard University.

Silicone Bracelet for sVOC sampling

Project objective: To assess and evaluate the chemical contaminant exposures of office workers in urban office buildings in the USA, UK, China, and India. The researchers aimed to understand the levels of exposure to various harmful chemicals present in the indoor environment of these buildings.

Project’s alignment with the Hoffman Program on Chemicals and Health mission: By studying the chemical contaminant exposures of office workers in urban office buildings, this project provides valuable insights into the levels of exposure to various harmful chemicals present in indoor environments. These insights can help identify potential risks and understand the impact of these exposures on worker health.

Some key takeaways:

  • Country Differences: Significant variations in chemical exposures among office workers in different countries, influenced by regulations and use patterns. For example, higher pesticide exposures in India, higher flame-retardant exposures in the USA and UK, and higher PAH exposures in China and India due to outdoor air pollution.
  • Legacy Chemical Exposures: Office workers still exposed to chemicals like PCBs, PBDEs, and pesticides, even after bans or phase-outs.
  • Unintentional consequence: Exposures to PCBs continue well after their use in building produces/materials was prohibited. These semi-volatile compounds are released slowly and can be present in indoor air for years.
  • Some phased out chemicals are replaced with other compounds (i.e. novel flame retardants, organophosphate esters) without adequate exposure assessment or toxicological evaluation.
  • Individual Factors: Exposures influenced by personal care product use, country restrictions, and building materials, in addition to country and building characteristics.

To reduce chemical exposures effectively, it is crucial to prioritize addressing entire chemical groups, not just individual chemicals; opt for non-chemical solutions whenever possible; ensure the safety of substitute chemicals; and choose healthier materials.  See Green Science Policy Institute  https://greensciencepolicy.org/

Products resulting from Hoffman Program on Chemicals and Health support: Young AS, Herkert N, Stapleton HM, Coull BA, Hauser R, Zoeller T, Behnisch PA, Felzel E, Brouwer A, Allen JG. Hormone receptor activities of complex mixtures of known and suspect chemicals in personal silicone wristband samplers worn in office buildings. Chemosphere. 2023 Feb;315:137705. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137705. Epub 2022 Dec 30. PMID: 36592838; PMCID: PMC9937064.

Young AS, Herkert N, Stapleton HM, Cedeño Laurent JG, Jones ER, MacNaughton P, Coull BA, James-Todd T, Hauser R, Luna ML, Chung YS, Allen JG. Chemical contaminant exposures assessed using silicone wristbands among occupants in office buildings in the USA, UK, China, and India. Environ Int. 2021 Nov;156:106727. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106727. Epub 2021 Jul 19. PMID: 34425641; PMCID: PMC8409466.