The air is polluted outside, but is not healthier inside French homes. It would contain toxic semi-volatile organic compounds (COSV) suspected of being responsible for disorders of the hormonal, nervous and reproductive systems (fertility, malformations, cancers).
The OQAI conducted a two-year study on a sample of more than 400 homes to analyze the composition of air and dust in homes. They broke down the contents of vacuum bag samples to list toxic compounds in homes. These COSVs come from objects containing plastics (floor coverings, computers, cables, furniture, textiles, etc.), cleaning products (laundry, detergents) and cosmetics (perfumes, personal hygiene), insecticides ( treatment of plants, anti-parasitic for animals) or of combustion residues (tobacco, incense, wood heating).
Phthalates present in almost every home
The results of the study revealed that in the dust on the ground, 32 compounds of the 48 substances sought were detected in the majority of homes (67%).
And, that in the air, 35 of the 66 substances sought were present in more than half of the homes (53%).
“Some of these semi-volatile organic compounds, in particular phthalates (flexible plastics) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (combustion residues), are detected in almost all homes, both in the air and in the dust,” explains in its OQAI report. By comparing the results of French dwellings with those of other countries, the Observatory observed a higher concentration of bisphenol A in France.
“While the entire population is confronted with these chemical substances, which are also present in offices and public places, young children, who frequently put their hands to their mouths, are particularly exposed to them,” recalls the OQAI. To assess children’s daily contact with toxic products, a similar study is underway in schools.
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