Levels and neurodevelopmental effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in settled house dust of urban dwellings on preschool–aged children in Nanjing, China

Abstract This study investigated levels and possible determinants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in settled house dust of urban dwellings with preschool–aged children in Nanjing, China. The possible neurodevelopmental effects of house–dust PAHs on the children were also investigated. Settled house dust was collected from 203 urban houses. Fifteen PAHs were measured using an HPLC with a fluorescence detector and wavelength programming. The Child Behavior Checklist and the Gesell Development Inventory were used to evaluate the overall development of the children. PAHs were detected in settled house dust of >90% of houses, where high molecular weight PAHs predominated. Most PAHs with two or three rings were found at significantly higher levels in indoor compared with outdoor dust. PAH isomeric ratios showed that PAHs with four or more rings might be derived from outdoor coal burning sources. Naphthalene was found at lower concentrations in houses with more hours of natural ventilation, while pyrene, chrysene (Chr) and benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF) were present at higher concentrations in these houses. A higher floor level correlated with lower levels of PAHs, especially those with four or more rings, while older houses had higher PAH levels. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and indeno[1,2,3–cd]pyrene levels were positively associated with most behavioral problem scores. Higher BaP and benzo[g,h,i]perylene levels showed lower Gesell language development quotient (DQs), and higher Chr and BkF were associated with lower Gesell social skill DQs. In conclusion, 15 PAHs are ubiquitous in urban settled house dust, where outdoor coal burning and indoor cooking oil fumes are the two main sources of PAHs in Nanjing, China. Natural ventilation, floor level and residence age potentially influence house dust PAH levels. The potential adverse effect of postnatal exposure to PAHs on the behavior and neurodevelopment of preschool–aged children requires follow up in larger studies.