Beware the Office Air

Polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are chemicals that are used in water-repellent coatings on carpet and furniture.  Potential sources of exposure include food, water, indoor air, indoor dust and direct contact with PFC-containing objects, and now a study by Boston University (Massachusetts, USA) researchers uncovers a link between levels in indoor office air and blood levels of PFCs.  Studying 31 office workers in Boston, Michael D. McClean and colleagues found concentrations of a PFC called fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) in office air that were 3-5 times higher than those reported in previous studies of household air, "suggesting that offices may represent a unique and important exposure environment." In addition, the study found a strong link between concentrations of FTOH in office air and perfluorooctanoic acid (a metabolite of FTOH) in the blood of office workers. The results also suggested that workers in newly renovated office buildings may receive considerably higher doses of PFCs than workers in older buildings.  Observing that the highest levels [of FTOH were] observed in a newly constructed building,” the study authors  warn that: “Variation in PFC air concentrations by building is likely due to differences in the number, type, and age of potential sources such as carpeting, furniture, and/or paint.”