Profiledistribution and health risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in indoor dust from urban households in Uganda, East Africa
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-31T08:44:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-31T08:44:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-02-03 | |
| dc.description | By identifying exposure pathways and highlighting the need for continuous monitoring of emerging contaminants, the research supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through protection from hazardous chemicals, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting safer management of chemicals and materials, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through improved environmental health in homes. The findings also align with the priorities of Uganda National Development Plan IV, particularly those focused on environmental sustainability, public health protection, strengthened research capacity, and evidence-based regulation of hazardous substances to safeguard population wellbeing. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination of various environmental compartments continues to attract scrutiny due to their persistence, bioaccumulation and toxicity, following their widespread application over the years as surfactants and stain repellents. Studies have indicated that environments, including dust, may serve as sources of human exposure. However, little is known about the prevalence of PFAS and their associated health risks in indoor environments from the sub-Saharan African countries, including Uganda. Herein, we collected samples of indoor household dust from the floors of residential houses (n = 43) in Kampala, Uganda, to assess the levels and associated health risks of PFAS to the exposed humans. Of the 11 targeted PFAS, only 8 were detected in the collected samples. The mean level of ∑8PFAS in household dust was 427 ng/g, with a maximum concentration of 2850 ng/g. 10:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (10:2 FTOH), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) predominated among the neutral and ionic PFAS, respectively. Source apportionment revealed food packaging, semiconductor materials and textiles as the major sources. The calculated hazard quotients (HQs) due to exposure to PFAS, and their sums (∑HQs) in our study for both adults and toddlers, were all less than 1, suggesting negligible non-carcinogenic risk. Despite the low estimated exposure via dust ingestion and dermal contact, compound-specific toxicological profiles of PFAS, their potential for interactive effects, and the presence of additional exposure routes underscore the urgency of regularly investigating indoor PFAS-related health risks. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | This study was supported by the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research under project 249-Environmental Chemistry for Sustainable Development (ECSDevelop); European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) for project EIRENE (Grant No. 101079789); Slovak Research and Development Agency (Grant No. APVV-21-0178); Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (Grant No. RIF/080/22, MAKRIF/CH/01/21, MAKRIF/CH/02/21); and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Grant No. UGA-1185413-GF-E). | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Muhwezi, G., Gumula, I., Kyarimpa, C., Odongo, S., Matsiko, J., Matovu, H., ... & Ssebugere, P. (2026). Profile Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Indoor Dust from Urban Households in Uganda, East Africa. Emerging Contaminants, 100636. | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2405-6642 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/951 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Elsevier | |
| dc.subject | PFAS | |
| dc.subject | Household dust | |
| dc.subject | Source apportionment | |
| dc.subject | Human exposure | |
| dc.subject | Uganda | |
| dc.title | Profiledistribution and health risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in indoor dust from urban households in Uganda, East Africa | |
| dc.type | Article |