2026-03-312026-03-312026-01-29Muhwezi, G., Kyarimpa, C., Gumula, I., Odongo, S., Matovu, H., Matsiko, J., ... & Ssebugere, P. (2026). Exposure of urban population to organophosphate esters and novel brominated flame retardants via indoor dust: Occurrence, sources and health risks in Uganda, East Africa. Emerging Contaminants, 100634.2405-6642https://dir.muni.ac.ug/handle/20.500.12260/950The study highlights how improved evidence on health conditions, risk factors, or service delivery contributes to better policy and practice in addressing public health challenges in Uganda. By generating data that informs prevention strategies, resource allocation, and targeted interventions, the research supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through strengthening disease prevention and management, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by improving health outcomes among vulnerable populations, and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the use of scientific methods to guide health innovation and service delivery improvements. The findings align with the priorities of Uganda National Development Plan IV, particularly those focused on strengthening the health system, improving human capital development, promoting evidence-based planning, and enhancing national productivity through a healthier population.Indoor environments are critical exposure pathways to flame retardants, yet data from Africa remain scarce. This study provides the first quantitative assessment of organophosphate esters (OPEs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in indoor dust from Ugandan households, establishing baseline data for East Africa. Dust samples collected from homes in Kampala were analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Concentrations of total OPEs (Σ5OPEs) and total NBFRs (Σ4NBFRs) ranged from 1520 to 102,000 ng g−1 and 214 to 6600 ng g−1, respectively. Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and 2,4,6-tribromophenyl allyl ether (TBP-AE) dominated OPE and NBFR profiles, respectively. Chlorinated OPEs contributed most to ΣOPEs, reflecting emissions from building materials and consumer products. Principal component analysis indicated household items, electrical equipment, and floor finishes as the major emission sources. Estimated human exposure doses showed that ingestion was the dominant route, with children more exposed than adults. Hazard index (HI) values were below 1 for all compounds, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic risk. Carcinogenic risk (CR) values ranged from 10−6 to 10−12, suggesting minimal lifetime cancer risks, though children exhibited relatively higher vulnerability. Compared with global datasets, OPE and NBFR levels in Kampala were within lower-to-median range but represent the inaugural dataset for sub-Saharan Africa. These findings provide a crucial regional reference for indoor flame-retardant exposure and highlight the need for extended studies across multiple indoor microenvironments to evaluate the long-term exposure pathways and inform safer chemical management.enOPEsNBFRsHousehold dustPrincipal component analysisHealth risk assessmentArticle