Emissions from indoor dust inhibit proliferation of A549 cells and TNFalpha release from stimulated PBMCs.

Dust accumulating on hot indoor surfaces, e.g., heaters and light fixtures, are likely to emit chemicals when heated.

Emissions from heated indoor dust.

Settled indoor dust was collected from a university building, and the fine fraction was heated in the temperature range of 50-250 degrees C. Emissions of compounds were analysed and identified in a system consisting of a thermal desorption unit coupled to a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The heating took place in both an oxidative (air) and an inert (He) atmosphere.