Indoor Air Quality and Volatile Organic Compounds Exposure from Household Chemicals: A Comparative Study in Iraqi Homes
1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.
2 Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.
3 Department of Chemistry, College of Science, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Chemistry and Pharmacy, 2025, 07(02), 037-044.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjcp.2025.7.2.0021
Publication history:
Received on 03 November 2025; revised on 14 December 2025; accepted on 17 December 2025
Abstract:
Background: Growing evidence shows that household cleaning products, especially those containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), represent a major source of indoor air contamination. These chemicals may also contribute to oxidative imbalance and heightened inflammatory responses, particularly among women who spend extended periods inside their homes. Objective: This study set out to examine how indoor air quality is influenced by household chemical use and to assess the impact of this exposure on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in women residing in Kirkuk. Methods: A total of 120 housewives from Kirkuk were enrolled in a comparative cross- sectional study , divided evenly into an exposed group (n= 60) and a control group (n=60) . Air samples were taken from each home and analyzed using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry to quantify (VOC) levrls. Result: Participants in the high -exposure group reported significantly greater use of household products ( (13.7 ± 3.9 vs 2.1 ± 0.8) products/day, p<0.001) and presented with notably elevated indoor (VOC) concentrations. Average formaldehyde levels reached (231.7 ± 65.4) μg/ m³ in high – exposure homes, compared with (89.4 ± 28.1) μg/m³ in the control group (p<0.001, Cohen's d=2.78), exceeding WHO limits by more than double. Benzene concentrations followed the same pattern ((17.1 ± 4.7 vs 6.2 ± 2.4) μg/m³, p<0.001, d=2.89), alongside similar increases in toluene, xylene, and other VOCs. Biological analyses revealed clear alterations in oxidative stress and inflammatory indicators- findings that align with our ealier work identifying oxidative disruption as a key factor in disease development. Conclusion: Heavy reliance on household cleaning products was found to significantly compromise indoor air quality, produsing VOC concentrations that surpass established international safety limits. These results highlight the immediate need to promoter better ventilation practices, encourage the use of safer product alternatives, and implement targeted public health measures. The associated biological effects are explored in detail in our companion study.
Keywords:
Formaldehyde; Oxidative stress; Indoor air quality; Home chemicals
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