RSU researchers examine the chemical load hidden in household dust
Chemicals are everywhere these days – not only in manufacturing companies, but also in our homes, food, air, clothing and cosmetics. They are often added for convenience, for example, to extend the shelf life of products, give them a pleasant smell or improve the durability of materials. However, these advantages may also conceal long-term health risks – some of the substances accumulate in the body or affect its systems before we even realise they are there. The body expels some of these substances, but they can have a short-term effect on various organ systems: the endocrine system, fertility, the nervous system, or immunity. Many of these substances are still being studied, including in Latvia. Researchers from a Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) biomonitoring study explain where these substances are found in everyday life, how they can affect health, and what we can do to reduce their undesirable effects.
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Chemicals in everyday life – where are they hiding?
One of the main ways in which chemicals enter the human body is through food. Our plates can contain much more than just nutrients on a daily basis.
An example is acrylamide, which is a substance that forms when potatoes, grain products or coffee are roasted at high temperatures, but is also a potential carcinogen. It cannot be smelled or seen, but its presence in food has been proven.
Similarly, industrially produced foods may contain phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) – plastic components that can migrate from packaging or can linings into food and affect the hormonal system, particularly disrupting the activity of estrogen and androgen, or sex hormones, as well as thyroid hormone balance.
No less important are pesticide residues that remain in fruits, vegetables, or grains after their processing in agriculture. Food sample analyses carried out in Latvia show that most foods contain pesticide residues below the established limits, but it should be noted that these substances are often consumed daily and in various combinations. Limit values are usually set by assessing the effects of individual substances, but in real life, people are exposed to the simultaneous effects of several substances over a long period of time.
Such combined and chronic effects may pose additional risks that are difficult to assess based solely on the concentration of individual substances.
What happens in the human body: what does biomonitoring show?
Although we only see product labels and instructions for use on a daily basis, a much more important question is: what ends up in our bodies? The answer is provided by human biomonitoring – a method that can detect the presence of various chemicals in human blood, urine, or other biological samples. This approach provides a realistic, rather than theoretical, picture of what substances are actually present in the body and in what concentrations.
Biomonitoring data in Latvia has been limited so far, but the situation has been changing in recent years. The HBM4LV study conducted by RSU, which will establish a human biomonitoring program in Latvia, is an important step towards determining the extent to which Latvian residents are exposed to various chemicals. As part of this study, blood and urine samples from adults are analysed, and data on their lifestyle, diet, and household habits, as well as their contact with chemicals, is collected in order to try to identify the sources of specific substances.
Get involved: how to participate in the study and help science
We often hear that "more research is needed," but we are rarely given the opportunity to participate in such studies ourselves. A study is currently underway in Latvia called "Development of a Latvian Human Biomonitoring Program – HBM4LV," which gives every resident the opportunity to become part of an important scientific initiative. This program focuses on assessing the presence of chemicals in the bodies of Latvian residents and provides a basis for better environmental and health policies in the future.
After registering, participants are asked to fill out an informed consent form, a questionnaire about their eating habits, lifestyle habits, and use of various products. They will then be asked to provide blood and urine samples, which will be analysed in certified laboratories to determine the presence of various substances.
In order to obtain a representative sample for the study, it is important that participants represent different genders, age groups, and regions of Latvia. Currently, women from large cities are most actively involved in the study, but there is a lack of men aged 19 to 39 and those living outside Riga. The participation of these groups is essential for the results to more accurately reflect the situation throughout Latvia.
Participation in the study is anonymous and secure. Each participant has the opportunity to learn about their exposure to chemicals – for example, whether pesticide residues, PFAS, heavy metals, phthalates or other substances have been detected in their body. In addition, this data helps researchers understand the bigger picture – how the presence of substances is related to dietary habits, place of residence, age or gender.
Read the full article for free in Latvian on the LSM portal
