Which contaminants attach to airborne dust particles and surfaces?

• A. CO
• B. VOCs
• C. SVOCs
• D. Radon

Answer: (C)

Contaminants that attach to airborne dust particles and surfaces are those with semi-volatile properties. Semi-volatile organic compounds exist partly in the air and partly on surfaces, so they readily partition onto dust and indoor materials. This leads to accumulation on dust and furniture and can also cause re-release into the air when conditions such as temperature or humidity change. Examples include flame retardants, phthalates, PCBs, and some pesticides. In contrast, carbon monoxide and radon are gases that remain primarily in the air, and very volatile VOCs stay mostly in the gas phase rather than sticking to dust as readily as SVOCs. So the contaminant class that best fits attaching to dust and surfaces is semi-volatile organic compounds.