Assisted Living Workers, Residents Exposed to Chemicals with Respiratory Effects

Residents and workers in assisted living facilities are exposed to higher-than-average amounts of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), according to a new study published in Environmental Science & Technology. 

“QACs are used widely in disinfecting products,” says Amina Salamova, PhD, the study’s lead author. “We use them in homes a lot, but they're used even more in places like senior care facilities, daycares, and food courts. There is also more and more data coming out showing that these chemicals can have negative health effects.”

Previous studies have tied QACs to higher risk of asthma and other respiratory problems, as well as skin irritation, inflammation, and more.

What They Found

In this study, researchers collected indoor air and dust samples in residents’ rooms in three assisted living facilities. They also had both workers and residents wear wristbands to assess personal exposure to QACs throughout the day.

They found:

• There were higher levels of QACs in the air and dust in assisted living facilities than we typically find in homes.
• Staff were exposed to significantly more QACs than residents, especially for QAC types most commonly used in disinfecting products.
• Based on QAC patterns found in this study and the researchers’ previous work, disinfecting products could be the most significant source of QAC exposure in assisted living facilities.

Why This Matters

“This is a widespread exposure in facilities that serves vulnerable population, and respiratory effects are one of the main health problems we commonly see in older adults,” says Salamova. 

She adds, “We also see higher exposures in staff. We think that is related to higher use of disinfecting products in these places, and staff has direct contact with the products. We don't know which particular products they're using, but we know that staff are handling more disinfecting products.”