Wooden toys are considered durable and particularly valuable for children in educational terms. The beautiful wooden parts are often placed in the hands and mouth during play. They should therefore be safe and free from pollutants. However, the material and workmanship can be a cause for concern due to possible exposure to harmful substances.
PAHS
Wax candles during the Advent season – fine dust
The Advent season is associated with the warm, cozy candlelight of wax candles, which spreads a contemplative mood.
Adhesives containing PAHs in old parquet floors
Pollutants from PAHs-containing adhesives in parquet flooring can be released into the indoor air through wear and tear or during parquet work and settle in house dust. PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are carcinogenic pollutants that are particularly dangerous to health. Parquet floors are considered to be allergy-friendly, as they are generally easy to clean and do not absorb dust. New parquet floors are no longer laid with adhesives containing PAHs, but with substitutes that are harmless to health.
Kale – bioindicator for pollutants
Kale is considered a superfood and is a bioindicator for air pollutants and contaminated soils. Active biomonitoring, with biologically standardized measurement methods, can be used to determine and assess the effects of air pollution and other stresses on the environment and humans.
PAHs – Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
PAHs – Definition
PAHs – (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) is a collective term for a group of substances consisting of organic components.
These consist of two or more (up to seven) benzene rings bonded together, which is why they are also referred to as condensed ring systems. The ring-shaped hydrocarbons often have additional substituents (frequently methyl groups) or derivatives (oxygen or nitrogen).