Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a byproduct of combustion processes. They are common pollutants in oil-producing countries because fossil fuel processing generates PAHs that associate with dust. Airborne particles containing PAHs are transported into houses during dust storms, which are common in the arid oil-producing countries, and consequently the children and adults in the household are exposed to PAHs in indoor house dust. The goal of this study was to present a systematic survey of PAHs in indoor house dust in Kuwait. The PAHs concentrations and composition of indoor house dust was determined, along with their probable source and the potential carcinogenic risks. Total PAHs concentrations (ƩPAH) were, on average (±standard deviation) 1112 ± 347 μg/kg and ranged from 450 to 2242 μg/kg. Heavier congeners (4–6 ring PAHs) represented 61% of the ƩPAH. Petroleum combustion and traffic emissions were the major source of PAHs, based on the isomeric ratios of PAHs in indoor house dust. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) of exposure to PAHs in indoor house dust was 2.23 × 10⁻³ (95% CI: 1.99 × 10⁻³ – 2.48 × 10⁻³) for children and 2.15 × 10⁻³ (95% CI: 1.94 × 10⁻³ – 2.37 × 10⁻³) for adults, exceeding the US EPA safe limit of 1 × 10⁻⁶. Therefore, exposure to PAHs present in indoor house dust increases the cancer risk for children and adults in Kuwait.

多环芳烃（PAH）是燃烧过程的副产物。它们是石油生产国的常见污染物，因为化石燃料加工过程中会产生与粉尘相关的多环芳烃。在沙尘暴期间，含有PAHs的空气传播颗粒被运入房屋，这在干旱的产油国很常见，因此，家庭中的儿童和成人都暴露在室内房屋尘土中的PAHs中。这项研究的目的是对科威特室内灰尘中的多环芳烃进行系统的调查。确定了室内房屋灰尘中PAHs的浓度和组成，以及其可能的来源和潜在的致癌风险。总PAHs浓度（ƩPAH）平均为（±标准偏差）1112±347μg/ kg，范围为450至2242μg/ kg。较重的同类物（4-6个环PAH）占representedPAH的61％。根据室内灰尘中多环芳烃的异构比，石油燃烧和交通排放是多环芳烃的主要来源。暴露于室内灰尘中PAH的终生终生癌症风险（ILCR）为2.23×10^-3（95％CI：1.99×10 ^-3 - 2.48×10 ^-3），用于儿童和2.15×10 ^-3（95％CI：1.94×10 ^-3 - 2.37×10 ^-3）为成人，超过了美国EPA安全极限为1×10 ^-6。因此，暴露在室内灰尘中存在的多环芳烃增加了科威特儿童和成人患癌症的风险。