Does Using Corsi–Rosenthal Boxes to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission Also Reduce Indoor Air Concentrations of PFAS and Phthalates?

By Robin E. Dodson, Katherine E. Manz, Shaunessey R. Burks, Richa Gairola, Nina F. Lee, Yun Liu, Kurt D. Pennell, Erica D. Walker, and Joseph M. Braun
ES&T
December 23, 2022
DOI: Environmental Science & Technology

The COVID-19 pandemic brought new emphasis on indoor air quality. However, few studies have investigated the impact of air filtration, a COVID-mitigation approach, on indoor air concentrations of semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Using a quasi-experimental design, we quantified the impact of a relatively low-cost “do-it-yourself” air filter (Corsi–Rosenthal Box; CR Box) on indoor air concentrations of 42 PFAS and 24 other SVOCs. We sampled air before (October–November 2021) and during (February–March 2022) deployment of CR Boxes in 17 rooms located in an occupied Providence, Rhode Island office building. We measured sound levels in rooms with CR Boxes operating and not operating. While CR Boxes were deployed, concentrations of seven PFAS (N-EtFOSE, N-EtFOSA, FBSA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFNA) were 28–61% lower and concentrations of five phthalates (DMP, DEP, DiBP, BBzP, DCHP) were 29–62% lower. Concentrations of five PFAS and one phthalate increased 23–44% during the intervention period, but the 95% CI of most of these estimates included the null. Daytime sound levels increased 5.0 dB when CR Boxes were operating. These results indicate that CR Boxes reduced exposure to several lower-volatility phthalates and sulfonated PFAS previously reported to be found in office building materials and products, with potentially distracting increases in sound levels.

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