Did you know that our indoor spaces are bustling with an invisible chemical world? A recent study by Alexander Aksenov, a UConn’s Department of Chemistry researcher, delves into this fascinating realm. Collaborating with experts from the University of California, San Diego, Colorado State University, and the University of Colorado, Aksenov’s team has uncovered surprising insights into our homes’ molecular and microbial environment.
The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that our indoor spaces are not just physical structures but complex ecosystems influenced by our daily activities. The research was conducted in a model home in Austin, Texas, called HOMEChem (House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry). Here, volunteers performed everyday tasks, allowing the team to observe how human presence transforms the microbial landscape.
Before human occupation, the indoor microbiome closely resembled the outdoor environment, dominated by microbes typically found in soil and water. However, within a month of human habitation, this changed dramatically. The indoor microbiome shifted to include species commonly found on human skin and the gut.
One of the most striking findings was the significant impact of coffee. Despite not being a part of the scheduled activities, coffee-related molecules were prevalent throughout the house. These molecules, some altered by microbes, originated from the coffee machine and spread across the home through human activity.
The study also highlighted the diversity of chemicals in our homes, influenced by factors like diet and lifestyle. For instance, capsaicin, the compound that gives peppers their heat, was found even in a thoroughly cleaned house, suggesting a lingering molecular history of previous occupants.
Moreover, the research provided insights into the health of the volunteers, with evidence of medications like antidepressants and painkillers present in the environment. This points to a deeper connection between our health and our indoor spaces.
This groundbreaking research, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, is just the beginning. It opens up new questions about how we can positively influence the ‘chemical soup’ of our homes for better health and well-being. It underscores the intricate interplay between humans, our environment, and the unseen microbial world, highlighting the need for further exploration in this fascinating field.
Initially, the article was posted in UConn today on |
Link to the original article: https://today.uconn.edu/2022/07/home-sweet-home-a-study-of-the-chemical-soup-in-our-houses/