[Background]Public places are important areas for daily human activities.Frequent contact with public items promotes their role as vehicles for microbial spread,creating a substantial risk for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. [Objective]To understand the hygiene status and influencing factors of public items in typical public places in Shanghai from 2010 to 2024,and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing the hygiene management of public items. [Methods]Based on the monitoring data of public items in public places in Shanghai from 2010 to 2024,the hygiene status was evaluated in three stages:2010-2019,2020-2022,and 2023-2024.Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the impact of factors such as monitoring stages,public place types,and public item categories on the hygiene status. [Results]The public items in 13 807 public places were monitored.A total of 1 022 bed sheets and 9 271 towels were tested for pH value,with qualified rates of 77.66%and 87.81%,respectively.The OR(95%CI)for the pH compliance of towels relative to bed sheets was 1.77(1.45,2.15).Compared with bathing places,the ORs for pH compliance of towels in hair salons and beauty salons were 2.24(1.75,2.87)and 2.15(1.57,2.95),respectively.Additionally,a total of 221 650 samples from various public items were tested for microorganisms,yielding 215 554 qualified samples,with an average qualified rate of 97.25%.The qualified rates for total bacterial count,total fungal count,coliforms,and Staphylococcus aureus were 92.66%,94.63%,98.85%,and 99.84%,respectively.The logistic regression analysis showed that,compared to the 2016-2019 baseline,no statistically significant differences were observed in the qualified rates of total fungal count across different stages;however,significantly higher qualified rates for total bacterial count,total fungal count,coliforms,and Staphylococcus aureus were recorded during 2020-2022,with ORs(95%CI)of 1.27(1.16,1.38),23.20(8.42,63.94),and 12.08(1.63,89.92),respectively. [Conclusion]The pH compliance ranks among the top tier nationwide for cotton textile goods in Shanghai,suggesting minimal detergent retention.Furthermore,continuous improvement in cleaning and disinfection measurements has markedly enhanced the microbial hygiene of public items in public places.

PURPOSE:The aim of this work was to develop an online dose monitoring device that can be applied to both conventional radiation therapy (RT) and ultrahigh dose rate RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS:Thick Gas Electron Multiplier (THGEM) technology, with its uniform microstructure characteristics, emerges as an ideal solution to these challenges. This study introduces an innovative approach by covering both THGEM electrodes with Mylar conductive films, creating independent microionization chambers in each microhole that effectively reduce charge density issues in high dose rate environments. RESULTS:Experimental results demonstrate that the developed THGEM-based air ionization chamber (THGEM-ADIC) exhibits nearly identical linear response to the standard PTW Farmer 30013 ionization chamber over a dose range of 1-100 Gy in conventional RT settings, with dose deviations within ±3% and a stable operational plateau of approximately 400 V. Accuracy at clinical single-field doses typical of intensity modulated RT or fractionated treatments remains to be investigated. More importantly, benefiting from its unique microstructure design, THGEM-ADIC has rapid signal response, enabling direct measurement of FLASH radiation therapy accelerator macro-pulse structures. In ultrahigh dose rate (UHDR) working environments, the detector maintains an operational plateau of about 200 V and demonstrates a dose response with linearity exceeding 99% compared with EBT3 film dosimetry measurements, even at extreme dose rates up to 250 Gy/s. However, a dose rate dependence was observed between 50 and 250 Gy/s under UHDR conditions, which should be taken into account for accurate dosimetry at UHDRs. CONCLUSIONS:Collectively, these results indicate that THGEM-ADIC, with its microstructure design and rapid response capabilities, not only provides measurement accuracy consistent with traditional ionization chambers in conventional RT but also enables precise dose monitoring under UHDR FLASH radiation therapy conditions, offering an important dosimetric tool for the clinical translation of FLASH-RT technology.

[Background]As common public facilities essential to daily life,hair and beauty salons frequently contain various airborne toxic and hazardous pollutants potentially leading to adverse health ef-fects for salon practitioners. [Objective]To characterize the indoor air pollution profiles of common contaminants in hair and beauty salons in Shanghai and to evaluate the associated health risks for practitioners,in order to provide a scientific basis for strengthening the public health management in Shanghai and protecting the health of practitioners. [Methods]The air quality monitoring data of hair and beauty salons in Shanghai from 2016 to 2024 were obtained from the"Health Hazard Factors Monitoring Program for Public Places"of the National Institute of Environmental Health,Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Monitoring indicators included particulate matter≤10 μm in aerodynamic diameter(PM10),particulate matter≤2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter(PM2.5),formaldehyde,ammonia,benzene,toluene,and xylene.Indicator compliance rates were calculated across various years in accordance with GB 9666-1996 Hygienic standard for barber shop and beauty shop and GB 37488-2019 Hygiene indicators and limit for public places;specifically,PM2.5 was assessed against the limits stipulated in GB/T 18883-2022 Standards for indoor air quality.A questionnaire survey was conducted among salon practitioners to collect weekly working days and daily working hours.The non-carcinogenic risks associated with inhalation exposure to formaldehyde,ammonia,benzene,toluene,and xylene as well as the car-cinogenic risks posed by formaldehyde and benzene were evaluated following WS/T 777-2021 Technical guide for environmental health risk assessment of chemical exposure and the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency inhalation risk model. [Results]The overall compliance rates of PM10,formaldehyde,ammonia,benzene,and toluene in the air of hair and beauty salons in Shanghai from 2016 to 2024 were 92.13%,96.59%,96.15%,94.93%,and 94.97%,respectively;the overall compliance rate of xylene was a little lower(85.92%),and the overall compliance rate of PM2.5 was 57.18%.The P50 concentrations of PM10,PM2.5,formaldehyde,am-monia,benzene,toluene,and xylene did not exceed the corresponding limits.The P50 of non-carcinogenic risk indicator(hazard quotient,HQ)for formaldehyde,ammonia,benzene,toluene,and xylene were<1.The probabilities of non-carcinogenic risk HQ>1 for formaldehyde and xylene were 41.4%and 10.9%,respectively,which were higher than that of other pollutants.The P50 of carcinogenic risk(CR)for formaldehyde and benzene were between 1.0×10-6 and 1.0×10-4,while the probabilities of CR>1.0×10-4 were 16.9%and 14.0%,respec-tively. [Conclusion]The overall compliance rate of common pollutant concentrations in the air of hair and beauty salons in Shanghai is high,and the hygienic condition meets the requirements of national standards.The non-carcinogenic health risks posed by formaldehyde and xylene to employees(with formaldehyde being more prominent),as well as the carcinogenic risks associated with formaldehyde and benzene,deserve heightened attention in future health supervision.

What is already known about this topic?:Indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, but previous studies in China have mainly focused on urban areas, with limited data from rural areas. What is added by this report?:A survey of 20 cities from 2023-2025 shows that median indoor radon concentrations in rural areas (72 Bq/m3) are higher than in urban areas (65 Bq/m3). Higher levels are also associated with northern regions, low floor levels, brick-wood structures, and energy-efficient buildings. What are the implications for public health practice?:It is recommended to control radon release from building materials at the source, improve ventilation, seal cracks in walls and floors, and pay attention to rural and cold climate regions.

Objective: Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), typical indoor pollutants, show as both environmentally persistent and bioaccumulation. Investigating their distribution in household dust (HD-OPFRs) and associated health risks is scientifically important for public health protection and evidence-based indoor environmental management. Methods: After systematic evaluation of 1,180 documents, data of 1,888 HD-OPFRs samples from 37 studies conducted in 22 countries were collected from 2007 to 2024. The sample-weighted concentrations were recalculated from raw data including mean and sample size reported in each qualified paper. The pollution characteristics and spatio-temporal distribution covering nations were explored using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests. Exploratory factor analysis and Spearman correlation analysis were used to investigate the common sources, while the hazard index and carcinogenic risk were evaluated for exposure pathways and health risks. Results: The average global sample-weighted concentration of HD-OPFRs was first reported as 32,842.53 ng/g with an average concentration range of 189.15 ng/g to 193,962.5 ng/g, while chloride OPFRs were the main conger (1,350.00 ng/g). According to the temporal distribution data, the highest concentrations of HD-OPFRs (81,135.14 ng/g) were recorded between 2007 and 2011. Household items may be the main source of HD-OPFRs, and policy implementation and economic growth will have an effect. The primary route of exposure was through the skin (adults: 8.47 x 10-4 mg/kg bw/day; children: 5.06E x 10-3 mg/kg bw/day), and the carcinogenic risks of TCEP, TNBP, and TEHP exceed the acceptable level under high-exposure scenarios. Conclusion: HD-OPFRs concentrations are relatively high in many nations, and their distribution patterns are influenced by household products, the economy, and regulations. Enough attention must also be paid to the health risks they represent to people in future.

Household dust is a major reservoir for indoor pollutants, yet its epigenetic effects remain poorly characterized. This study investigated household airborne dust's total DNA demethylation potential (TDP) and its association with 14 priority polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in 43 residences across Lanzhou, Suzhou, and Harbin. The median TDP (5-AZA-CdR equivalent) was 0.016 (range: 0-1.006), while the median Σ14PBDEs concentration was 2085.73 ng/g (range: 64.51-26,746.47 ng/g), with BDE-209 dominating (>90 %). Exploratory factor analysis identified three principal components explaining 80.59 % of the variance, with PBDE levels significantly influenced by socioeconomic status, building materials, household products, and occupant behaviors (P < 0.05). Linear regression models revealed significant negative associations between TDP and BDE-153 (β = -0.020; 95 % CI: -0.035 to -0.005, β = -0.003; 95 % CI = -0.045 to -0.016), BDE-183 (β = -0.003; 95 % CI: -0.006 to -0.001), BDE-209 (β = -0.000; 95 % CI: -0.000 to -0.000), and Factor 2-derived congeners (β = -0.389; 95 % CI = -0.626 to -0.152, β = -0.389; 95 % CI = -0.616 to -0.162). In contrast, BDE-66 exhibited a positive association (β = 0.052; 95 % CI: 0.022 to 0.082). The findings suggest that household dust and its PBDE components may pose epigenetic health risks through DNA demethylation alterations.

Residential fine particulate matter (PM2.5) poses a substantial health hazard, yet disparities across urban and peri-urban areas remain unclear in China due to the absence of systematic monitoring data. Key knowledge gaps persist regarding the characteristics, influencing factors, and health burdens of residential PM2.5 pollution, particularly in peri-urban regions. Between 2018 and 2019, 746 urban and 339 peri-urban households in 15 typical Chinese cities were randomly selected through the Chinese Indoor Environment and Health Surveillance Project (CIEHS). The relationships between influencing factors and residential PM2.5 were assessed using a general linear model (GLM), and factors importance was identified using the Boruta algorithm with 10-fold cross-validation and 100 replications. Disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) attributable to the residential PM2.5 were estimated using the population-attributable fraction method. The mean residential PM2.5 concentration was 62.2 μg/m3, with higher levels in peri-urban (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.0705 95 % Confidence interval [95 % CI]: 1.0615, 1.0795) and during cold seasons (OR = 1.3499 95 %CI: 1.3388, 1.3610). Environmental factors, building conditions, family-related information, and lifestyle behaviors were all associated with residential PM2.5, notably, with the five most influential factors remaining consistent across urban and peri-urban areas. The mean DALY rate was 2160 per 100,000 in urban areas, slightly higher at 2186 per 100,000 in peri-urban areas. According to China's seventh national census, residential PM2.5 exposure accounted for 19.48 million urban and 11.14 million peri-urban DALYs nationally. These findings underscore the urgency for differentiated environmental management and targeted mitigation policies to address the disproportionate health burden in peri-urban areas.

Background Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are one of the most common flame retardants in household products. Given their broad-spectrum toxicity, monitoring PBDE levels in indoor environments and assessing their potential health risks are critical for residential health risk management. Methods Based on published literature data from 2010 to 2022, the concrete raw data regarding the concentration of PBDEs in actual dust samples from true household living conditions in China were collected exhaustively from 26 peer-reviewed papers after screening. Congeners with detection rates exceeding 80 % (BDE-28, −47, −99, −100, −153, −154, −183, −209) were selected for further analysis. Household dust PBDE levels were quantified using the weighted average concentration. Seasonal and regional variations were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests, while Spearman correlation analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were applied for source apportionment. Health risks to children were assessed based on estimated daily intake (EDI) via ingestion and dermal absorption, using hazard indices (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR) models. Results The concentrations of PBDEs in household dust (HD-PBDEs)22HD-PBDEs: polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in household dust. in China ranged from 4.03 ng/g to 37333.58 ng/g, with a weighted average concentration of 3625.43 ng/g. The weighted average concentration was maximum in Zhejiang (27268.66 ng/g) and lowest in Shaanxi (4.03 ng/g). BDE-209 was the predominant congener of HD-PBDEs, ranging from 73.56 % to 99.78 %, followed by BDE-47 (6.84–62.08 %), BDE-99 (1.80–56.77 %), and BDE-153 (0–43.10 %). The weighted average concentrations of ∑8PBDEs were 1419.97 ng/g in 2006–2009, 5886.15 ng/g in 2010–2014, and 1813.51 ng/g in 2015–2020. HD-PBDE concentration was significantly higher in winter than in spring and fall (P < 0.05). Families residing in rural areas, southern regions, or near e-waste-contaminated areas exhibited higher concentrations of HD-PBDEs (P < 0.05). Two principal components were extracted, accounting for 84.56 % of the total variance. The estimated daily intake of HD-PBDEs for children via ingestion (1.93 × 101 ng/kg BW/day) was higher than that via dermal absorption (8.93 ×10−1 ng/kg BW/day). The non-carcinogenic risk of HD-PBDEs (1.01 ×10−1) and the carcinogenic risk of BDE-209 (1.30 ×10−8) were below the standard criterion. Conclusions HD-PBDE concentrations in China ranked moderate-to-high globally, with clear regional variations. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of HD-PBDE exposure to Chinese children were acceptable. Future investigations should focus on longitudinal monitoring of PBDE trends in household environments and health impacts on vulnerable subpopulations.

This study aims to provide technical support for the development of a rational administration strategy for indoor environment and passenger flow of stations. The analysis was conducted monitor data of long distance bus stations and train/high speed railway stations from the National project. The monitor and surveyed data included indoor airborne culturable bacteria (IAB), passenger flow, area and height of stations. Data analysis involved the use of paired non-parametric tests, correlation analysis, and mixed linear regression methods. A total of 132 pairs of stations were examined in this study. Additionally, significant variations were observed in the monitoring results for the IAB and passenger flow between 2019 and 2020 (p < 0.05). Specifically, the median values of these two factors in 2020 decreased by 50.52% and 48.33%, respectively, compared to 2019. (p < 0.05). A positive relationship between the daily average passenger flow and the IAB in long distance bus stations and train stations, particularly pronounced with medium sized waiting rooms, which located in subtropical cities with a general level of economic development. The mixed effect regression analysis revealed a significant association between passenger flow (OR = 1.564, 1.288-1.898), per capita volume (OR = 0.856, 0.733-0.998), and per capita area (OR = 0.806, 0.678-0.956) with the IAB (p < 0.05) just in long distance bus stations. It is crucial to regulate passenger flow and per capita area in the waiting room of long distance bus stations to mitigate the spread of airborne culturable bacteria during infectious disease epidemics.

Phthalate esters (PAEs) existed in household environment globally, and household airborne dust PAEs (HD-PAEs) have garnered significant attention due to their endocrine-like toxicity. In on-site study investigating PAE contamination from 60 households across three Chinese cities, we analyzed 43 dust samples for specific PAE components and conducted comprehensive total DNA demethylation potential (TDP) toxicity assays. Ten congeners were detected across all cities (130.26-3683.66 μg/g), with Harbin showing the highest median ∑10PAEs concentration (1970.71 μg/g). Decoration, living habits and housing characteristics, collectively influenced PAE levels, with DEHP and DCHP being the dominant congeners. Correlation and factor analyses identified four primary sources: (1) plastic products and personal care products (DEP, DPP, and DEHP: 36.74 %), (2) adhesive products (DMEP and DHXP: 15.06 %), (3) flooring materials and personal care products (DNOP and DBP: 12.55 %), and (4) packing materials and synthetic leather (BBP: 11.40 %). While non-carcinogenic risks were acceptable (HI < 1), DEHP posed a potential carcinogenic risk (LCR > 10⁻⁶). The TDP assay revealed a 79.07 % positive demethylation, and extensive modeling demonstrated a significant positive correlation between DBP and TDP (p < 0.1). This study provides valuable insights into HD-PAEs pollution and its health risk mechanisms, offering critical evidence for future risk assessments.

The long-term health risk posed by the residual pollution from sudden river pollution incidents receives wide attention but the essential valuable information for health risk management has been reported rarely. In this study, a phenol spill in 2012 that occurred in Yangtze River was investigated to examine the distribution and risks of residual pollution. The average concentrations of phenol were determined to be 2.08 µg/L (range 1.00-8.00 µg/L) in surface water, 5.46 µg/kg (range 2.30-26.60 µg/kg) in sediment, and 2.45 µg/kg (range 0.05-7.00 µg/kg) in soil. The largest increment in phenol pollution was observed in sediment (3.28 µg/kg), while the greatest proportional rise (130.00 %) was recorded in surface water. Areas of high phenol pollution were estimated to cover 12.2 km² in surface water and 16.7 km² in sediment, with a spatial separation of approximately 9.4 km. The non-carcinogenic health risks of oral exposure to phenol were calculated as 9.40 × 10⁻⁴ for infants, 7.23 × 10⁻⁴ for children, 5.15 × 10⁻⁴ for teenagers, and 5.04 × 10⁻⁴ for adults. These findings suggest that phenol followed a deposition-release pattern between sediment and surface water, and a framework were proposed for evidence-based environmental health risk management of residual pollutants in major river pollution incidents.

Bacterial pathogens pose a serious threat to human health, and there is an urgent need to develop highly effective antibacterial materials to eliminate the increasingly serious contamination of drug-resistant bacteria. Here, a Cu-doped ZIF-8 particle with unsaturated copper exhibits high peroxidase-like activity. 99.998

Health hazards caused by metal exposure in household dust are concerning environmental health problems. Exposure to toxic metals in household dust imposes unclear but solid health risks, especially for children. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, a total of 250 household dust samples were collected from ten stratified cities in China (Panjin, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao, Lanzhou, Luoyang, Ningbo, Xi'an, Wuxi, Mianyang, Shenzhen) between April 2018 and March 2019. Questionnaire was conducted to gather information on individuals' living environment and health status in real-life situations. Multivariate logistic regression and principal component analysis were conducted to identify risk factors and determine the sources of metals in household dust. The median concentration of five metals in household dust from 10 cities ranged from 0.03 to 73.18 μg/g. Among the five heavy metals, only chromium in household dust of Mianyang was observed significantly both higher in the cold season and from the downwind households. Mercury, cadmium, and chromium were higher in the third-tier cities, with levels of 0.08, 0.30 and 97.28 μg/g, respectively. There were two sources with a contribution rate of 38.3 % and 25.8 %, respectively. Potential risk factors for increased metal concentration include long residence time, close to the motorway, decoration within five years, and purchase of new furniture within one year. Under both moderate and high exposure scenarios, chromium showed the highest level of exposure with 6.77 × 10-4 and 2.28 × 10-3 mg·kg-1·d-1, and arsenic imposed the highest lifetime carcinogenic risk at 1.67 × 10-4 and 3.17 × 10-4, respectively. The finding highlighted the priority to minimize childhood exposure of arsenic from household dust.

BackgroundBacteria are the most diverse and widely sourced microorganisms in the indoor air of subway stations, where pathogenic bacteria can spread through the air, leading to increased health risks. ObjectiveTo understand the status and distribution characteristics of indoor air bacterial pollution in subway stations and compartments in a city of Central South China, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating intervention measures to address indoor air bacteria pollution in subways. MethodsThree subway stations and the compartments of trains parking there in a city in Central South China were selected according to passenger flow for synchronous air sampling and monitoring. Temperature, humidity, wind speed, carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and inhalable particulate matter (PM10) were measured by direct reading method. In accordance with the requirements of Examination methods for public places-Part 3: Airborne microorganisms (GB/T 18204.3-2013), air samples were collected at a flow rate of 28.3 L·min−1, and total bacterial count was estimated. Bacterial microbial species were identified with a mass spectrometer and pathogenic bacteria were distinguished from non-pathogenic bacteria according to the Catalogue of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted to human beings issued by National Health Commission. Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare the subway hygiene indicators in different regions and time periods, and Bonferroni test was used for pairwise comparison. Spearman correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between CO2 concentration and total bacterial count. ResultsThe pass rates were 100.0% for airborne total bacteria count, PM2.5, and PM10 in the subway stations and train compartments, 94.4% for temperature and wind speed, 98.6% for CO2, but 0% for humidity. The overall median (P25, P75) total bacteria count was 177 (138,262) CFU·m−3. Specifically, the total bacteria count was higher in station halls than in platforms, and higher during morning peak hours than during evening peak hours (P<0.05). A total of 874 strains and 82 species were identified by automatic microbial mass spectrometry. The results of identification were all over 9 points, and the predominant bacteria in the air were Micrococcus luteus (52.2%) and Staphylococcus hominis (9.8%). Three pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii (0.3%), Corynebacterium striatum (0.1%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacilli (2.2%) were detected in 23 samples (2.6%), and the associated locations were mainly distributed in train compartments during evening rush hours. ConclusionThe total bacteria count in indoor air varies by monitoring sites of subway stations and time periods, and there is a risk of opportunistic bacterial infection. Attention should be paid to cleaning and disinfection during peak passenger flow hours in all areas.

OBJECTIVE To understand the status and problems of microbial pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets in China.METHODS Microbial pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets was assessed by literature search,key information extraction and analysis.The strengths,weaknesses,opportunities and threats(SWOT)of risk control of pathogenic microorganisms in shopping malls and supermarkets were analyzed by SWOT analysis.RESULTS Common bacteria in the indoor air of shopping malls and supermarkets included staphylococcus and Bacillus,and common fungi include Aspergillus and Penicillium.The bacteria detected in dust samples,escalator surfaces and floor surfaces were mainly Proteobacteria and Actinomyces.The complete public places laws and regulations,standards and health supervision system were the advantages of the risk prevention and control countermeasures of microbial contamination in shopping malls and supermarkets.At the same time,it also had the disadvantages of incomplete microbial-related indexes in the premises,and insufficiently detailed countermeasures for prevention and control in the premises.There were opportunities for multi-sectoral participation and post-licensing risk prevention,and it was also facing challenges brought by many factors affecting the health microenviroment and over-disinfection.CONCLUSION The main sites for microbial risk prevention and control in superstore-type public places included high-frequency contact areas,key public supplies and utensils,indoor air,etc.,which could be prevented and controlled through a variety of measures such as controlling the release of the source,dilution and reduction,disinfection and denaturation,etc.,and exploring a comprehensive prevention and control system that involves the autonomy of the organization,industry self-regulation,collaboration of multi-government departments,and participation of the whole society.

公共场所存在多种物理性、化学性和生物性因素可产生人体健康风险,导致传染性疾病暴发和非传染性疾病发生.全面了解我国重点公共场所内的环境健康危害因素特征,有助于进一步开展公共场所疾病防控工作和健康防护,为有效降低脆弱人群健康风险提供基础证据.本期专栏针对宾馆、候车室、商场超市、理发美容店等重点公共场所,从场所环境卫生问题现况、健康危害因素对从业人员健康影响、新型冠状病毒感染疫情防控措施效果等多个角度,展示公共场所健康危害因素监测项目近年来的工作进展,以期为加强我国公共场所卫生管理和危害防控提供科学依据.

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are typical residential pollutants mainly from biofuel combus-tion that impose inevitable risk to children. The PAHs in residential dust is universal in most Chinese households withan obvious public health concern.Methods: In this observational study, a total of 235 residential dust samples from 8 Chinese cities (Panjin, Shijiazhuang,Lanzhou, Luoyang, Xi'an, Wuxi, Mianyang, and Shenzhen) were collected from April 2018 to March 2019, which wereextracted and analyzed for 16 priority PAHs by HPLC/FD-UV. Diagnostic ratios, hierarchical clustering analysis andprincipal component analysis were applied simultaneously for source apportionments. Incremental lifetime cancerrisk was employed to estimate children's health risks based on the assumed exposure scenarios. Spearman correlation,Mann-WhitneyUtest, Kruskal-WallisHtest and Partial Least Squares were used to screen the factors affecting the con-centration of PAHs in residential dust.Results:The median concentration of n-ary sumation 16PAHs in residential dust from 8 cities was 44.11 mu g/g (0.04 - 355.79 mu g/g). n-ary sumation 16PAHs were found both higher in dust samples in heating season and from downwind households only in Mianyang(p<0.05). The leading two sources of PAHs were combustion processes and automobile exhaust emissions based onfour principal components that accounted for 74.29 % of the total variance. Indoor air environmental factors, house-hold characteristics, and residents' behavioral lifestyles may be the influencing factors of residential dust PAHs. Thecarcinogenic risk of children aged 0 - 5 years, under the moderate exposure level of PAHs in residential dust, exceededthe acceptable level (10-5-10-4for dermal contact and 10-6-10-5for ingestion)Conclusions: There was serious PAHs pollution in residential dust under actual living conditions in eight cities acrossChina. More evidence-based measures were needed to control PAHs pollution to safeguard children's health accordingto appointed sources and influencing factors in residential dus