A study of the dust in Victorian homes has found reassuringly low levels of chemicals such as pesticides and PFAS, while showing that traditional hazards such as lead should remain a focus.
The study was led by EPA Victoria researchers and published in the scientific journal Environment International. It tested 132 dust and soil samples supplied by 44 Victorian residents as part of the environmental watchdog's flagship citizen science program, GardenSafe.
The study tested for trace metals such as lead and arsenic, PFAS, pesticides, hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
Of the 184 chemicals detected in the dust samples, 99.5% were below health-protective screening thresholds - levels considered safe for people.
Lead was found above the threshold in a single sample of household dust. This was linked to historical contamination by lead-based paints.
Kara Fry, Senior Health Risk Advisor at the EPA and the paper's lead author, said the study built on the successful GardenSafe program, which has been running since 2022 and has tested more than 8700 soil samples sent in by Victorian residents. More than 600 householders sent in samples during 2025-26.
"The community wanted to know more about the chemicals they're exposed to every day, and given most people spend 90% of their time indoors, one of the best ways to look at that is through the dust in their homes," she said.
"We tested a range of contaminants that GardenSafe doesn't usually test for and that people had been asking us questions about."
She said the results were good news.
"What we found was reassuring - with the exception of that one lead result, the chemicals we measured were at levels that weren't considered to be a risk to human health," Ms Fry said.
"We know from GardenSafe data that lead is one of the most common soil contaminants, particularly in older and inner-urban homes, from years of being used in paint and petrol. While we found that lead was seen in soil more often than it was in household dust, we still encourage people living in older inner-city homes to be vigilant."
There was a substantial difference between what was detected outdoors and indoors, with dust providing more of a snapshot of our current lifestyle. Tests showed low levels of chemicals like PFAS, found in many common household items, pharmaceuticals, caffeine by-products, sunscreen additives and even the oils from people's skin and hair.
Antti Mikkonen, EPA's Principal Health Risk Advisor and senior author for the paper, said the study was a great example of the value of citizen science and pointed the way for further research.
"Without the support and participation of the community, this sort of research wouldn't be possible," he said. "It's empowered and educated so many people, and the results are really important.
"We screened for a huge number of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, but what we found was the key risks were from legacy substances such as heavy metals. We've recommended those remain a focus, while continuing to monitor for PFAS as our understanding evolves."
Dr Mikkonen urged anyone worried that there might be lead or other legacy metal contamination in their backyard soil to have it tested through GardenSafe.
"It's a free service to Victorians that gives you the information you need. If we do find anything of concern, we'll provide information on ways to manage it."
For more information, go to our GardenSafe page.(opens in a new window)
