Abstract
Soil/dust ingestion is a critical pathway for exposure to contaminants in and around the home. Estimating ingestion requires knowledge of key behaviors for young children related to mouthing behaviors and handwashing habits. Surveys are invaluable tools in understanding the extent of human exposure to chemicals in and around the home. By linking behavioral patterns with environmental data, surveys can raise awareness about the health risks posed by household contaminants in soil and dust and can improve exposure and risk estimates. The current study aimed to quantify soil and dust related ingestion behaviors in children ages 6 months to 6 years, to support exposure and risk assessments. The results were compared across different demographic variables. Survey collection was conducted from January 2022 to December 2023 from 450 households across three metropolitan regions: Miami, Greensboro, and Tucson. Parents provided information for up to four children in their home who were over 6 months old and up to 6 years of age resulting in data collected for 540 children. There were 12 demographic variables selected for comparison against 24 child behaviors using Cramér’s V analysis and displayed using Mosaic plots. The child’s age was a strong predictor of a number of behaviors such as mouthing, pacifier use, pacifier use frequency, pacifier wash, blanket use, stuffed animal use, sucking of toes and fingers, and handwashing before meals. Other demographic variables, such as child’s and parent’s race, and parent’s income levels had fewer associations. The data collected here can be used to improve non-dietary ingestion exposure and risk assessment for young children to contaminants in soil and dust and on objects around the home. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-026-40220-3.