Podiatrists: Risks Related to Indoor Air Quality and Prevention Strategies

March 28, 2026

In summary

The profession of podiatrist is among those most exposed to indoor air pollution: PM2.5 fine particles from sanding and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by adhesives, solvents, and disinfectants.

Long-term risks include: chronic respiratory problems, nasal polyps, allergies, headaches, and eye irritation.

New Certibiocide regulations: mandatory certification for the use of biocidal products (surface disinfectants) has been postponed until July 1, 2027, for the industry, and will be incorporated into the continuing education program, which must be renewed every six years.

An indoor air quality audit allows for the objective measurement of VOC and PM2.5 levels before any corrective action is taken.

Air purification using HEPA filters and activated carbon is an effective preventive measure against the two types of pollutants found in dental offices.

Indoor air quality is rarely the first concern that comes to mind when thinking about occupational hazards for podiatrists. Yet their work environment contains two categories of pollutants that are particularly concerning: fine particles generated by technical procedures, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the chemicals used on a daily basis.

Such exposure, repeated for hours each day over the course of years, can have serious consequences for the health of healthcare providers—and, to a lesser extent, for that of patients.

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Pedicure involving the trimming of toenails

A profession with dual exposure: fine particulate matter and VOCs

Fine particles: a little-known risk associated with technical procedures

Every procedure involving the use of tools—such as filing calluses, treating nail fungus, or shaping orthopedic insoles—generates fine particles suspended in the air. These particles, which are smaller than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), penetrate deep into the respiratory tract and, with chronic exposure, can cause bronchial inflammation, occupational asthma, or long-term lung disorders.

As podiatrists, we are highly exposed to pollutants: fine particles and dust generated during sanding, during treatments, and when shaping orthopedic insoles. Candice Plana, podiatrist, Talence (33)

VOCs: Persistent Chemical Pollutants

Adhesives (particularly neoprene), solvents, surface disinfectants, and cleaning products used on a daily basis emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Some VOCs are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CMR). Others can cause mucosal irritation, headaches, or allergic sensitization over the medium term.

The problem is even worse in older offices: over the years, these compounds gradually seep into the walls, floors, and furniture, creating a source of background pollution even when the products are not actively in use.

My father, who used to work at the practice, had developed nasal polyps due to years of exposure to indoor air pollutants. Candice Plana

Health effects: what the scientific literature says

A cross-sectional study of 1,353 French podiatrists (ONPP/University of Rouen, 2021) found that risks associated with dust and chemicals are among the primary occupational hazards in the profession, which is predominantly self-employed and therefore receives little oversight from occupational health services.

The most commonly reported side effects are:

respiratory disorders: chronic rhinitis, asthma, nasal polyps
eye and upper respiratory tract irritation
recurrent headaches associated with exposure to solvents
skin sensitization and allergic reactions

These symptoms often develop gradually, making it difficult to identify a link to the workplace.

Odors: a warning sign that should not be ignored

The odors detectable in a podiatry office are not merely an aesthetic nuisance: they indicate the presence of VOCs in the air at measurable concentrations. A practitioner exposed to these odors on a daily basis eventually stops noticing them—a well-documented phenomenon of sensory habituation—while patients, on the other hand, are fully aware of them.

I was receiving a lot of complaints from my patients about odors that bothered them—odors that I myself could no longer detect, except when I was in the gluing area of my workshop. Candice Plana

The persistence of odors in a room is an indirect indicator of poor indoor air quality and warrants an objective measurement of the pollutants present.

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2026 Regulations: Certibiocide, a new requirement to prepare for

Since 2024, the Certibiocide decree has regulated the use of professional-grade biocidal disinfectants (Type TP2: surface disinfectants, sprays, and cleaning wipes).
After several postponements, the effective date for podiatrists has been set for July 1, 2027, and will be incorporated into the mandatory continuing education program with a renewal cycle every six years.

This regulatory framework highlights a reality that is often underestimated: the disinfectants used in dental offices are not harmless from a toxicological standpoint. Proper management of these products, careful selection, adequate ventilation during application, and appropriate storage directly affect the quality of the indoor air in the office.

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How can you assess and improve the air quality in your office?

Step 1: Measure before acting

Before making any decisions about equipment, an indoor air quality audit can provide an objective assessment of the levels of VOCs and PM2.5 in the office. This measurement is particularly useful in older buildings, where pollutants may be deeply embedded in the materials.

Candice Plana’s account is particularly revealing in this regard: after installing an air purifier equipped with sensors, it took nine months for VOC and PM2.5 levels to drop back down to acceptable levels—revealing the extent of the pollution that had accumulated over several decades.

In my office, it took about nine months for the VOC and PM2.5 particle levels to drop to their lowest point, which clearly shows just how deeply the pollutants had permeated the space. Candice Plana

Step 2: Address the root causes

Primary prevention remains a priority: choose products with lower emissions, work in a well-ventilated area when applying adhesives, and limit cumulative exposure. These common-sense measures reduce pollution at the source.

Step 3: Purify the residual air

For residual pollutants—especially in high-volume practices or older facilities—air purification is an effective supplement. A professional air purifier suitable for a podiatry practice must address both types of pollutants present:

HEPA filter for fine particles (PM2.5, sanding dust)
High-density activated carbon filter for VOCs and odors

The unit’s capacity must be appropriate for the room’s size and the intensity of the activities (a treatment room versus a custom-made insole workshop, which have very different levels of air pollution).

Podiatrists work in a professional environment that is more polluted than it appears.
Chronic exposure to fine particulate matter and VOCs—often invisible and insidious—can lead to long-term respiratory conditions. The Certibiocide regulation, set to take effect in July 2027, is already prompting the profession to reevaluate its practices regarding chemical products.

Taking steps to improve indoor air quality in one’s practice—through monitoring, preventing pollution at the source, and, when necessary, air purification—is an occupational health initiative that benefits both the practitioner and their patients.

Sources: ONPP (2021 Occupational Risks Report, 2024–2025 Updates), University of Rouen Normandy (DUMAS Thesis, 2022), Idélia Santé (Certibiocide, 2025), European Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012, Certibiocide Order, September 2025, INRS.