| Title: | The respiratory effects of volatile organic compounds |
| Author(s): | Pappas GP; Herbert RJ; Henderson W; Koenig J; Stover B; Barnhart S; |
| Address: | "Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Mailstop 359712, Seattle, WA 98104, USA" |
| Journal Title: | Int J Occup Environ Health |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1077-3525 (Print) 1077-3525 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been implicated as causative agents in asthma and building-related illness. To determine whether a mixture of VOCs could impair lung function or cause airway inflammation among subjects without bronchial hyperresponsiveness, the authors conducted a randomized, crossover-design trial of controlled human exposures to filtered air for four hours, VOCs at 25 mg/m(3) for four hours, and VOCs at 50 mg/m(3) for four hours, using a VOC mixture based on sampling of indoor environments. VOC exposures caused dose-related increases in lower respiratory, upper respiratory, and non-respiratory symptoms, with no significant change in lung function (FEV(1);, FVC, or FEF(25-75), nasal lavage cellularity or differential cell counts, induced sputum cellularity or differential cell counts, or biomarkers of airway inflammation, including IL-8, LTB(4), or albumin in nasal lavage or induced sputum samples. Atopic individuals had significantly reduced FEE(25-75 following exposure to VOCs at 50 mg/m(3), suggesting that these individuals may be more sensitive to the health effects of VOCs. The authors conclude that reductions in levels of VOCs to substantially less than 25 mg/m(3) are required if a 'non-irritating' work environment is desired" |
| Keywords: | "Adult Air Pollutants/*adverse effects Albumins/analysis Asthma/chemically induced Cell Count Cross-Over Studies Data Interpretation, Statistical Female Humans Hypersensitivity, Immediate/chemically induced/diagnosis Interleukin-8/analysis Leukotriene B4/a;" |
| Notes: | "MedlinePappas, G P Herbert, R J Henderson, W Koenig, J Stover, B Barnhart, S eng 5R01ES06662-02/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ Clinical Trial Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. England 2000/01/19 Int J Occup Environ Health. 2000 Jan-Mar; 6(1):1-8. doi: 10.1179/oeh.2000.6.1.1" |
