Assessment of the influence of climatic factors on concentration levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in canadian homes

Fellin, Phil; Otson, Rein

doi:10.1016/1352-2310(94)00204-x

Cited by 44 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Because this is a compound used in consumer products, it is expected that seasonal differences in concentrations of p-dichlorobenzene in indoor air samples might also occur. This was shown in a 1991 Canadian study (Table 3) (Fellin and Otson, 1994) as well as in a study by Wallace et al (1988) (Table 4). During the winter months, less fresh air is allowed into houses and consequently less dilution of the p-dichlorobenzene occurs.…”

Section: P-dichlorobenzenementioning

confidence: 70%

A Comparative Human Health Risk Assessment ofp-Dichlorobenzene-Based Toilet Rimblock Products Versus Fragrance/Surfactant-Based Alternatives

Aronson

Bosch

Gray

et al. 2007

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

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A comparison of the human health risk to consumers using one of two types of toilet rimblock products, either a p-dichlorobenzene-based rimblock or two newer fragrance/surfactant-based alternatives, was conducted. Rimblock products are designed for global use by consumers worldwide and function by releasing volatile compounds into indoor air with subsequent exposure presumed to be mainly by inhalation of indoor air. Using the THERdbASE exposure model and experimentally determined emission data, indoor air concentrations and daily intake values were determined for both types of rimblock products. Modeled exposure concentrations from a representative p-dichlorobenzene rimblock product are an order of magnitude higher than those from the alternative rimblock products due to its nearly pure composition and high sublimation rate. Lifetime exposure to p-dichlorobenzene or the subset of fragrance components with available RfD values is not expected to lead to non-cancer-based adverse health effects based on the exposure concentrations estimated using the THERdbASE model. A similar comparison of cancer-based effects was not possible as insufficient data were available for the fragrance components.

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Section: P-dichlorobenzenementioning

confidence: 70%

A Comparative Human Health Risk Assessment ofp-Dichlorobenzene-Based Toilet Rimblock Products Versus Fragrance/Surfactant-Based Alternatives

Aronson

Bosch

Gray

et al. 2007

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B

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“…Initial results from several studies have demonstrated the ability to measure levels found in ambient air provided they are deployed for sufficient time. For instance, OVMs were used to measure concentrations of VOCs in Canadian homes (9). This study found that OVMs were suitable for measuring VOCs in homes and that the presence of indoor VOC sources had a greater influence on concentrations than ventilation or meteorological conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Field Comparison of Volatile Organic Compound Measurements Using Passive Organic Vapor Monitors and Stainless Steel Canisters

Pratt

Bock

Stock

et al. 2005

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Concurrent field measurements of 10 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were made using passive diffusion-based organic vapor monitors (OVMs) and the U.S. Federal Reference Method, which comprises active monitoring with stainless steel canisters (CANs). Measurements were obtained throughout a range of weather conditions, repeatedly over the course of three seasons, and at three different locations in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Ambient concentrations of most VOCs as measured by both methods were low compared to those of other large metropolitan areas. For some VOCs a considerable fraction of measurements was below the detection limit of one or both methods. The observed differences between the two methods were similar across measurement sites, seasons, and meteorological variables. A Bayesian analysis with uniform priors on the differences was applied, with accommodation of sometimes heavy censoring (nondetection) in either device. The resulting estimates of bias and standard deviation of the OVM relative to the CAN were computed by tertile of the canister-measured concentration. In general, OVM and CAN measurements were in the best agreement for benzene and other aromatic compounds with hydrocarbon additions (ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylenes). The two methods were not in such good agreement for styrene and halogenated compounds (carbon tetrachloride, p-dichlorobenzene, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene). OVMs slightly overestimated benzene concentrations and carbon tetrachloride at low concentrations, but in all other cases where significant differences were found, OVMs underestimated relative to canisters. Our study indicates that the two methods are in agreement for some compounds, but not all. We provide data and interpretation on the relative performance of the two VOC measurement methods, which facilitates intercomparisons among studies.

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“…Past research has shown that indoor VOC concentrations are influenced by outdoor sources, building characteristics, such as presence of an attached garage, and indoor sources, such as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and consumer product use (Wallace et al, 1985Cohen et al, 1989;Seifert et al, 1989;Fellin and Otson, 1994;Otson et al, 1994;Kim et al, 2001). Characterizing potential sources and modifiers of VOC exposure is important for interpreting exposure data, estimating health risks, and recommending interventions if exposure prevention is warranted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal, Indoor, and Outdoor VOC Exposures in a Probability Sample of Children

Adgate

Eberly

Stroebel

et al. 2004

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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As part of the Minnesota Children's Pesticide Exposure Study we measured volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations in a probability sample of households with children. The 6-day average concentrations for 10 common VOCs were obtained in urban and nonurban residences twice during this multiphase study: screening-phase indoor measurements were collected in 284 households, and in the intensive-phase matched outdoor (O), indoor (I), and personal (P) measurements were collected in a subset (N ¼ 72) of the screened households. Screening-phase households with smokers had significantly higher concentrations of benzene and styrene compared to nonsmoking households; households with an attached garage had significantly higher levels of benzene, chloroform, styrene, and m/p-and o-xylene compared to households without an attached garage; and nonurban residences, which had a greater prevalence of smokers and attached garages, had significantly higher 1,1,1-trichloroethane, styrene, and toluene and significantly lower tetrachloroethylene concentrations compared to urban households. The screening-phase weighted distributions estimate the mean and variability in indoor VOC concentrations for more than 45,000 households with children in the census tracts sampled. Overall, median indoor concentrations of most VOCs measured in this study were similar to or lower than indoor levels measured previously in the United States. Intensive-phase outdoor VOC concentrations were generally lower than other major metropolitan areas, but urban concentrations were significantly higher than nonurban concentrations for all compounds except 1,1,1-trichloroethylene. A consistent pattern of P4I4O was observed for nine of 10 VOCs, with 1,1,1-trichloroethylene (I4P4O) being the only exception to this pattern. For most children, the indoor at-home microevironment was strongly associated with personal exposure after controlling for important covariates, but the ratio of median to upper bound exposures was smaller than that observed in studies of adults. There are relatively little data on VOC exposures in children, so these results are useful for estimating the central tendency and distribution of VOC exposures in locations where children spend a majority of their time.

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Assessment of the influence of climatic factors on concentration levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in canadian homes

Cited by 44 publications

References 3 publications

A Comparative Human Health Risk Assessment ofp-Dichlorobenzene-Based Toilet Rimblock Products Versus Fragrance/Surfactant-Based Alternatives

A Comparative Human Health Risk Assessment ofp-Dichlorobenzene-Based Toilet Rimblock Products Versus Fragrance/Surfactant-Based Alternatives

A Field Comparison of Volatile Organic Compound Measurements Using Passive Organic Vapor Monitors and Stainless Steel Canisters

Personal, Indoor, and Outdoor VOC Exposures in a Probability Sample of Children

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