Development of New Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Exposure Metrics and their Relationship to "Sick Building Syndrome" Symptoms

Abstract

Occupants of office buildings are exposed to low concentrations of complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that encompass a number of chemical classes and a broad range of irritancies. “Sick building syndrome” (SBS) is suspected to be related to these exposures. Using data from 22 office areas in 12 California buildings, seven VOC exposure metrics were developed and their ability to predict self‐reported SBS irritant symptoms of office workers was tested. The VOC metrics were each evaluated in a multivariate logistic regression analysis model adjusted for other risk factors or confounders. Total VOCs and most of the other metrics were not statistically significant predictors of symptoms in crude or adjusted analyses. Two metrics were developed using principal components (PC) analysis on subsets of the 39 VOCs. The Irritancy/PC metric was the most statistically significant predictor of adjusted irritant symptoms. The irritant potencies of individual compounds, highly correlated nature of indoor VOC mixtures, and probable presence of potent, but unmeasured, VOCs were variously factored into this metric. These results, which for the first time show a link between low level VOC exposures from specific types of indoor sources to SBS symptoms, require confirmation using data sets from other buildings.

Variability of personal chemical exposure in eight office buildings in Sweden

“…Principles for such strategies have been thoroughly discussed in the literature (Box et al, 1978;Carlson, 1992;Wold et al, 1998). In a study using multivariate methods on air samples in buildings with SBS symptoms, Ten Brinke et al (1998) found relationships between SBS symptoms and concentrations of groups of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present at low levels in office air. Sunesson et al (2002) used principal component analysis (PCA, Eriksson et al, 2001) on VOC concentrations in buildings (homes and offices) with and without known SBS complaints.…”

Method of Lacquer Products on Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds

“…When using the automated vertical spray machine, 2-butoxy- Table 4 Concentration of VOCs during surface lacquering on a fi nishing line (2) and with the use of manual pneumatic guns in the spray booth in plant 2 Tablica 4. Koncentracije hlapljivih organskih spojeva emitiranih tijekom lakiranja proizvoda na liniji za površinsku obradu (2) i primjenom ručnoga pneumatskog pištolja u kabini za prskanje u pogonu 2.…”

“…diseases of the respiratory tract, allergies, migraines and overall irritation. Many researchers are of an opinion that these health problems are caused by volatile organic compounds (Brinke et al, 1998;Jones, 1999;Pappas et al, 2000;Nielsen et al, 2007). Volatile organic compounds are emitted from many sources, both internal and external.…”

Highly Sensitive and Selective VOC Sensor Systems Based on Semiconductor Gas Sensors: How to?

“…Exposure to VOCs for a long time can have negative effects on human health, including damage to the respiratory system and skin irritations [1]. Moreover, VOCs are the main cause of the sick building syndrome [2,3]. Besides these unspecific adverse health effects, some VOCs are proven to be carcinogenic (e.g., benzene [4]) or are suspected to be carcinogenic (e.g., formaldehyde [5]).…”