The influence of personal activities on exposure to volatile organic compounds

Data from the Total Exposure Assessment Methodology studies, conducted from 1980 to 1987 in New Jersey ( NJ ) and California ( CA ) , and the 1990 California Indoor Exposure study were analyzed using positive matrix factorization, a receptor -oriented source apportionment model. Personal exposure and outdoor concentrations of 14 and 17 toxic volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) were studied from the NJ and CA data, respectively. Analyzing both the personal exposure and outdoor concentrations made it possible to compare toxic VOCs in outdoor air and exposure resulting from personal activities. Regression analyses of the measured concentrations versus the factor scores were performed to determine the relative contribution of each factor to total exposure concentrations. Activity patterns of the NJ and CA participants were examined to determine whether reported exposures to specific sources correspond to higher estimated contributions from the factor identified with that source. For a subset of VOCs, a preliminary analysis to determine irritancybased contributions of factors to exposures was carried out. Major source types of toxic VOCs in both NJ and CA appear to be aromatic sources resembling automobile exhaust, gasoline vapor, or environmental tobacco smoke for personal exposures, and automobile exhaust or gasoline vapors for outdoor concentrations.

Section: Interpretation Of Factor Profilesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The PERC source could result from exposure to drycleaned clothes, or being inside or living near a drycleaning shop ( Wallace, 1989;Wallace et al, 1989 ). This source was only extracted from the NJ data, although PERC was measured in CA too.…”

Section: Anderson Et Almentioning

confidence: 99%

Source apportionment of exposure to toxic volatile organic compounds using positive matrix factorization

Anderson

Miller

Milford

2001

“…Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are widely used in the manufacture of building and furnishing materials and in consumer products, such as paints and cleaning agents, and are released from gasoline and other fuels (Wallace et al, 1989). Humans are typically exposed to higher concentrations of VOCs indoors than outdoors (Wallace, 1987a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships between levels of volatile organic compounds in air and blood from the general population

Lin

Egeghy

Rappaport

2007

The relationships between levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in blood and air have not been well characterized in the general population where exposure concentrations are generally at parts per billion levels. This study investigates relationships between the levels of nine VOCs, namely, benzene, chloroform, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tetrachloroethene, toluene, and m-/p-and o-xylene, in blood and air from a stratified random sample of the general US population. We used data collected from 354 participants, including 89 smokers and 265 nonsmokers, aged 20-59 years, who provided samples of blood and air in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000. Demographic and physiological characteristics were obtained from self-reported information; smoking status was determined from levels of serum cotinine. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the relationships between VOC levels in air and blood, while adjusting for effects of smoking and demographic factors. Although levels of VOCs in blood were positively correlated with the corresponding air levels, the strength of association (R 2 ) varied from 0.02 (ethylbenzene) to 0.68 (1,4-DCB). Also the blood-air relationships of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the xylenes (BTEX) were influenced by smoking, exposure-smoking interactions, and by gender, age, and BMI, whereas those of the other VOCs were not. Interestingly, the particular exposure-smoking interaction for benzene was different from those for toluene, ethylbenzene, and the xylenes. Whereas smokers retained more benzene in their blood at increasing exposure levels, they retained less toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes at increasing exposure levels. Investigators should consider interaction effects of exposure levels and smoking when exploring the blood-air relationships of the BTEX compounds in the general population.

“…Health problems observed at VOC concentrations below workplace standards include eye irritation, chemical sensitization, and decreased mental alertness. Over the past 15 years, scientists have sought to characterize VOC emissions from such products as moth balls ( Tichenor et al, 1990;Chang and Krebs, 1992 ), carpeting ( Sollinger et al, 1993a,b;Little et al, 1994 ), construction materials (Gammage and Matthews, 1988 ), arts and crafts materials ( Thompson and Thompson, 1990 ), wood coatings and finishes, (Chang and Guo, 1992;Guo et al, 1998Guo et al, , 1999Anex and Lund, 1999 ) , paint stripper ( Girman et al, 1987 ), indoor insecticides (Bukowski and Meyer, 1995 ), herbicides tracked indoors (Nishioka et al, 1996 ), household cleaners (Kovacs et al, 1997) , fragrances in detergents and cosmetic products ( Cooper et al, 1995 ), tap water ( McKone, 1987;Tancre Âde et al, 1992;Wilkes et al, 1992Wilkes et al, , 1996, home humidifiers (Highsmith et al, 1992 ), and various combinations of products (Pickrell et al, 1983;Wallace et al, 1987;Wallace et al, 1989 ). Ott and Roberts ( 1998 ) point out the need to consider people's exposure to VOCs, and not just a chemical's toxicity or its total emissions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Girman et al (1987 ) offer a methodology for incorporating information on usage patterns in air-quality models. Wallace et al ( 1989 ) measured exposures among volunteers performing household tasks, such as washing clothes and dishes, visiting a dry cleaner, using room deodorizers, painting, and paint stripping. Wilkes et al ( 1996 ) simulated daily exposure to VOCs in tap water based on a variety of water-use and time ±activity studies in the literature as a function of the time spent on regular activities such as showering and washing dishes and clothes in rooms near VOC sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling methylene chloride exposure-reduction options for home paint-stripper users

Riley

Small

Fischhoff

2000

Home improvement is a popular activity, but one that can also involve exposure to hazardous substances. Paint stripping is of particular concern because of the high potential exposures to methylene chloride, a solvent that is a potential human carcinogen and neurotoxicant. This article presents a general methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of behavioral interventions for reducing these risks. It doubles as a model that assesses exposure patterns, incorporating user time ± activity patterns and risk -mitigation strategies. The model draws upon recent innovations in indoor air -quality modeling to estimate exposure through inhalation and dermal pathways to paint -stripper users. It is designed to use data gathered from home paint -stripper users about room characteristics, amount of stripper used, time ± activity patterns and exposure -reduction strategies ( e.g., increased ventilation and modification in the timing of stripper application, scraping, and breaks ) . Results indicate that the effectiveness of behavioral interventions depends strongly on characteristics of the room ( e.g., size, number and size of doors and windows, base air -exchange rates ) . The greatest simple reduction in exposure is achieved by using an exhaust fan in addition to opening windows and doors. These results can help identify the most important information for product labels and other risk -communication materials.