title: Indoor/outdoor measurements of volatile organic compounds in the Kanawha Valley of West Virginia.
abstract: The Kanawha Valley region of West Virginia which is comprised of Charleston and surrounding communities is the center of a heavily industrialized area known for its chemical manufacturing. As part of a larger study designed to investigate the impact of the chemical industry on human exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOC), a study of the relationship between indoor and outdoor concentrations was conducted. Thirty-five homes were selected for monitoring from among volunteers; approximately ten in each of three distinct population-industry centers and four outside the Valley to act as controls. Monitoring was performed using passive, badge samplers with a three-week monitoring period. Two separate questionnaires were administered: one for characterization of the residence; and one to characterize source use during monitoring. Participants were also asked to keep a record of their activities with respect to in-home, outdoors and other indoor environments. Analysis of the samplers was performed by solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography using a flame-ionization detector. Results suggest that indoor VOC concentrations are higher than outdoor concentrations. Additionally, certain ventilation-related parameters were identified that afforded some predictive power for indoor concentrations. No statistically significant differences between regions were identified.
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Cohen
authors: P B
authors: PB
authors: Ryan
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Yanagisawa
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Spengler
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Ozkaynak
authors: P S
authors: PS
authors: Epstein
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014903:West Virginia
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational