title: The respiratory effects of volatile organic compounds.
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.
authors.affiliation: Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Mailstop 359712, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Pappas
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Herbert
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stover
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barnhart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced; D002452:Cell Count; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000166:cytology; D013997:Time Factors; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000418:Albumins; D016209:Interleukin-8; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D007975:Leukotriene B4