title: Passive smoking, excretion of metabolites, and health effects: results of the Leipzig's Allergy Risk Study (LARS).
abstract: Over a 5-yr period, the Leipzig's Allergy Risk Study (LARS) investigated the influence of typical indoor-contaminant burdens on the development of allergies and upper respiratory tract infections in allergy-prone children. Typical indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and excretion of certain VOC metabolites in urine were measured in children 3 yr of age. Data analyses were based on parent-completed questionnaires, exposure measurements, and medical examinations. Evaluation of passive smoking was of special interest. Generally, residences with a high burden of passive smoking had higher benzene concentrations than residences inhabited by nonsmokers. Obstructive bronchitis was observed more frequently in children exposed to increased concentrations of benzene, as well as toluene, styrene, and m,p-xylene. In addition, atopic symptoms were associated with excretion of certain VOC metabolites. For example, the authors found an association between eczema and exposure to toluene and between eczema and increased excretion of the toluene metabolite S-benzylmercapturic acid. The results suggest that if an association with certain health effects is to be demonstrated, evaluation of external exposures should be supplemented with evaluations of internal exposure.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Environmental Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike E
authors.initials: UE
authors.lastname: Rolle-Kampczyk
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rehwagen
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Diez
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Olf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Herbarth
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borte
mesh_terms: D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000009:adverse effects; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution