Indoor volatile organic compounds and chemical sensitivity reactions.
Studies of unexplained symptoms observed in chemically sensitive subjects have increased the awareness of the relationship between neurological and immunological diseases due to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, there is no direct evidence that links exposure to low doses of VOCs and neurological and immunological dysfunction. We review animal model data to clarify the role of VOCs in neuroimmune interactions and discuss our recent studies that show a relationship between chronic exposure of C3H mice to low levels of formaldehyde and the induction of neural and immune dysfunction. We also consider the possible mechanisms by which VOC exposure can induce the symptoms presenting in patients with a multiple chemical sensitivity.
Center for Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan.
Tin-Tin
TT
Win-Shwe
Hidekazu
H
Fujimaki
Keiichi
K
Arashidani
Naoki
N
Kunugita
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects; D015870:Gene Expression; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D005557:Formaldehyde