TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP)
Liberty Goodwin, Director
P.O. Box 40572, Providence, RI 02906
Tel. 401-351-9193,
E-Mail:
TIP@toxicsinfo.org
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
(Lighting the Way to Less
Toxic Living)
Occupational
and Environmental Medicine 2004;61:923
© 2004 BMJ Publishing
Group Ltd , ECHO
Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds Found to be
Important in the Cause of Childhood Asthma
http://oem.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/61/11/923
The
role of indoor air quality in the aetiology of asthma has again come
under scrutiny in a case-control study from Perth, Western
Australia. Children who had received emergency treatment for asthma
were found to have been exposed to significantly higher
concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at home than
community controls.
VOCs found in the home include solvents, floor
adhesives, paint, cleaning products, furnishings, polishes, and room
fresheners. Measurements of VOCs in the homes of 88 cases were made
within two weeks of their emergency hospital visit in winter and
again in summer. The homes of 104 controls were monitored during the
same periods of time. The highest median concentrations were for
benzene, followed by toluene and 1,2-dichlorobenzene. In the present
study, the concentrations of total VOCs were low, and below currently
accepted recommendations.
After controlling for potential confounding
variables, children exposed to VOCs of >60µg/m3
(median level of exposure) had a fourfold increased risk of asthma.
The highest odds ratios for individual VOCs were for benzene (2.9,
2.3 to 3.8), ethylbenzene (2.5, 1.2 to 5.6), and toluene (1.8, 1.4
to 2.4). For every 10 unit increase in the concentration of toluene
and benzene, the risk of having asthma increased by almost two and
three times respectively.
VOCs are commonly found in the home, but there is
insufficient evidence about their concentrations and effects on
health; levels below currently accepted recommendations were found
in this study. Further research in this area is now needed.
Rumchev
K, et al. Thorax 2004;59:746–751.
See
Abstract other side. For full (free)
text, go to:
http://thorax.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/59/9/746
-OVER-
ABSTRACT: Association of Domestic Exposure to Volatile
Organic Compounds With Asthma in Young Children
K Rumchev1, J Spickett1, M
Bulsara2, M Phillips1 and S Stick3
1 School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology,
Perth, WA 6845, Australia
2 University of WA, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine
and Dentistry, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
3 Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Department of Respiratory
Medicine, GPO Box D184, Perth, WA 6001, Australia
Correspondence to: Dr K Rumchev ,
School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth,
WA 6845, Australia; k.rumchev@curtin.edu.au
Aim: To
investigate the association between domestic exposure to volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) and asthma in young children.
Methods: A
population based case-control study was conducted in Perth, Western
Australia in children aged between 6 months and 3 years. Cases (n =
88) were children recruited at Princess Margaret Hospital accident
and emergency department and discharged with asthma as the primary
diagnosis; 104 controls consisted of children from the same age
group without an asthma diagnosis identified through the Health Department
of Western Australia. Information regarding the health status of the
study children and characteristics of the home was collected using a
standardised questionnaire. Exposure to VOCs, average temperature
and relative humidity were measured in winter and summer in the
living room of each participating household.
Results:
Cases were exposed to significantly higher VOC levels (µg/m3)
than controls (p<0.01). Most of the individual VOCs appeared to
be significant risk factors for asthma with the highest odds ratios
for benzene followed by ethylbenzene and toluene. For every 10 unit
increase in the concentration of toluene and benzene (µg/m3)
the risk of having asthma increased by almost two and three times,
respectively.
Conclusions:
Domestic exposure to VOCs at levels below currently accepted
recommendations may increase the risk of childhood asthma.
Measurement of total VOCs may underestimate the risks associated
with individual compounds.
FOR MORE ON ASTHMA & ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS,
AND INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INITIATIVES,
CONTACT:Liberty Goodwin, Director, Toxics Information
Project (TIP),
401-351-9193 orE-Mail: asthma@toxicsinfo.org
. Website: www.toxicsinfo.org