How Federal and State Regulatory Systems Perpetuate Environmental Injustice in the United States: Industrial Ethylene Oxide Emissions as a Case Study

Volatile organic compounds: A threat to the environment and health hazards to living organisms - A review

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the organic compounds having a minimum vapor pressure of 0.13 kPa at standard temperature and pressure (293 K, 101 kPa). Being used as a solvent for organic and inorganic compounds, they have a wide range of applications. Most of the VOCs are non-biodegradable and very easily become component of the environment and deplete its purity. It also deteriorates the water quality index of the water bodies, impairs the physiology of living beings, enters the food chain by bio-magnification and degrades, decomposes and manipulates the physiology of living organisms. To unveil the adverse impacts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their rapid eruption and interference in the living world, a review has been designed. This review presents an insight into the currently available VOCs, their sources, applications, sampling methods, analytic procedures, imposition on the health of aquatic and terrestrial communities and their contamination of the environment. Elaboration has been done on representation of toxicological effects of VOCs on vertebrates, invertebrates, and birds. Subsequently, the role of environmental agencies in the protection of environment has also been illustrated.

Integrative literature review: Ethylene oxide exposure signs and symptoms

BACKGROUND

Although ethylene oxide (EtO) gas is designated as a human carcinogen, extant literature reports mixed findings on the health effects of exposure. The disparate findings may reflect industry bias as many studies were funded by a large chemical industry lobby.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct an integrative review of studies free from industry bias to facilitate compilation of a comprehensive list of reported signs and symptoms of EtO exposure.

METHODS

We reviewed 1887 papers of which 42 articles met inclusion criteria. The authors conducted this review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The presence of bias was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists.

RESULTS

Non-industry biased literature confirmed serious adverse health effects associated with EtO exposure at the occupational, hospital, and community level. EtO represents a carcinogen, neurotoxin, and respiratory irritant.

CONCLUSION

After removal of industry-biased studies, EtO was unequivocally found to pose a threat to human health. There remains a gap in the number of studies examining community-level exposure, which is essential to understanding the impact of EtO. Given that EtO-emitting facilities are concentrated in diverse and disadvantaged communities, further study of EtO exposure health effects is warranted to inform public policy on toxic air emissions.