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Kleinbeck S, Wolkoff P. Exposure limits for indoor volatile substances concerning the general population: The role of population-based differences in sensory irritation of the eyes and airways for assessment factors. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:617-662. [PMID: 38243103 PMCID: PMC10861400 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03642-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Assessment factors (AFs) are essential in the derivation of occupational exposure limits (OELs) and indoor air quality guidelines. The factors shall accommodate differences in sensitivity between subgroups, i.e., workers, healthy and sick people, and occupational exposure versus life-long exposure for the general population. Derivation of AFs itself is based on empirical knowledge from human and animal exposure studies with immanent uncertainty in the empirical evidence due to knowledge gaps and experimental reliability. Sensory irritation in the eyes and airways constitute about 30-40% of OELs and is an abundant symptom in non-industrial buildings characterizing the indoor air quality and general health. Intraspecies differences between subgroups of the general population should be quantified for the proposal of more 'empirical' based AFs. In this review, we focus on sensitivity differences in sensory irritation about gender, age, health status, and vulnerability in people, based solely on human exposure studies. Females are more sensitive to sensory irritation than males for few volatile substances. Older people appear less sensitive than younger ones. However, impaired defense mechanisms may increase vulnerability in the long term. Empirical evidence of sensory irritation in children is rare and limited to children down to the age of six years. Studies of the nervous system in children compared to adults suggest a higher sensitivity in children; however, some defense mechanisms are more efficient in children than in adults. Usually, exposure studies are performed with healthy subjects. Exposure studies with sick people are not representative due to the deselection of subjects with moderate or severe eye or airway diseases, which likely underestimates the sensitivity of the group of people with diseases. Psychological characterization like personality factors shows that concentrations of volatile substances far below their sensory irritation thresholds may influence the sensitivity, in part biased by odor perception. Thus, the protection of people with extreme personality traits is not feasible by an AF and other mitigation strategies are required. The available empirical evidence comprising age, lifestyle, and health supports an AF of not greater than up to 2 for sensory irritation. Further, general AFs are discouraged for derivation, rather substance-specific derivation of AFs is recommended based on the risk assessment of empirical data, deposition in the airways depending on the substance's water solubility and compensating for knowledge and experimental gaps. Modeling of sensory irritation would be a better 'empirical' starting point for derivation of AFs for children, older, and sick people, as human exposure studies are not possible (due to ethical reasons) or not generalizable (due to self-selection). Dedicated AFs may be derived for environments where dry air, high room temperature, and visually demanding tasks aggravate the eyes or airways than for places in which the workload is balanced, while indoor playgrounds might need other AFs due to physical workload and affected groups of the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Kleinbeck
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Thiele V, Monsé C, Hoffmeyer F, Brüning T, Bünger J, Sucker K. Indoor Air Quality-An Overview of Methods for Measuring Odor Detection Thresholds of Single Substances. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2023:104108. [PMID: 37393967 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Odor evaluation is an important topic in the field of indoor air quality. Odor detection threshold (ODT) values are used to derive limit values like odor guide values or odor activity value. However, ODT values for the same substance available in compilations or published before 2003 rarely have an accuracy of less than three orders of magnitude. Stimulus preparation, including analytical verification, stimulus presentation, as well as selection and training of test subjects have been identified as major sources of variability. ODT values obtained by validated standardized methods are now considered objective, reliable, and reproducible. They exhibit a variability of one or two orders of magnitude and are lower than traditionally assumed and reported. This review presents the essential criteria for a well-performed ODT determination. It is intended to assist health and safety professionals in assessing whether the methodological approach of a study was appropriate for determining a valid and reliable ODT value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Thiele
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Christinan Monsé
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Frank Hoffmeyer
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bünger
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany
| | - Kirsten Sucker
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
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Liu DT, Besser G, Bayer K, Prem B, Mueller CA, Renner B. Bitter Taste Disrupts Spatial Discrimination of Piperine-Evoked Burning Sensations: A Pilot Study. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10090886. [PMID: 34571763 PMCID: PMC8469466 DOI: 10.3390/biology10090886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The chemical senses smell, taste, and trigeminal sense enable us to interact with the environment and play an essential role in protecting us from hazardous events. It is theorized that capsaicin and piperine not only elicit burning, but also bitter sensations through bitter taste-responding gustatory receptor cells that possess special channels. Similar psychophysiological responses to capsaicin and piperine suggest that bitter taste might also disrupt the spatial discrimination to piperine-induced burning sensations. Results showed that bitter taste disrupted the spatial discrimination of piperine-evoked burning sensations, providing further evidence for a qualitative similarity between burning and bitter sensations and the usefulness of chemical irritants in spatial discrimination tasks. Abstract This study aimed to investigate the perceptual similarity between piperine-induced burning sensations and bitter taste using piperine-impregnated taste strips (PTS). This pilot study included 42 healthy participants. PTS of six ascending concentrations (1 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 25 mg piperine/dL 96% ethanol) were presented at the anterior tongue, and participants rated perceived intensity and duration. Then, participants performed a spatial discrimination task in which they had to report which of the two strips presented to the anterior tongue contained an irritating stimulus when one strip was always a PTS while the other strip was impregnated with either a single taste quality (sweet or bitter) or a blank strip. Repeated measures one-way ANOVA revealed that burning sensations of higher concentrated PTS were perceived more intense and more prolonged compared to lower concentrated PTS. McNemar’s test showed that PTS were identified correctly significantly less often when presented with bitter strips compared to when presented with blank (p = 0.002) or sweet strips (p = 0.017). Our results showed that bitter taste disrupts the spatial discrimination of piperine-evoked burning sensations. PTS might serve as a basis for further studies on disease-specific patterns in chemosensory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T. Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (D.T.L.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.P.)
| | - Gerold Besser
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (D.T.L.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.P.)
| | - Karina Bayer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (D.T.L.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.P.)
| | - Bernhard Prem
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (D.T.L.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.P.)
| | - Christian A. Mueller
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; (D.T.L.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Bertold Renner
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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Wolkoff P, Azuma K, Carrer P. Health, work performance, and risk of infection in office-like environments: The role of indoor temperature, air humidity, and ventilation. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 233:113709. [PMID: 33601136 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological and experimental studies have revealed the effects of the room temperature, indoor air humidity, and ventilation on human health, work and cognitive performance, and risk of infection. In this overview, we integrate the influence of these important microclimatic parameters and assess their influence in offices based on literature searches. The dose-effect curves of the temperature describe a concave shape. Low temperature increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and elevated temperature increases the risk of acute non-specific symptoms, e.g., dry eyes, and respiratory symptoms. Cognitive and work performance is optimal between 22 °C and 24 °C for regions with temperate or cold climate, but both higher and lower temperatures may deteriorate the performances and learning efficiency. Low temperature may favor virus viability, however, depending on the status of the physiological tissue in the airways. Low indoor air humidity causes vulnerable eyes and airways from desiccation and less efficient mucociliary clearance. This causes elevation of the most common mucous membrane-related symptoms, like dry and tired eyes, which deteriorates the work performance. Epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies support that intervention of dry indoor air conditions by humidification alleviates symptoms of dry eyes and airways, fatigue symptoms, less complaints about perceived dry air, and less compromised work performance. Intervention of dry air conditions by elevation of the indoor air humidity may be a non-pharmaceutical treatment of the risk of infection by reduced viability and transport of influenza virus. Relative humidity between 40 and 60% appears optimal for health, work performance, and lower risk of infection. Ventilation can reduce both acute and chronic health outcomes and improve work performance, because the exposure is reduced by the dilution of the indoor air pollutants (including pathogens, e.g., as virus droplets), and in addition to general emission source control strategies. Personal control of ventilation appears an important factor that influences the satisfaction of the thermal comfort due to its physical and positive psychological impact. However, natural ventilation or mechanical ventilation can become sources of air pollutants, allergens, and pathogens of outdoor or indoor origin and cause an increase in exposure. The "health-based ventilation rate" in a building should meet WHO's air quality guidelines and dilute human bio-effluent emissions to reach an acceptable perceived indoor air quality. Ventilation is a modifying factor that should be integrated with both the indoor air humidity and the room temperature in a strategic joint control to satisfy the perceived indoor air quality, health, working performance, and minimize the risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Kenichi Azuma
- Dept Environmental Medicine and Behavioral Science, Kindai University, Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Paolo Carrer
- Dept Biomedical and Clinical Sciences "L. Sacco", University of Milan, 20157, Milan, Italy.
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Pain Perception, Brain Connectivity, and Neurochemistry in Healthy, Capsaicin-Sensitive Subjects. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:9125913. [PMID: 33178262 PMCID: PMC7644335 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9125913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Most of the occupational exposure limits (OELs) are based on local irritants. However, exposure to much lower concentrations of irritant substances can also lead to health complaints from workers. Exposure to irritants is often accompanied by strong unpleasant odors, and strong odors might have distracting effects and hence pose a safety risk. The findings obtained in human exposure studies with chemically sensitive, stressed, or anxious persons suggest that their ability to direct attention away from the odorous exposure and to focus on a cognitive task is reduced. In addition, after repeated odor exposure, these persons show signs of sensitization, i.e., difficulties in ignoring or getting used to the exposure. The question arises as to whether certain health conditions are accompanied by a change in sensitivity to odors and irritants, so that these persons are potentially more distracted by odors and irritants and therefore more challenged in working memory tasks than nonsusceptible persons. In our study, susceptible persons with sensory airway hyperreactivity ("capsaicin-sensitive") respond more strongly to mechanical skin stimuli than controls and show altered network connectivity. Capsaicin-sensitive subjects have a lower pain threshold and thus are more sensitive to mechanical skin stimuli. The intrinsic functional connectivity of their saliency network is higher, and the lower the GABAergic tone of the thalamus, the higher their pain sensitivity to mechanical stimuli. It seems that the increased communication between resting-state networks promotes a stronger perception of the sensory input signal. The results can be used to inform about actual risks (i.e., attention diversion and increased risk of accidents) and "pseudo" risks such as odor perception without a negative impact on one's well-being. This way, uncertainties that still prevail in the health assessment of odorous and sensory irritating chemicals could be reduced.
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Herbig B, Jörres RA, Schierl R, Simon M, Langner J, Seeger S, Nowak D, Karrasch S. Psychological and cognitive effects of laser printer emissions: A controlled exposure study. INDOOR AIR 2018; 28:112-124. [PMID: 28960517 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The possible impact of ultrafine particles from laser printers on human health is controversially discussed although there are persons reporting substantial symptoms in relation to these emissions. A randomized, single-blinded, cross-over experimental design with two exposure conditions (high-level and low-level exposure) was conducted with 23 healthy subjects, 14 subjects with mild asthma, and 15 persons reporting symptoms associated with laser printer emissions. To separate physiological and psychological effects, a secondary physiologically based categorization of susceptibility to particle effects was used. In line with results from physiological and biochemical assessments, we found no coherent, differential, or clinically relevant effects of different exposure conditions on subjective complaints and cognitive performance in terms of attention, short-term memory, and psychomotor performance. However, results regarding the psychological characteristics of participants and their situational perception confirm differences between the participants groups: Subjects reporting symptoms associated with laser printer emissions showed a higher psychological susceptibility for adverse reactions in line with previous results on persons with multiple chemical sensitivity or idiopathic environmental intolerance. In conclusion, acute psychological and cognitive effects of laser printer emissions were small and could be attributed only to different participant groups but not to differences in exposure conditions in terms of particle number concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Herbig
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - R A Jörres
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - R Schierl
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Simon
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - J Langner
- Division Materials and Air Pollutants, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - S Seeger
- Division Materials and Air Pollutants, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany
| | - D Nowak
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - S Karrasch
- Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M), Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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Nielsen GD, Wolkoff P. Evaluation of airborne sensory irritants for setting exposure limits or guidelines: A systematic approach. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2017; 90:308-317. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2017.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Wolkoff P, Nielsen GD. Comment on: "Human symptom responses to bioeffluents, short-chain carbonyl/acids and long-chain carbonyls in a simulated aircraft cabin environment" by Weisel et al., Indoor Air (2017). INDOOR AIR 2017; 27:1224-1225. [PMID: 29024111 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - G D Nielsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Wolkoff P, Nielsen GD. Effects by inhalation of abundant fragrances in indoor air - An overview. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 101:96-107. [PMID: 28126407 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Odorous compounds (odors) like fragrances may cause adverse health effects. To assess their importance by inhalation, we have reviewed how the four major abundant and common airborne fragrances (α-pinene (APN), limonene (LIM), linalool (LIL), and eugenol (EUG)) impact the perceived indoor air quality as odor annoyance, sensory irritation and sensitization in the airways. Breathing and cardiovascular effects, and work performance, and the impact in the airways of ozone-initiated gas- and particle phase reactions products have also been assessed. Measured maximum indoor concentrations for APN, LIM and LIL are close to or above their odor thresholds, but far below their thresholds for sensory irritation in the eyes and upper airways; no information could be traced for EUG. Likewise, reported risk values for long-term effects are far above reported indoor concentrations. Human exposure studies with mixtures of APN and LIM and supported by animal inhalation models do not support sensitization of the airways at indoor levels by inhalation that include other selected fragrances. Human exposure studies, in general, indicate that reported lung function effects are likely due to the perception rather than toxic effects of the fragrances. In general, effects on the breathing rate and mood by exposure to the fragrances are inconclusive. The fragrances may increase the high-frequency heart rate variability, but aerosol exposure during cleaning activities may result in a reduction. Distractive effects influencing the work performance by fragrance/odor exposure are consistently reported, but their persistence over time is unknown. Mice inhalation studies indicate that LIM or its reaction mixture may possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is insufficient information that ozone-initiated reactions with APN or LIM at typical indoor levels cause airway effects in humans. Limited experimental information is available on long-term effects of ozone-initiated reaction products of APN and LIM at typical indoor levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Gunnar D Nielsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Nordin S, Aldrin L, Claeson AS, Andersson L. Effects of Negative Affectivity and Odor Valence on Chemosensory and Symptom Perception and Perceived Ability to Focus on a Cognitive Task. Perception 2017; 46:431-446. [DOI: 10.1177/0301006616686990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The aim was to gain understanding for the impact of negative affectivity (NA) and odor valance on perceptual aspects during low-level odorous exposure. Fifty-five young adults who were either relatively low or high in NA (anxiety, depression, and somatization) were randomized for exposure to either limonene (pleasant odor) or pyridine (unpleasant odor). In an exposure chamber, they took part in baseline, blank and stable exposure sessions, during which they rated odor intensity, impact on ability to focus on an imagined cognitive task, and intensity of symptoms. The results showed higher ratings of negative impact on ability to focus during exposure to the unpleasant odor compared with the pleasant odor, and an association between NA and symptom intensity, with 18% of the variance in symptom intensity explained by somatization. The association between NA and symptom intensity was found to be driven by the factor sex. These results imply (a) that prior findings of odorous exposure that interfere negatively with work performance may be due to impact of an unpleasant odor on ability to focus on cognitive tasks and (b) that there are associations between NA, sex, and symptoms that may partly be referred to attentiveness to and interpretation of bodily sensations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lina Aldrin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Sweden
| | | | - Linus Andersson
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Sweden
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Claeson AS, Lind N. Human exposure to acrolein: Time-dependence and individual variation in eye irritation. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 45:20-27. [PMID: 27235799 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2016.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to examine the time dependence on sensory irritation detection following exposure to threshold levels of acrolein, in humans. The exposures occurred in an exposure chamber and the subjects were breathing fresh air through a mask that covered the nose and mouth. All participants participated in four exposure conditions, of which three consisted of a mixture of acrolein and heptane and one of only heptane. Exposure to acrolein at a concentration half of the TLV-C lead to sensory irritation. The perceived sensory irritation resulted in both increased detectability and sensory irritation after about 6.8min of exposure in 58% of the participants. The study confirm the previously suggested LOAEL of about 0.34mg/m(3) for eye irritation due to acrolein exposure. The sensory irritation was still significant 10min after exposure. These results have implications for risk assessment and limit setting in occupational hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina Lind
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
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12
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Andersson L, Claeson AS, Dantoft TM, Skovbjerg S, Lind N, Nordin S. Chemosensory perception, symptoms and autonomic responses during chemical exposure in multiple chemical sensitivity. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2015; 89:79-88. [PMID: 25917753 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-015-1053-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a prevalent medically unexplained symptom characterized by symptom reactions to everyday chemical exposure below hygienic thresholds. The aim of this study was to investigate the expressions of hyper-reactivity in MCS during whole-body exposure to low concentrations of the odorant n-butanol. METHODS We exposed 18 participants with MCS and 18 non-ill controls to a low concentration of the odorant n-butanol using an exposure chamber. The first 10 min constituted blank exposure, after which the n-butanol concentration increased and reached a plateau at 11.5 mg/m(3). RESULTS MCS participants, compared with controls, reported greater perceived odor intensities, more unpleasantness to the exposure and increasing symptoms over time. MCS participants also expressed higher pulse rate and lower pulse rate variability than controls did. No group differences were found for breathing rate or tonic electrodermal activity responses. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that MCS sufferers differ from healthy controls in terms of autonomic responses, symptoms and chemosensory perception during chemical exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Andersson
- Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Johan Bures Väg 13, 907 36, Umeå, Sweden.
| | | | - Thomas Meinertz Dantoft
- Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Ledreborg Allé 40, 2, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark. .,Department of Systems Biology, Center for Biological Sequence Analysis, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Building 208, 2800, Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Sine Skovbjerg
- Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Ledreborg Allé 40, 2, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark.
| | - Nina Lind
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.
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Wells J, Ham JE. A new agent for derivatizing carbonyl species used to investigate limonene ozonolysis. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT (OXFORD, ENGLAND : 1994) 2014; 99:519-526. [PMID: 30100808 PMCID: PMC6084802 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A new method for derivatizing carbonyl compounds is presented. The conversion of a series of dicarbonyls to oximes in aqueous solution and from gas-phase sampling was achieved using O-tert-butyl-hydroxylamine hydrochloride (TBOX). Some advantages of using this derivatization agent include: aqueous reactions, lower molecular weight oximes, and shortened oxime-formation reaction time. Additionally, the TBOX derivatization technique was used to investigate the carbonyl reaction products from limonene ozonolysis. With ozone (O3) as the limiting reagent, four carbonyl compounds were detected: 7-hydroxy-6-oxo-3-(prop-1-en-2-yl)heptanal; 3-Isopropenyl-6-oxoheptanal (IPOH), 3-acetyl-6-oxoheptanal (3A6O) and one carbonyl of unknown structure. Using cyclohexane as a hydroxyl (OH•) radical scavenger, the relative yields (peak area) of the unknown carbonyl, IPOH, and 3A6O were reduced indicating the influence secondary OH radicals have on limonene ozonolysis products. The relative yield of the hydroxy-dicarbonyl based on the chromatogram was unchanged suggesting it is only made by the limonene + O3 reaction. The detection of 3A6O using TBOX highlights the advantages of a smaller molecular weight derivatization agent for the detection of multi-carbonyl compounds. The use of TBOX derivatization if combined with other derivatization agents may address a recurring need to simply and accurately detect multi-functional oxygenated species in air.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.R. Wells
- Exposure Assessment Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Jason E. Ham
- Exposure Assessment Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
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Mayer S. Die gesundheitliche Relevanz von Innenraumbelastungen — Die Bedeutung von Gerüchen. ZENTRALBLATT FÜR ARBEITSMEDIZIN, ARBEITSSCHUTZ UND ERGONOMIE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/bf03350877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Maier A, Vincent M, Hack E, Nance P, Ball W. Derivation of an occupational exposure limit for inorganic borates using a weight of evidence approach. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 68:424-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Juran SA, van Thriel C, Kleinbeck S, Schäper M, Falkenstein M, Iregren A, Johanson G. Electrophysiological Correlates of Impaired Response Inhibition During Inhalation of Propionic Acid. J PSYCHOPHYSIOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1027/0269-8803/a000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Chemosensory stimulation can impair cognitive processing, which we demonstrated previously in human volunteers who showed reduced behavioral accuracy in a go/nogo flanker task during 4-hr, whole-body exposure to 10 ppm propionic acid but not during 0.3 or 5 ppm exposures ( Hey et al., 2009 ). Now we investigated event-related potentials (ERP) in a subgroup of six male volunteers from the same study to identify which cognitive processes were sensitive to propionic acid exposure. The ERP subgroup showed the same increases in chemosensory perceptions and error rate during 10 ppm exposure as the whole group. In addition several exposure-related effects were seen in the ERPs: first there were effects of the absolute level of exposure on ERP components related to inhibition (nogo-P3) and conscious error perception (late PE). We assume that the unpleasant smell of propionic acid mediates these effects. Second, there were effects related to the variability of exposure on components related to processing in conflict and error trials (N2 and error-P3). We assume that exposure variability disturbs processing especially in critical task situations such as conflict and errors. From our results we conclude that ERPs are a valuable tool to examine chemosensory mediated impairment on different cognitive processing states and their neural substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Anja Juran
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Work Environment Toxicology, Stockholm, Sweden
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Chemosensation, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Christoph van Thriel
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Chemosensation, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stefan Kleinbeck
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Chemosensation, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Michael Schäper
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Chemosensation, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Michael Falkenstein
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Aging and CNS Alterations, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Anders Iregren
- Swedish Work Environment Authority, Toxicological Risk Assessment, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gunnar Johanson
- Karolinska Institutet, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Work Environment Toxicology, Stockholm, Sweden
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Juran SA, van Thriel C, Kleinbeck S, Schäper M, Falkenstein M, Iregren A, Johanson G. Neurobehavioral performance in human volunteers during inhalation exposure to the unpleasant local irritant cyclohexylamine. Neurotoxicology 2012; 33:1180-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2012.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 06/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wolkoff P. Indoor air pollutants in office environments: assessment of comfort, health, and performance. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2012; 216:371-94. [PMID: 22954455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2012.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Revised: 07/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in office environments are generally too low to cause sensory irritation in the eyes and airways on the basis of estimated thresholds for sensory irritation. Furthermore, effects in the lungs, e.g. inflammatory effects, have not been substantiated at indoor relevant concentrations. Some VOCs, including formaldehyde, in combination may under certain environmental and occupational conditions result in reported sensory irritation. The odour thresholds of several VOCs are low enough to influence the perceived air quality that result in a number of acute effects from reported sensory irritation in eyes and airways and deterioration of performance. The odour perception (air quality) depends on a number of factors that may influence the odour impact. There is neither clear indication that office dust particles may cause sensory effects, even not particles spiked with glucans, aldehydes or phthalates, nor lung effects; some inflammatory effects may be observed among asthmatics. Ozone-initiated terpene reaction products may be of concern in ozone-enriched environments (≥0.1mg/m(3)) and elevated limonene concentrations, partly due to the production of formaldehyde. Ambient particles may cause cardio-pulmonary effects, especially in susceptible people (e.g. elderly and sick people); even, short-term effects, e.g. from traffic emission and candle smoke may possibly have modulating and delayed effects on the heart, but otherwise adverse effects in the airways and lung functions have not been observed. Secondary organic aerosols generated in indoor ozone-initiated terpene reactions appear not to cause adverse effects in the airways; rather the gaseous products are relevant. Combined exposure to particles and ozone may evoke effects in subgroups of asthmatics. Based on an analysis of thresholds for odour and sensory irritation selected compounds are recommended for measurements to assess the indoor air quality and to minimize reports of irritation symptoms, deteriorated performance, and cardiovascular and pulmonary effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Green BG. Chemesthesis and the chemical senses as components of a "chemofensor complex". Chem Senses 2011; 37:201-6. [PMID: 22210122 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjr119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An important function of the chemical senses is to warn against dangerous biological and chemical agents in the environment. The discovery in recent years of "taste" receptor cells outside the oral cavity that appear to have protective functions has raised new questions about the nature and scope of the chemical senses in general and of chemesthesis in particular. The present paper briefly reviews these findings within the context of what is currently known about the body's chemically sensitive protective mechanisms, including nonsensory processes that help to expel or neutralize threatening agents once they have been encountered. It is proposed that this array of defense mechanisms constitutes a "chemofensor complex" in which chemesthesis is the most ubiquitous, functionally diverse, and interactive chemosensory component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry G Green
- The John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, CT 06519, USA.
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Wang T, Sattayatewa C, Venkatesan D, Noll KE, Pagilla KR, Moschandreas DJ. Comparison of two dynamic measurement methods of odor and odorant emission rates from freshly dewatered biosolids. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 13:1746-52. [DOI: 10.1039/c1em10184f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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21
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Wolkoff P. Ocular discomfort by environmental and personal risk factors altering the precorneal tear film. Toxicol Lett 2010; 199:203-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2010] [Revised: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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22
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Wolkoff P, Nielsen GD. Non-cancer effects of formaldehyde and relevance for setting an indoor air guideline. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2010; 36:788-799. [PMID: 20557934 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2010.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2010] [Accepted: 05/25/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
There is considerable recent focus and concern about formaldehyde (FA). We have reviewed the literature on FA with focus on chemosensory perception in the airways and lung effects in indoor environments. Concentrations of FA, both personal and stationary, are on average in the order of 0.05 mg/m(3) or less in Europe and North America with the exception of new housing or buildings with extensive wooden surfaces, where the concentration may exceed 0.1 mg/m(3). With the eye the most sensitive organ, subjective irritation is reported at 0.3-0.5 mg/m(3), which is somewhat higher than reported odour thresholds. Objective effects in the eyes and airways occur around 0.6-1 mg/m(3). Dose-response relationships between FA and lung function effects have not been found in controlled human exposure studies below 1 mg/m(3), and epidemiological associations between FA concentrations and exacerbation of asthma in children and adults are encumbered by complex exposures. Neither experimental nor epidemiological studies point to major differences in susceptibility to FA among children, elderly, and asthmatics. People with personal trait of negative affectivity may report more symptoms. An air quality guideline of 0.1 mg/m(3) (0.08 ppm) is considered protective against both acute and chronic sensory irritation in the airways in the general population assuming a log normal distribution of nasal sensory irritation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peder Wolkoff
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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