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Krakowka WI, Luo J, Craver A, Pinto JM, Ahsan H, Olopade CS, Aschebrook-Kilfoy B. Household air pollution disparities between socioeconomic groups in Chicago. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 6:091002. [PMID: 39238838 PMCID: PMC11373614 DOI: 10.1088/2515-7620/ad6d3f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Purpose: To assess household air pollution levels in urban Chicago households and examine how socioeconomic factors influence these levels. Methods: We deployed wireless air monitoring devices to 244 households in a diverse population in Chicago to continuously record household fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration. We calculated hourly average PM2.5 concentration in a 24-hour cycle. Four factors-race, household income, area deprivation, and exposure to smoking-were considered in this study. Results: A total of 93085 h of exposure data were recorded. The average household PM2.5 concentration was 43.8 μg m-3. We observed a significant difference in the average household PM2.5 concentrations between Black/African American and non-Black/African American households (46.3 versus 31.6 μg m-3), between high-income and low-income households (18.2 versus 52.5 μg m-3), and between smoking and non-smoking households (69.7 versus 29.0 μg m-3). However, no significant difference was observed between households in less and more deprived areas (43.7 versus 43.0 μg m-3). Implications: Household air pollution levels in Chicago households are much higher than the recommended level, challenging the hypothesis that household air quality is adequate for populations in high income nations. Our results indicate that it is the personal characteristics of participants, rather than the macro environments, that lead to observed differences in household air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Isaac Krakowka
- Institute for Population and Precision Health, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Jiajun Luo
- Institute for Population and Precision Health, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Andrew Craver
- Institute for Population and Precision Health, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Jayant M Pinto
- Department of Surgery, Pritzker School of Medicine, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Habibul Ahsan
- Institute for Population and Precision Health, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
- Departments of Family Medicine and Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Christopher S Olopade
- Departments of Family Medicine and Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
| | - Briseis Aschebrook-Kilfoy
- Institute for Population and Precision Health, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
- Departments of Family Medicine and Medicine, Pritzker School of Medicine, the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division, Chicago, United States of America
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Shen Q, Liu Y, Li G, An T. A review of disrupted biological response associated with volatile organic compound exposure: Insight into identification of biomarkers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174924. [PMID: 39047835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are widespread harmful atmospheric pollutants, which have long been concerned and elucidated to be one of the risks of acute and chronic diseases for human, such as leukemia and cancer. Although numerous scientific studies have documented the potential adverse outcomes caused by VOC exposure, the mechanisms which biological response pathways of these VOC disruption remain poorly understood. Therefore, the identification of biochemical markers associated with metabolism, health effects and diseases orientation can be an effective means of screening biological targets for VOC exposure, which provide evidences to the toxicity assessment of compounds. The current review aims to understand the mechanisms underlying VOCs-elicited adverse outcomes by charactering various types of biomarkers. VOCs-related biomarkers from three aspects were summarized through in vitro, animal and epidemiological studies. i) Unmetabolized and metabolized VOC biomarkers in human samples for assessing exposure characteristics in different communities; ii) Adverse endpoint effects related biomarkers, mainly including (anti)oxidative stress, inflammation response and DNA damage; iii) Omics-based molecular biomarkers alteration in gene, protein, lipid and metabolite aspects associated with biological signaling pathway disorders response to VOC exposure. Further research, advanced machine learning and bioinformation approaches combined with experimental results are urgently needed to ascertain the selection of biomarkers and further illuminate toxic mechanisms of VOC exposure. Finally, VOCs-induced disease causes can be predicted with proven results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyong Shen
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yalin Liu
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guiying Li
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Taicheng An
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Contaminants Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Health Risk Control, Institute of Environmental Health and Pollution Control, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Photocatalytic Technology Integration and Equipment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Catalysis and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Lakestani S. Volatile organic compounds and cancer risk assessment in an intensive care unit. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00484-024-02701-w. [PMID: 39023743 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-024-02701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Changes caused by air-cleaning devices in the amounts of volatile organic compounds in an intensive care unit were monitored in the study. The cancer risk and hazard index were calculated. The measurements were made for one month at isolated room and two different points and times in the intensive care unit. According to the sampling program, the air-cleaning devices were turned off in weeks 1 and 4 and turned on in weeks 2 and 3. Volatile organic compounds were collected by active sampling. Samples were analyzed by a thermal desorber coupled to a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrument with selective ion monitoring. The results showed that the concentrations of benzene, toluene, and o-xylene decreased by about 70% after the air-cleaning devices were installed. The cancer risk assessment for naphthalene was recorded at the highest level of cancer risk (Class A). The hazard index value of naphthalene was recorded at the harmful level when air-cleaning devices were not installed. The concentrations of benzene (p = 0.01), toluene (p = 0.02), ethylbenzene (p = 0.02), styrene (p = 0.01), and m, p-xylene (p = 0.04) before the air-cleaning devices were installed were significantly different from those recorded when the air-cleaning devices were turned on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Lakestani
- Scientific Industrial and Technological Application and Research Center, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, 14030, Golkoy, Bolu, Turkey.
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Rivenbark KJ, Lilly K, Wang M, Tamamis P, Phillips TD. Green-engineered clay- and carbon-based composite materials for the adsorption of benzene from air. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2024; 12:111836. [PMID: 38576544 PMCID: PMC10993424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2023.111836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Benzene is a carcinogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) that is ubiquitously detected in enclosed spaces due to emissions from cooking activities, building materials, and cleaning products. To remove benzene and other VOCs from indoor air and protect public health, traditional fabric filters have been modified to contain activated carbons to enhance the filtration efficacy. In this study, composites derived from natural clay minerals and activated carbon were individually green-engineered with chlorophylls and were attached to the surface of filter materials. These systems were assessed for their adsorption of benzene from air using in vitro and in silico methods. Isothermal, thermodynamic, and kinetic experiments indicated that all green-engineered composites had improved binding profiles for benzene, as demonstrated by increased binding affinities (Kf ≥ 900 vs 472) and lower values of Gibbs free energy (ΔG = -16.8 vs -15.2) compared to activated carbon. Adsorption of benzene to all composites was achieved quickly (< 30 min), and the green-engineered composites also showed low levels of desorption (≤ 25%). While free chlorophyll is known to be photosensitive, chlorophylls in the green-engineered composites showed photostability and maintained high binding rates (≥ 70%). Additionally, the in silico simulations demonstrated the significant contribution of chlorophyll for the overall binding of benzene in clay systems and that chlorophyll could contribute to benzene binding in the carbon-based systems. Together, these studies indicated that novel, green-engineered composite materials can be effective filter sorbents to enhance the removal of benzene from air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J. Rivenbark
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Kendall Lilly
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Meichen Wang
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Phanourios Tamamis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
- Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Timothy D. Phillips
- Interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Uchiyama S, Noguchi M, Hishiki M, Shimizu M, Kunugita N, Isobe T, Nakayama SF. Long-term monitoring of indoor, outdoor, and personal exposure to gaseous chemical compounds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167830. [PMID: 37838061 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal variations of chemical compounds in indoor air and outdoor air and personal exposure to these chemicals were continuously monitored for 6 years using four types of passive sampling devices: PSD-BPE/DNPH packed with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and trans-1,2-bis(2-pyridyl)ethylene coated silica for ozone and carbonyls; PSD-VOC packed with Carboxen 572 or Active Carbon Beads particles for volatile organic compounds; PSD-TEA packed with triethanolamine impregnated silica for acid gases; and PSD-TEA packed with phosphoric acid impregnated silica for basic gases. Many chemical compounds except for nitrogen dioxide, formic acid, and benzene showed seasonal variations with high concentrations in summer and low concentrations in winter. In particular, formaldehyde, nonanal, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate, and ammonia concentrations showed remarkable seasonal variation. For example, the concentration of formaldehyde in February and August was 5.9 and 40 μg/m3, respectively, a difference of about 7 times. Although there were large differences in the concentrations in each house, the fluctuation pattern was almost the same every year in each house. By contrast, nitrogen dioxide, formic acid, and benzene concentrations were low in summer and high in winter. These compounds were generated by kerosine and gas stoves in winter. Long-term continuous monitoring revealed that annual mean concentrations could be estimated using data from February and August. Personal exposure concentrations could be classified into four patterns: chemicals affected by the indoor environment such as formaldehyde, chemicals affected by the outdoor environment such as ozone, chemicals affected by the occupational environment such as hexane, and background level chemicals such as benzene (without kerosine and gas stoves). Indoor and outdoor measurements are means to investigate the "health" of each environment. Personal exposure measurement using PSD-samplers is suitable for assessing the health risk of chemical compounds to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigehisa Uchiyama
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, 2-3-6, Minami, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0197, Japan.
| | - Mayumi Noguchi
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Mayu Hishiki
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, Hyakunincho, 3-24-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan
| | - Moka Shimizu
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Naoki Kunugita
- School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1, Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu-shi, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Isobe
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Program Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Program Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
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Rao A, Rungta N, Nandini M, Unnikrishnan B, Shenoy R, Rao A, Shetty MK. Effect of educational intervention in reducing exposure to second hand tobacco smoke among 12-year-old children as determined by their salivary cotinine levels and knowledge, attitude and behavior - a randomized controlled trial. FRONTIERS IN ORAL HEALTH 2023; 4:1277307. [PMID: 37842016 PMCID: PMC10569313 DOI: 10.3389/froh.2023.1277307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tobacco use is one of the most important public health concerns, with approximately 8.7 million tobacco-related deaths each year, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. Even more concerning is the fact that 1.3 million of these deaths are seen in nonsmokers, including babies and children. This study was performed to determine whether a school-based "tobacco-free" educational intervention program among 12-year-old children would be effective in reducing their exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) by improving their knowledge, attitude and behavior post intervention and estimating salivary cotinine levels as markers of SHS exposure. Materials and method A randomized controlled trial was performed by a cluster random sampling technique, with 30 participants each in the experimental and control arms. A knowledge, attitude, avoidance behavior and self-efficacy of avoidance questionnaire was administered, followed by estimation of salivary cotinine levels. The experimental arm received the "tobacco-free" intervention, which comprised a 40-min health education session, with the first follow-up at 15 days and the second at 30 days after the intervention. After the intervention, the questionnaire was readministered, followed by re-estimation of salivary cotinine levels. Results One month after the intervention, the number of participants who had a smoker who lived with them and the number of people who smoked inside the house were reduced in the experimental group compared to the control group. In the knowledge domain and the attitude domain, 80% and 60% of the items showed a statistically significant improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. In the avoidance behavior domain and the Self-Efficacy of Avoidance Domain, all the items showed improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group. When the mean salivary cotinine levels were compared pre- and postintervention, it was found that although the mean postintervention salivary cotinine levels increased in both the experimental and control groups, the increase was less in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusion The present study has been shown to be effective in improving the knowledge, attitude and avoidance behavior of adolescents toward exposure to secondhand smoke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Rao
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Nikita Rungta
- University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - M. Nandini
- Department of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - B. Unnikrishnan
- Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Ramya Shenoy
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Arathi Rao
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Mranali K. Shetty
- Department of Periodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
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Gurrani S, Prakasham K, Huang PC, Wu MT, Wu CF, Lin YC, Tsai B, Krishnan A, Tsai PC, Ponnusamy VK. Simultaneous biomonitoring of volatile organic compounds' metabolites in human urine samples using a novel in-syringe based fast urinary metabolites extraction (FaUMEx) technique coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 329:138667. [PMID: 37059207 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the impact of human exposure to environmental toxicants is often crucial to biomonitoring the exposed dose. In this work, we report a novel fast urinary metabolites extraction (FaUMEx) technique coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS analysis for the highly sensitive and simultaneous biomonitoring of the five major urinary metabolites (thiodiglycolic acid, s-phenylmercapturic acid, t,t-muconic acid, mandelic acid, and phenyl glyoxylic acid) of common volatile organic compounds' (VOCs) exposure (vinyl chloride, benzene, styrene, and ethylbenzene) in human. FaUMEx technique comprises of two-steps, liquid-liquid microextraction was performed first in an extraction syringe using 1 mL of methanol (pH 3) as an extraction solvent and then, the extractant was passed through a clean-up syringe (pre-packed-with various sorbents including 500 mg anhydrous MgSO4, 50 mg C18, and 50 mg SiO2) to obtain the high order of matrice clean-up and preconcentration efficiency. The developed method displayed excellent linearity, and the correlation coefficients were >0.998 for all the target metabolites with detection and quantification limits of 0.02-0.24 ng mL-1 and 0.05-0.72 ng mL-1, respectively. Furthermore, the matrix effects were < ±5%, and inter and intra-day precision were <9%. Moreover, the presented method was applied and validated to real sample analysis for biomonitoring of VOC's exposure levels. The results showed that the developed FaUMEx-UHPLC-MS/MS method is fast, simple, low-cost, low-solvent consumption, high sensitivity with good accuracy and precision for five targeted urinary VOCs' metabolites. Therefore, the presented dual-syringe mode FaUMEx strategy with UHPLC-MS/MS technique can be applied to biomonitoring of various urinary metabolites to assess human exposure to environmental toxicants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnil Gurrani
- PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan
| | - Karthikeyan Prakasham
- PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chin Huang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes (NHRI), Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tsang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fang Wu
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan; International Master Program of Translational Medicine, College of Engineering and Science, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chia Lin
- Research and Development Division, Great Engineering Technology (GETECH) Corporation, No.392, Yucheng Rd., Zuoying District., Kaohsiung City, 813, Taiwan
| | - Bongee Tsai
- Research and Development Division, Great Engineering Technology (GETECH) Corporation, No.392, Yucheng Rd., Zuoying District., Kaohsiung City, 813, Taiwan
| | - Anbarasu Krishnan
- Department of Computational Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 602105, India
| | - Pei-Chien Tsai
- Department of Computational Biology, Institute of Bioinformatics, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 602105, India; Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- PhD Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan; Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan; Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH), Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan.
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Zhou X, Zhou X, Wang C, Zhou H. Environmental and human health impacts of volatile organic compounds: A perspective review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137489. [PMID: 36513206 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are synthetic chemicals that are broadly used in the production of numerous day-to-day products for residential and commercial-based applications. VOCs are naturally occurring in the environment; however, average annual emissions of man-made volatile organic compounds may have increased dramatically in recent decades. Although many factors were attributed to influencing volatile compounds' emission, only mankind's activities are mainly proclaimed. Since vehicle and industrial pollution are mounting for years and years, urban areas are highly prone to the impacts of VOCs. Generally, volatile compounds are highly spontaneous and readily react with the particles of ambiance and produce a polluted atmosphere through several physical and chemical reactions. Though the volatile compounds play an indispensable role in the manufacture and maintaining the stability of many products, the health impacts associated with their prolonged exposure are gaining attention as recent research reports underline the influence of a wide range of diseases and disorders. Likewise, since the modern way of life applies a lot of day-to-day chemicals, it is imperative to spread a wide knowledge and safety aspects about these chemicals so that people of a wide category can implement preventive measures according to their exposure and living style. In this context, the review article attempts to shed light on past and current updates concerning the relationship between VOCs exposure and environmental and human health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xihe Zhou
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Sinomaple Furnishing (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., 99 Fen an Dong Lu, Wujiang District, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215200, China
| | - Chengming Wang
- Holtrop & Jansma (Qingdao) Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd., 8 Tongshun Road, High-tech District, Qingdao, Shandong, 266114, China
| | - Handong Zhou
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210037, China.
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Sakamoto H, Uchiyama S, Sato A, Isobe T, Kunugita N, Ogura H, Nakayama SF. Health Risk Assessment Based on Exposure to Chemicals in Air. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15813. [PMID: 36497886 PMCID: PMC9735953 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Few studies have investigated personal exposure concentrations of not only some volatile organic compounds but also more types of chemicals including acidic gases and acrolein. We measured the personal exposure concentrations of 35 chemicals including these chemicals in indoor and outdoor air in Chiba-shi, Japan, for 7 days in summer and winter to assess the associated health risks in 22 people. The personal exposure concentrations of nitrogen dioxide were higher in winter than in summer, and those of formaldehyde, p-dichlorobenzene, and tetradecane were higher in summer than in winter. The personal exposure concentrations were mostly equal to or lower than the concentrations in indoor air, contrary to the results of a lot of previous studies. The high-risk chemicals based on personal exposure concentrations were identified as acrolein (max. 0.43 μg/m3), benzene (max. 3.1 μg/m3), and hexane (max. 220 μg/m3) in summer, and acrolein (max. 0.31 μg/m3), nitrogen dioxide (max. 320 μg/m3), benzene (max. 5.2 μg/m3), formic acid (max. 70 μg/m3), and hexane (max. 290 μg/m3) in winter. In addition, we estimated personal exposure concentrations according to the time spent at home and the chemical concentrations in indoor and outdoor air. We found that the estimated concentrations of some participants largely differed from the measured ones indicating that it is difficult to estimate personal exposure concentrations based on only these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironari Sakamoto
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan
| | - Shigehisa Uchiyama
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Ayana Sato
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Isobe
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan
| | - Naoki Kunugita
- School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan
| | - Hironao Ogura
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Shoji F. Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba 305-8506, Japan
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10
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Maung TZ, Bishop JE, Holt E, Turner AM, Pfrang C. Indoor Air Pollution and the Health of Vulnerable Groups: A Systematic Review Focused on Particulate Matter (PM), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Their Effects on Children and People with Pre-Existing Lung Disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148752. [PMID: 35886604 PMCID: PMC9316830 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Air pollution affects health, but much of the focus to this point has been on outdoor air. Higher indoor pollution is anticipated due to increasingly energy-efficient and less leaky buildings together with more indoor activities. Studies of indoor air pollution focusing on children and people with respiratory disease from the database Web of Science (1991–2021) were systemically reviewed according to the PRISMA guidelines, with 69 studies included in the final selection. Emissions from building materials affected indoor air quality, and ventilation also had an influence. The main indoor air pollutants are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Particulate Matter (PM). PM sources included smoking, cooking, heating, candles, and insecticides, whereas sources of coarse particles were pets, housework and human movements. VOC sources included household products, cleaning agents, glue, personal care products, building materials and vehicle emissions. Formaldehyde levels were particularly high in new houses. Personal exposure related to both indoor and outdoor pollutant levels, highlighting home characteristics and air exchange rates as important factors. Temperature, humidity, educational level, air purifiers and time near sources were also related to personal exposure. There was an association between PM and Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), lung function, oxygen saturation, childhood asthma and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. High VOCs were associated with upper airways and asthma symptoms and cancer. Effective interventional studies for PM in the future might focus on human behavior together with air purifiers and increased ventilation, whereas VOC interventions might center more on building materials and household products, alongside purification and ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tun Z. Maung
- UHB NHS Foundation Trust, Inflammation and Aging, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Jack E. Bishop
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.E.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Eleanor Holt
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.E.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Alice M. Turner
- UHB NHS Foundation Trust, Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Christian Pfrang
- School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; (J.E.B.); (E.H.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Influence of Home Indoor Dampness Exposure on Volatile Organic Compounds in Exhaled Breath of Mothers and Their Infants: The NELA Birth Cohort. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12146864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Currently, the effect of exposure to indoor air contaminants and the presence of dampness at home on respiratory/atopic health is of particular concern to physicians. The measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath is a useful approach for monitoring environmental exposures. A great advantage of this strategy is that it allows the study of the impact of pollutants on the metabolism through a non-invasive method. In this paper, the levels of nine VOCs (acetone, isoprene, toluene, p/m-xylene, o-xylene, styrene, benzaldehyde, naphthalene, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol) in the exhaled breath of subjects exposed and not exposed to home dampness were assessed. Exhaled breath samples were collected from 337 mother–child pairs of a birth cohort and analysed by gas-chromatography–mass-spectrometry. It was observed that the levels of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in the exhaled breath of the mothers were significantly influenced by exposure to household humidity. In the case of the infants, differences in some of the VOC levels related to home dampness exposure; however, they did not reach statistical significance. In addition, it was also found that the eosinophil counts of the mothers exposed to home dampness were significantly elevated compared to those of the non-exposed mothers. To our knowledge, these findings show, for the first time, that exposure to home dampness may influence VOC patterns in exhaled breath.
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12
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A Pilot Study to Quantify Volatile Organic Compounds and Their Sources Inside and Outside Homes in Urban India in Summer and Winter during Normal Daily Activities. ENVIRONMENTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/environments9070075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Indian cities have some of the poorest air quality globally but volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—many of which adversely affect health—and their indoor sources remain understudied in India. In this pilot study we quantified hundreds of VOCs inside and outside 26 homes in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in May 2019 and in January 2020. We sampled in the morning and afternoon/evening to capture temporal variability. Total indoor VOCs were measured at higher concentrations in winter (327.0 ± 224.2 µgm−3) than summer (150.1 ± 121.0 µgm−3) and exceeded those measured outdoors. Using variable reduction techniques, we identified potential sources of compounds (cooking, plastics [with an emphasis on plasticizers], consumer products, siloxanes [as used in the production of consumer products], vehicles). Contributions differed by season and between homes. In May, when temperatures were high, plastics contributed substantially to indoor pollution (mean of 42% contribution to total VOCs) as compared to in January (mean of 4%). Indoor cooking and consumer products contributed on average 29% and 10% to all VOCs indoors in January and 16% and 4% in May. Siloxane sources contributed <4% to any home during either season. Cooking contributed substantially to outdoor VOCs (on average 18% in January and 11% in May) and vehicle-related sources accounted for up to 84% of VOCs in some samples. Overall, results indicate a strong seasonal dependence of indoor VOC concentrations and sources, underscoring the need to better understand factors driving health-harming pollutants inside homes to facilitate exposure reductions.
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13
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Exposure to Aerosols Emitted from Common Heating Combustion Sources Indoors—The Jordanian Case as an Example for Eastern Mediterranean Conditions. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13060870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In Jordan, ~61% of total residential energy consumption is consumed by heating spaces using portable kerosene (K) and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) heaters. Here, we evaluated the indoor air quality (IAQ) versus the use of K and LPG heaters inside a test room reflecting the typical conditions of Jordanian dwellings during the winter season. The experimental setup included particle size distribution (diameter 0.01–25 µm) measurements, and we utilized a simple sectional indoor aerosol model (SIAM) to estimate the emission rate and lifetime of the combustion products in the test room. The particle number (PN) concentration during the LPG operation was 6 × 104–5.9 × 105 cm−3, depending on the setting at minimum, medium, or maximum. The K heater operation increased with the PN concentrations to a range of 4 × 105–8 × 105 cm−3. On average, the particle losses were 0.7–1.6 h−1 for micron particles (1–10 µm) and 0.8–0.9 h−1 for ultrafine particles (<0.1 µm). The emission rate from the LPG heater was 1.2 × 1010–2.8 × 1010 particles/s (6.6 × 106–8.0 × 106 particles/J), and that for the K heater was about 4.4 × 1010 particles/s (1.9 × 107 particles/J). The results call for the immediate need to apply interventions to improve the IAQ by turning to cleaner heating processes indoors.
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14
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Bâlon P, Boissard G, Cailleau C, Belbeze S, Hubé D, Vincq C, Brunet JF, Lion F, Zornig C, Coftier A, Ollivier P. Relating mercury occurrence in soil gases at establishments hosting children to historical mercury-using activities in Paris, France. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 814:152388. [PMID: 34915003 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Volatile pollutants from former industrial sites can degrade the buildings' indoor air quality that were built after the industrial activities. Since 2010, environmental assessments have been conducted in French establishments hosting sensitive populations identified as being on or near potentially contaminated former industrial sites. These projects are based on historical studies traditionally carried out as part of managing contaminated sites, to determine which substances should be analyzed. They pinpoint former activities likely to have stored or used pollutants. We show that the historical information collected is not effective in targeting sites with increased probability of mercury being present in soil gases. Environmental history has demonstrated the existence of large-scale artisanal contamination, both prior to and concomitant with the industrial era. Classic historical studies would not take into account artisanal activities, which are less documented than industrial activities. We carried out additional research for three schools located in three different Parisian districts. Although information on activities which could have emitted mercury was relatively imprecise (in terms of location, type and duration of activities) and uncertainties exist about the completeness of the archival documents available, our investigations identified several mercury-using activities that had not been identified during the classic historical study. However, we have shown that the number of activities identified does not provide information on how mercury has affected soil gas. Consequently, although a more extensive historical research improves knowledge about the presence of potential mercury-using activities, our study shows that a systematic analysis of mercury as part of the assessment of establishments hosting sensitive populations remains relevant. This approach should be applied to other cities around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Bâlon
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France.
| | - Geoffrey Boissard
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Claire Cailleau
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Stéphane Belbeze
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Daniel Hubé
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Christian Vincq
- Ministère de la Transition Ecologique (MTE - French Ministry for the Ecological Transition), Tour Sequoia, 92055 La Défense CEDEX, France
| | - Jean-François Brunet
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Fabien Lion
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Clément Zornig
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Aline Coftier
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Patrick Ollivier
- Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM - French Geological Survey), 3 avenue Claude Guillemin, BP 36009 - 45060 Orléans Cedex 2, France
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15
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Kuncoro CBD, Asyikin MBZ, Amaris A. Smart-Autonomous Wireless Volatile Organic Compounds Sensor Node for Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Application. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:2439. [PMID: 35206627 PMCID: PMC8875527 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Several studies reported the significant effect of indoor air quality on human health, safety, productivity, and comfort because most humans usually conduct 80%-90% of their activity inside the building. This is generally due to the fact that indoor pollution is associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollutants with chronic health effects, both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic, on humans. Therefore, this study focused on developing wireless VOCs sensor nodes with a low-power strategy feature to perform an autonomous operation in indoor air quality monitoring (IAQM). The sensor node mainboard consists of a microcontroller-based AVR (ATmega-4808) that supports a low power mode and low-power IAQ-Core sensor for VOCs detection. The low-power sensing algorithm developed also allowed the sensor node to consume a total power of 0.22 mAh for one cycle of operation, which includes the initial process, TVOCs value reading process, data transmitting process, and low power mode process at a time interval of 30 min. The most significant power was observed to be consumed in the data transmitting process with 0.13 mAh or 58% of total power consumption in one cycle of sensor node operation. Furthermore, the 10F capacitance of the supercapacitor was able to drive the VOCs sensor node for 139 s and it was recommended that further studies use micro energy harvesting (from an indoor environment) to extend its lifetime. The 1541-minute field experiment conducted also showed that TVOCs and CO2 values were successfully measured and displayed over an internet connection on the monitoring terminal dashboard. The recorded real-time TVOCs value of 175 ppb (<200 ppb) indicates good air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Bambang Dwi Kuncoro
- Department of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Energy Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan;
| | - Moch Bilal Zaenal Asyikin
- Department of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Energy Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 41170, Taiwan;
| | - Aurelia Amaris
- Department of Informatics Engineering, Faculty of Computer Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia;
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16
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A Review of Field Measurement Studies on Thermal Comfort, Indoor Air Quality and Virus Risk. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13020191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
People spend up to 90% of their time indoors where they continuously interact with the indoor environment. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), and in particular thermal comfort, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and acoustic and visual comfort, have proven to be significant factors that influence the occupants’ health, comfort, productivity and general well-being. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the need for real-life experimental data acquired through field measurement studies to help us understand and potentially control the impact of IEQ on the occupants’ health. In this context, there was a significant increase over the past two decades of field measurement studies conducted all over the world that analyse the IEQ in various indoor environments. In this study, an overview of the most important factors that influence the IAQ, thermal comfort, and the risk of virus transmission is first presented, followed by a comprehensive review of selected field measurement studies from the last 20 years. The main objective is to provide a broad overview of the current status of field measurement studies, to identify key characteristics, common outcomes, correlations, insights, as well as gaps, and to serve as the starting point for conducting future field measurement studies.
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17
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Kang I, McCreery A, Azimi P, Gramigna A, Baca G, Abromitis K, Wang M, Zeng Y, Scheu R, Crowder T, Evens A, Stephens B. Indoor air quality impacts of residential mechanical ventilation system retrofits in existing homes in Chicago, IL. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 804:150129. [PMID: 34798726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mechanical ventilation systems are used in residences to introduce ventilation air and dilute indoor-generated pollutants. A variety of ventilation system types can be used in home retrofits, influencing indoor air quality (IAQ) in different ways. Here we describe the Breathe Easy Project, a >2-year longitudinal, pseudo-randomized, crossover study designed to assess IAQ and adult asthma outcomes before and after installing residential mechanical ventilation systems in 40 existing homes in Chicago, IL. Each home received one of three types of ventilation systems: continuous exhaust-only, intermittent powered central-fan-integrated-supply (CFIS), or continuous balanced system with an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Homes with central heating and/or cooling systems also received MERV 10 filter replacements. Approximately weeklong field measurements were conducted at each home on a quarterly basis throughout the study to monitor environmental conditions, ventilation operation, and indoor and outdoor pollutants, including size-resolved particles (0.3-10 μm), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and indoor formaldehyde (HCHO). Mean reductions in indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios across all systems after the intervention were approximately 12% (p = 0.001), 10% (p = 0.008), 42% (p < 0.001), 39% (p = 0.002), and 33% (p = 0.007), for CO2, NO2, and estimated PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively. There was a reduction in I/O ratios for all measured constituents with each type of system, on average, but with varying magnitude and levels of statistical significance. The magnitudes of mean differences in I/O pollutant concentrations ratios were generally largest for most pollutants in the homes that received continuous balanced with ERV and smallest in the homes that received intermittent CFIS systems, with apparent benefits to providing ventilation continuously rather than intermittently. All ventilation system types maintained similar indoor temperatures during pre- and post-intervention periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insung Kang
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Parham Azimi
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Kari Abromitis
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mingyu Wang
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yicheng Zeng
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | | | - Brent Stephens
- Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL, USA.
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18
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Liu Q, Wan Y, Zhu B, Xie X, Zhu K, Jiang Q, Feng Y, Xiao P, Xiang Z, Wu X, Zhang J, Meng H, Song R. Association between urinary propylene oxide metabolite and the risk of dyslexia. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118469. [PMID: 34752792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although it is a probable human carcinogen, propylene oxide is widely applied in industry and daily life. However, data on neurodevelopmental effects of propylene oxide exposure among children are extremely limited. We aimed to determine the urinary concentrations of propylene oxide metabolite among school-aged children and evaluate the potential association of propylene oxide exposure with risk of dyslexia. A total of 355 dyslexic children and 390 controls were recruited from three cities (Jining, Wuhan, and Hangzhou) in China, between 2017 and 2020. Urinary N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (i.e., 2-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid; 2-HPMA) was measured as the biomarker of propylene oxide exposure. The detection frequency of 2-HPMA was 100%. After adjusting for potential confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for dyslexia per 2-fold increase in urinary 2-HPMA was 1.19 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.01, 1.40, P = 0.042]. Compared with the lowest quartile of urinary 2-HPMA concentrations, children with the highest quartile of 2-HPMA had a 1.63-fold (95% CI: 1.03, 2.56, P = 0.036) significantly increased risk of dyslexia, with a dose-response relationship (P-trend = 0.047). This study provides epidemiological data on the potential association between propylene oxide exposure and the risk of dyslexia in children. Further studies are warranted to confirm the findings and reveal the underlying biological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanjian Wan
- Institute of Environmental Health, Wuhan Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei, 430024, PR China
| | - Bing Zhu
- Hangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310021, China
| | - Xinyan Xie
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kaiheng Zhu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanan Feng
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Pei Xiao
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Zhen Xiang
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xiaoqian Wu
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Heng Meng
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Ranran Song
- Department of Maternal and Child Health and MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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19
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Sakamoto H, Uchiyama S, Isobe T, Kunugita N, Ogura H, Nakayama SF. Spatial Variations of Indoor Air Chemicals in an Apartment Unit and Personal Exposure of Residents. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182111511. [PMID: 34770026 PMCID: PMC8583336 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182111511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) can greatly affect health in people spending much time indoors. However, the influence of IAQ on personal exposure to chemical compounds in Japan remains poorly investigated. Hence, this study aimed to clarify this influence thoroughly within one apartment. We surveyed the concentrations of 61 chemical compounds in the air in nine different spaces within an apartment unit, as well as the personal exposure of two residents in Japan. Using three kinds of diffusive samplers, this study was conducted continuously for 7 days in summer and winter. Health risks were evaluated by calculating the margin of exposure (MOE) using the measured concentrations. Some chemical concentrations showed large spatial variations and the personal exposure concentrations of these compounds also differed among residents. According to the calculated MOE, the chemicals with the highest health risk were acrolein, p-dichlorobenzene, and acetaldehyde in summer and acrolein, nitrogen dioxide, formic acid, p-dichlorobenzene, and benzene in winter. The IAQ of the house could be divided in two, and the IAQ in the space where residents spent much time (i.e., bedroom) highly affected each of the residents' exposure. Investigating chemical concentrations in multiple spaces (including bedroom and living room) is necessary to understand the effect of IAQ on personal exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironari Sakamoto
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (H.S.); (H.O.)
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan; (T.I.); (S.F.N.)
| | - Shigehisa Uchiyama
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (H.S.); (H.O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-43-290-3466
| | - Tomohiko Isobe
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan; (T.I.); (S.F.N.)
| | - Naoki Kunugita
- School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka 807-8555, Japan;
| | - Hironao Ogura
- Faculty and Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; (H.S.); (H.O.)
| | - Shoji F. Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children’s Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan; (T.I.); (S.F.N.)
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20
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Volatile Organic Compounds in Primary Schools in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Characterization and Health Risk Assessment. ATMOSPHERE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12111421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Limited information about exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in primary schools in Vietnam is available. In this study, we aimed to characterize indoor VOCs in four primary schools situated in Ho Chi Minh City, a metropolis in the south of Vietnam and assess health risks linked to the students’ exposure to VOCs. Indoor and outdoor air samples were collected in the schools and analyzed for volatile composition using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Different classes of VOCs, including aromatic hydrocarbons, alkanes, aldehydes, esters, cyclic terpenes, and chlorinated hydrocarbons, were identified and quantified in classrooms of the schools. The results showed that the concentrations of the VOCs differed significantly among the schools and between ground-floor and first floor classrooms. In addition, VOC profiles differed considerably between air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned classrooms. Limonene, a compound associated with fragrance products, was the most abundant VOC, with the median (range) concentration of 26.12 (10.29, 50.08) μg/m3. The concentrations of the compounds examined in the study were in general found to be higher indoors compared with outdoors, signifying indoor emission sources. Potential harmful effects are expected as a result of exposure to benzene, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene and tetrachloroethylene in the investigated schools. Further research is needed to fully assess the health risks to students, teachers, and staff in these educational environments.
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21
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Yoshida T, Mimura M, Sakon N. Estimating household exposure to moth repellents p-dichlorobenzene and naphthalene and the relative contribution of inhalation pathway in a sample of Japanese children. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:146988. [PMID: 34088142 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
p-Dichlorobenzene (DCB) and naphthalene (NP) used as moth repellents in indoor environments are suspected to be carcinogenic. To evaluate their adverse effects on health with chronic exposure in the general population, especially children, we need to know their amounts absorbed by the body and the relationships between their amounts and air quality in residences. At present, little is known worldwide about them. This study examined the daily intakes of DCB and NP by Japanese children via all exposure pathways and the contribution of indoor air quality to the intakes. First-morning void urine samples from the subjects aged 6 to 15 years and air samples in their bedrooms were collected. Airborne NP and DCB and their urinary metabolites were measured. Significant correlations were detected between their airborne concentrations and the urinary excretion amounts of their corresponding metabolites. The absorption amounts of DCB and NP by inhalation of the children while at home were calculated to be 26 and 2.0 ng/kg b.w./h, respectively, as median values. The daily intake was estimated to be 2.4 and 0.90 μg/kg b.w./d (median), respectively. The fractions (median) of inhalation absorption amounts to overall absorption amounts for DCB and NP were 30% and 5%, respectively. In children living in residences where the indoor air concentrations of these compounds were more than half the level of each guideline value for indoor air quality, the main exposure route for their absorption was considered to be inhalation while at home. The indoor concentrations of DCB exceeded the lifetime excess cancer risk level of 10-4 in 22% of the residences and 10-3 in 9% of them. Our findings indicate the need to further reduce airborne concentrations of DCB in Japanese residences to prevent its adverse effects on the health of Japanese children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiaki Yoshida
- Osaka Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69, Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka 537-0025, Japan.
| | - Mayumi Mimura
- Osaka Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69, Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka 537-0025, Japan
| | - Naomi Sakon
- Osaka Institute of Public Health, 1-3-69, Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka 537-0025, Japan
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22
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Bayati M, Vu DC, Vo PH, Rogers E, Park J, Ho TL, Davis AN, Gulseven Z, Carlo G, Palermo F, McElroy JA, Nagel SC, Lin CH. Health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds at daycare facilities. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:977-988. [PMID: 33586827 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Children are particularly vulnerable to many classes of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in indoor environments. The negative health impacts associated with chronic and acute exposures of the VOCs might lead to health issues such as genetic damage, cancer, and disorder of nervous systems. In this study, 40 VOCs including aldehydes and ketones, aliphatic hydrocarbons, esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, cyclic terpenes, alcohols, and glycol ethers were identified and qualified in different locations at the University of Missouri (MU) Child Development Laboratory (CDL) in Columbia, Missouri. Our results suggested that the concentrations of the VOCs varied significantly among classrooms, hallways, and playground. The VOCs emitted from personal care and cleaning products had the highest indoor levels (2-ethylhexanol-1, 3-carene, homomenthyl salicylate with mean concentration of 5.15 µg/m3 , 1.57 µg/m3 , and 1.47 µg/m3 , respectively). A cancer risk assessment was conducted, and none of the 95th percentile dose estimates exceeded the age-specific no significant risk levels (NSRL) in all classrooms. Dimensionless toxicity index scores were calculated for all VOCs using a novel web-based framework called Toxicological Prioritization Index (ToxPi), which integrates multiple sources of toxicity data. According to the method, homomenthyl salicylate, benzothiazole, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, hexadecane, and tridecane exhibited diverse toxicity profiles and ranked as the five most toxic indoor VOCs. The findings of this study provide critical information for policy makers and early education professionals to mitigate the potentially negative health impacts of indoor VOCs in the childcare facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Bayati
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Danh C Vu
- Faculty of Technology, Van Lang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Phuc H Vo
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rogers
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jihyun Park
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thi L Ho
- Center of Core Facilities, Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute, Can Tho, Vietnam
| | - Alexandra N Davis
- Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Zehra Gulseven
- School of Education, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Gustavo Carlo
- School of Education, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Francisco Palermo
- Department of Human Development and Family Science, Center for Children and Families Across Cultures, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jane A McElroy
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Susan C Nagel
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, School of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Chung-Ho Lin
- Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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23
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Heeley-Hill AC, Grange SK, Ward MW, Lewis AC, Owen N, Jordan C, Hodgson G, Adamson G. Frequency of use of household products containing VOCs and indoor atmospheric concentrations in homes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:699-713. [PMID: 34037627 DOI: 10.1039/d0em00504e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a key class of atmospheric emission released from highly complex petrochemical, transport and solvent sources both outdoors and indoors. This study established the concentrations and speciation of VOCs in 60 homes (204 individuals, 360 × 72 h samples, 40 species) in summer and winter, along with outdoor controls. Self-reported daily statistics were collected in each home on the use of cleaning, household and personal care products, all of which are known to release VOCs. Frequency of product use varied widely: deodorants: 2.9 uses home per day; sealant-mastics 0.02 uses home per day. The total concentration of VOCs indoors (range C2-C10) was highly variable between homes e.g. range 16.6-8150 μg m-3 in winter. Indoor concentrations of VOCs exceeded outdoor for 84% of households studied in summer and 100% of homes in winter. The most abundant VOCs found indoors in this study were n-butane (wintertime range: 1.5-4630 μg m-3), likely released as aerosol propellant, ethanol, acetone and propane. The cumulative use VOC-containing products over multiday timescales by occupants provided little predictive power to infer 72 hour averaged indoor concentrations. However, there was weak covariance between the cumulative usage of certain products and individual VOCs. From a domestic emissions perspective, reducing the use of hydrocarbon-based aerosol propellants indoors would likely have the largest impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiden C Heeley-Hill
- Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Stuart K Grange
- Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Martyn W Ward
- Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratories, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Alastair C Lewis
- National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Neil Owen
- Givaudan UK Ltd, Kennington Road, TN24 0LT Ashford, UK
| | | | - Gemma Hodgson
- QI Statistics, Overdene House, 49 Church Street, Theale, Berkshire RG7 5BX, UK
| | - Greg Adamson
- Givaudan Fragrances Corp., 717 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936, USA
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24
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Lunderberg DM, Misztal PK, Liu Y, Arata C, Tian Y, Kristensen K, Weber RJ, Nazaroff WW, Goldstein AH. High-Resolution Exposure Assessment for Volatile Organic Compounds in Two California Residences. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:6740-6751. [PMID: 33945266 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Time spent in residences substantially contributes to human exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Such exposures have been difficult to study deeply, in part because VOC concentrations and indoor occupancy vary rapidly. Using a fast-response online mass spectrometer, we report time-resolved exposures from multi-season sampling of more than 200 VOCs in two California residences. Chemical-specific source apportionment revealed that time-averaged exposures for most VOCs were mainly attributable to continuous indoor emissions from buildings and their static contents. Also contributing to exposures were occupant-related activities, such as cooking, and outdoor-to-indoor transport. Health risk assessments are possible for a subset of observed VOCs. Acrolein, acetaldehyde, and acrylic acid concentrations were above chronic advisory health guidelines, whereas exposures for other assessable species were typically well below the guideline levels. Studied residences were built in the mid-20th century, indicating that VOC emissions even from older buildings and their contents can substantially contribute to occupant exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Lunderberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Pawel K Misztal
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Yingjun Liu
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Caleb Arata
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Yilin Tian
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Kasper Kristensen
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Robert J Weber
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - William W Nazaroff
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Allen H Goldstein
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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25
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Simms LA, Borras E, Chew BS, Matsui B, McCartney MM, Robinson SK, Kenyon N, Davis CE. Environmental sampling of volatile organic compounds during the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California. J Environ Sci (China) 2021; 103:135-147. [PMID: 33743896 PMCID: PMC9303056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Trace analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during wildfires is imperative for environmental and health risk assessment. The use of gas sampling devices mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to chemically sample air during wildfires is of great interest because these devices move freely about their environment, allowing for more representative air samples and the ability to sample areas dangerous or unreachable by humans. This work presents chemical data from air samples obtained in Davis, CA during the most destructive wildfire in California's history - the 2018 Camp Fire - as well as the deployment of our sampling device during a controlled experimental fire while fixed to a UAV. The sampling mechanism was an in-house manufactured micro-gas preconcentrator (µPC) embedded onto a compact battery-operated sampler that was returned to the laboratory for chemical analysis. Compounds commonly observed in wildfires were detected during the Camp Fire using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), including BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m+p-xylene, and o-xylene), benzaldehyde, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, naphthalene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene and 1-ethyl-3-methylbenzene. Concentrations of BTEX were calculated and we observed that benzene and toluene were highest with average concentrations of 4.7 and 15.1 µg/m3, respectively. Numerous fire-related compounds including BTEX and aldehydes such as octanal and nonanal were detected upon experimental fire ignition, even at a much smaller sampling time compared to samples taken during the Camp Fire. Analysis of the air samples taken both stationary during the Camp Fire and mobile during an experimental fire show the successful operation of our sampler in a fire environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie A Simms
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Eva Borras
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bradley S Chew
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Bruno Matsui
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mitchell M McCartney
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Stephen K Robinson
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Institute for Space Research, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nicholas Kenyon
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, 4150V Street, Suite 3400, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA; VA Northern California Health Care System, 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655, USA
| | - Cristina E Davis
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, 2132 Bainer Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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26
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Rock S, Galor A, Kumar N. Indoor Airborne Microbial Concentration and Dry Eye. Am J Ophthalmol 2021; 223:193-204. [PMID: 33065065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine associations between indoor airborne microbial concentration and dry eye (DE) measures. DESIGN Prospective, observational, cross-sectional study. METHODS A total of 157 individuals with normal external ocular anatomy were recruited from the Miami Veterans Affairs eye clinic. Subjects underwent a clinical evaluation that included assessment of DE symptoms and signs. Indoor air was sampled using bioaerosol impactors with nutrient and soy media, and samples were incubated for 48 hours at 37 C with 5% CO2. Number of microbial colonies (CFU) was recorded. Outcome measures were DE symptoms and signs. RESULTS A total of 157 unique subjects participated in home and clinical visits and of these, 93 completed a 6-month follow-up of home and clinical visits. Older homes were found to have higher CFU compared to newer homes. A 1% increase in humidity was associated with a 3% increase in nutrient CFU (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01 to 0.04; P < .001). Instrumented CFU significantly associated with 2 DE measures: corneal epithelial disruption and lower eyelid meibomian gland (MG) dropout, adjusted for age and sex (odds ratio [OR] = 28.07, 95% CI =1.8, 443.8, P < .05; OR = 39.6, CI = 1.8, 875.2, P < .05 for soy, respectively). After adjusting for other confounders, CFU and age remained significantly associated with MG dropout. Other DE measures did not significantly associate with CFU. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with higher CFU counts in the home had more severe MG dropout, after adjusting for age and other confounders. This finding suggests that home CFU exposure may impact MG dropout, one of the DE measures, and may be a target for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rock
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Anat Galor
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA; Ophthalmology, Miami Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Naresh Kumar
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
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27
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Rao A, B U, Rungta N, M N, Shenoy R, Rao A, Shetty MK. Exposure to Second Hand Tobacco Smoke among 12 year old Adolescents in Mangalore, Karnataka - A Descriptive Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2021; 22:827-835. [PMID: 33773547 PMCID: PMC8286669 DOI: 10.31557/apjcp.2021.22.3.827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is no safe level of exposure to second hand tobacco smoke (SHS). The World Health Organization has stressed that 100% smoke-free environments are the only effective way to protect the population from the harmful effects of exposure to SHS. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire study was done on 1442, 12 year old, adolescents in Mangalore to determine the exposure to SHS and adolescents’ knowledge, attitude, avoidance and self-efficacy of avoidance towards SHS. Results: The percentage of children exposed to SHS at home was 28.6%. A higher number of male students reported that their parent and/or sibling smoked tobacco compared to their female counterparts. About 48% of the participants reported that persons who lived with them smoked in front of children and this was found to be significantly higher among males compared to females. Atleast 46% of the participants had knowledge of second hand tobacco smoke. The avoidance behaviour of the participants was good with most of the participants reporting positive avoidance towards SHS. With respect to their self - efficacy of avoidance of SHS, most of them were confident of avoiding SHS when they were with family or friends but the confidence was less with respect to strangers. Multivariate general linear model analysis showed a significant association between gender and exposure to SHS to 14 items out of the 25 items in the four domains. Males and those not exposed to SHS showed better knowledge, positive attitude, positive avoidance behaviour and positive self efficacy of avoidance to SHS. Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate that better knowledge and a positive attitude and avoidance behavior are associated with reduced exposure to SHS and this reinforces the fact that a sustained health education program incorporated into the school curriculum is the need of the hour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwini Rao
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Unnikrishnan B
- Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, A constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Nikita Rungta
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Nandini M
- Department of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, A constituent unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Ramya Shenoy
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Arathi Rao
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
| | - Mranali K Shetty
- Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, A Constituent Unit of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, India
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28
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Rajapakse MY, Borras E, Fung AG, Yeap D, McCartney MM, Fabia FM, Kenyon NJ, Davis CE. An environmental air sampler to evaluate personal exposure to volatile organic compounds. Analyst 2021; 146:636-645. [PMID: 33205787 PMCID: PMC7856114 DOI: 10.1039/d0an01521k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A micro fabricated chip-based wearable air sampler was used to monitor the personnel exposure of volatile chemical concentrations in microenvironments. Six teenagers participated in this study and 14 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including naphthalene, 3-decen-1-ol, hexanal, nonanal, methyl salicylate and limonene gave the highest abundance during routine daily activity. VOC exposure associated with daily activities and the location showed strong agreements with two of the participant's results. One of these subjects had the highest exposure to methyl salicylate that was supported by the use of a topical analgesic balm containing this compound. Environmental based air quality monitoring followed by the personnel exposure studies provided additional evidence associated to the main locations where the participants traveled. Toluene concentrations observed at a gas station were exceptionally high, with the highest amount observed at 1213.1 ng m-3. One subject had the highest exposure to toluene and the GPS data showed clear evidence of activities neighboring a gas station. This study shows that this wearable air sampler has potential applications including hazardous VOC exposure monitoring in occupational hazard assessment for certain professions, for example in industries that involve direct handling of petroleum products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maneeshin Y Rajapakse
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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29
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Indoor Exposure to Selected Air Pollutants in the Home Environment: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238972. [PMID: 33276576 PMCID: PMC7729884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: There is increasing awareness that the quality of the indoor environment affects our health and well-being. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in particular has an impact on multiple health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular illness, allergic symptoms, cancers, and premature mortality. (2) Methods: We carried out a global systematic literature review on indoor exposure to selected air pollutants associated with adverse health effects, and related household characteristics, seasonal influences and occupancy patterns. We screened records from six bibliographic databases: ABI/INFORM, Environment Abstracts, Pollution Abstracts, PubMed, ProQuest Biological and Health Professional, and Scopus. (3) Results: Information on indoor exposure levels and determinants, emission sources, and associated health effects was extracted from 141 studies from 29 countries. The most-studied pollutants were particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10); nitrogen dioxide (NO2); volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, toluene, xylenes and formaldehyde; and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including naphthalene. Identified indoor PM2.5 sources include smoking, cooking, heating, use of incense, candles, and insecticides, while cleaning, housework, presence of pets and movement of people were the main sources of coarse particles. Outdoor air is a major PM2.5 source in rooms with natural ventilation in roadside households. Major sources of NO2 indoors are unvented gas heaters and cookers. Predictors of indoor NO2 are ventilation, season, and outdoor NO2 levels. VOCs are emitted from a wide range of indoor and outdoor sources, including smoking, solvent use, renovations, and household products. Formaldehyde levels are higher in newer houses and in the presence of new furniture, while PAH levels are higher in smoking households. High indoor particulate matter, NO2 and VOC levels were typically associated with respiratory symptoms, particularly asthma symptoms in children. (4) Conclusions: Household characteristics and occupant activities play a large role in indoor exposure, particularly cigarette smoking for PM2.5, gas appliances for NO2, and household products for VOCs and PAHs. Home location near high-traffic-density roads, redecoration, and small house size contribute to high indoor air pollution. In most studies, air exchange rates are negatively associated with indoor air pollution. These findings can inform interventions aiming to improve IAQ in residential properties in a variety of settings.
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30
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Ferguson L, Taylor J, Davies M, Shrubsole C, Symonds P, Dimitroulopoulou S. Exposure to indoor air pollution across socio-economic groups in high-income countries: A scoping review of the literature and a modelling methodology. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105748. [PMID: 32629198 PMCID: PMC7903144 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Disparities in outdoor air pollution exposure between individuals of differing socio-economic status is a growing area of research, widely explored in the environmental health literature. However, in developed countries, around 80% of time is spent indoors, meaning indoor air pollution may be a better proxy for personal exposure. Building characteristics - such as build quality, volume and ventilation - and occupant behaviour, mean indoor air pollution may also vary across socio-economic groups, leading to health inequalities. Much of the existing literature has focused on inequalities in exposure to outdoor air pollution, and there is thus a lack of an evidence base reviewing data for indoor environments. In this study, a scoping review of the literature on indoor air pollution exposures across different socio-economic groups is performed, examining evidence from both monitoring and modelling studies in the developed world. The literature was reviewed, identifying different indoor pollutants, definitions for socio-economic status and pre- and post- housing interventions. Based on the review, the study proposes a modelling methodology for evaluating the effects of environmental policies on different socio-economic populations. Using a sample size calculation, obstacles in obtaining sufficiently large samples of monitored data are demonstrated. A modelling framework for the rapid quantification of daily home exposure is then outlined as a proof of concept. While significant additional research is required to examine inequalities in indoor exposures, modelling approaches may provide opportunities to quantify exposure disparities due to housing and behaviours across populations of different socio-economic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Ferguson
- UCL Energy Institute, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK.
| | - Jonathon Taylor
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Michael Davies
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Clive Shrubsole
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
| | - Phil Symonds
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Sani Dimitroulopoulou
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
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31
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Ferguson L, Taylor J, Davies M, Shrubsole C, Symonds P, Dimitroulopoulou S. Exposure to indoor air pollution across socio-economic groups in high-income countries: A scoping review of the literature and a modelling methodology. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 143:105748. [PMID: 32629198 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020105748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Disparities in outdoor air pollution exposure between individuals of differing socio-economic status is a growing area of research, widely explored in the environmental health literature. However, in developed countries, around 80% of time is spent indoors, meaning indoor air pollution may be a better proxy for personal exposure. Building characteristics - such as build quality, volume and ventilation - and occupant behaviour, mean indoor air pollution may also vary across socio-economic groups, leading to health inequalities. Much of the existing literature has focused on inequalities in exposure to outdoor air pollution, and there is thus a lack of an evidence base reviewing data for indoor environments. In this study, a scoping review of the literature on indoor air pollution exposures across different socio-economic groups is performed, examining evidence from both monitoring and modelling studies in the developed world. The literature was reviewed, identifying different indoor pollutants, definitions for socio-economic status and pre- and post- housing interventions. Based on the review, the study proposes a modelling methodology for evaluating the effects of environmental policies on different socio-economic populations. Using a sample size calculation, obstacles in obtaining sufficiently large samples of monitored data are demonstrated. A modelling framework for the rapid quantification of daily home exposure is then outlined as a proof of concept. While significant additional research is required to examine inequalities in indoor exposures, modelling approaches may provide opportunities to quantify exposure disparities due to housing and behaviours across populations of different socio-economic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Ferguson
- UCL Energy Institute, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK; Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK.
| | - Jonathon Taylor
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Michael Davies
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Clive Shrubsole
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
| | - Phil Symonds
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, UK
| | - Sani Dimitroulopoulou
- Air Quality & Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Chilton, UK
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Jeon J, Park JH, Wi S, Yun BY, Kim T, Kim S. Field study on the improvement of indoor air quality with toluene adsorption finishing materials in an urban residential apartment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 261:114137. [PMID: 32066056 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
To improve the indoor air quality of apartments in Korea, a toluene adsorptive paint was manufactured and tested for its efficiency to remove the indoor toluene released from wallpaper adhesives. The toluene adsorptive paint was prepared by blending activated carbon and inorganic binder, and the pore characteristics and chemical functional groups of the activated carbon were analyzed to determine whether the micropores and surface functionalities of activated carbon affected toluene adsorption. Toluene adsorption performance of the toluene adsorptive paint was confirmed through static and verification experiments. The average adsorption efficiency of toluene adsorptive paint in the static experiment was 98.3% and the verification experiment confirmed that about 96.3% of toluene was adsorbed from the indoor air of the apartment. As a result, the use of toluene adsorptive paint effectively removes toluene, which may occur in the adhesive, and thus can be considered to have a good effect on the improvement of indoor air quality. Furthermore, toluene adsorptive paint has been found to be an effective way to achieve consumer wall finishing preferences and maintenance convenience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Jeon
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ji Hun Park
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seunghwan Wi
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Beom Yeol Yun
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Taeyeon Kim
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sumin Kim
- Department of Architecture and Architectural Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
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Buckley JP, Barrett ES, Beamer PI, Bennett DH, Bloom MS, Fennell TR, Fry RC, Funk WE, Hamra GB, Hecht SS, Kannan K, Iyer R, Karagas MR, Lyall K, Parsons PJ, Pellizzari ED, Signes-Pastor AJ, Starling AP, Wang A, Watkins DJ, Zhang M, Woodruff TJ. Opportunities for evaluating chemical exposures and child health in the United States: the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2020; 30:397-419. [PMID: 32066883 PMCID: PMC7183426 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-020-0211-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program will evaluate environmental factors affecting children's health (perinatal, neurodevelopmental, obesity, respiratory, and positive health outcomes) by pooling cohorts composed of >50,000 children in the largest US study of its kind. Our objective was to identify opportunities for studying chemicals and child health using existing or future ECHO chemical exposure data. We described chemical-related information collected by ECHO cohorts and reviewed ECHO-relevant literature on exposure routes, sources, and environmental and human monitoring. Fifty-six ECHO cohorts have existing or planned chemical biomonitoring data for mothers or children. Environmental phenols/parabens, phthalates, metals/metalloids, and tobacco biomarkers are each being measured by ≥15 cohorts, predominantly during pregnancy and childhood, indicating ample opportunities to study child health outcomes. Cohorts are collecting questionnaire data on multiple exposure sources and conducting environmental monitoring including air, dust, and water sample collection that could be used for exposure assessment studies. To supplement existing chemical data, we recommend biomonitoring of emerging chemicals, nontargeted analysis to identify novel chemicals, and expanded measurement of chemicals in alternative biological matrices and dust samples. ECHO's rich data and samples represent an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate environmental chemical research to improve the health of US children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie P Buckley
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
| | - Emily S Barrett
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Paloma I Beamer
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Deborah H Bennett
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Bloom
- Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Timothy R Fennell
- Discovery Sciences, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rebecca C Fry
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - William E Funk
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ghassan B Hamra
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephen S Hecht
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kurunthachalam Kannan
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Ramsunder Iyer
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick J Parsons
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Edo D Pellizzari
- Fellows Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | | | - Anne P Starling
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Aolin Wang
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mingyu Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tracey J Woodruff
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Languille B, Gros V, Bonnaire N, Pommier C, Honoré C, Debert C, Gauvin L, Srairi S, Annesi-Maesano I, Chaix B, Zeitouni K. A methodology for the characterization of portable sensors for air quality measure with the goal of deployment in citizen science. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 708:134698. [PMID: 31791756 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The field of small air quality sensors is of growing interest within the scientific community, especially because this new technology is liable to improve air pollutant monitoring as well as be used for personal exposure quantification. Amongst the myriad existing devices, the performances are highly variable; this is why the sensors must be rigorously assessed before deployment, according to the intended use. This study is included in the Polluscope project; its purpose is to quantify personal exposure to air pollutants by using portable sensors. This paper designs and applies a methodology for the evaluation of portable air quality sensors to eight devices measuring PM, BC, NO2 and O3. The dedicated testing protocol includes static ambient air measurements compared with reference instruments, controlled chamber and mobility tests, as well as reproducibility evaluation. Three sensors (AE51, Cairclip and Canarin) were retained to be used for the field campaigns. The reliability of their performances were robustly quantified by using several metrics. These three devices (for a total of 36 units) were deployed to be worn by volunteers for a week. The results show the ability of sensors to discriminate between different environments (i.e., cooking, commuting or in an office). This work demonstrates, first, the ability of the three selected sensors to deliver data reliable enough to enable personal exposure estimations, and second, the robustness of this testing methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Languille
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, IPSL, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Valérie Gros
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, IPSL, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | - Nicolas Bonnaire
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, IPSL, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | - Clément Pommier
- Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement CNRS-CEA-UVSQ, IPSL, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- EPAR, IPLESP, INSERM et Sorbonne Université, Faculté de Médecine Saint-Antoine, Paris, France
| | - Basile Chaix
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique IPLESP, Nemesis team, Paris, France
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Quartz Crystal Microbalance Based Sensor Arrays for Detection and Discrimination of VOCs Using Phosphonium Ionic Liquid Composites. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20030615. [PMID: 31979151 PMCID: PMC7037595 DOI: 10.3390/s20030615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Herein, we examine two sensing schemes for detection and discrimination of chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this work, phosphonium ionic liquids (ILs) were synthesized and vapor sensing properties examined and compared to phosphonium IL-polymer composites. Pure IL sensors were used to develop a QCM-based multisensory array (MSA), while IL-polymer composites were used to develop an MSA and virtual sensor arrays (VSAs). It was found that by employing the composite MSA, five chlorinated VOCs were accurately discriminated at 95.56%, which was an increase in accuracy as compared to pure ILs MSA (84.45%). Data acquired with two out of three VSAs allowed discrimination of chlorinated VOCs with 100% accuracy. These studies have provided greater insight into the benefits of incorporating polymers in coating materials for enhanced discrimination accuracies of QCM-based sensor arrays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a QCM-based VSA for discrimination of closely related chlorinated VOCs.
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Protecting Children from Toxic Waste: Data-Usability Evaluation Can Deter Flawed Cleanup. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17020424. [PMID: 31936349 PMCID: PMC7014154 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Nearly 25 percent of US children live within 2 km of toxic-waste sites, most of which are in urban areas. They face higher rates of cancer than adults, partly because the dominant contaminants at most US hazardous-waste sites include genotoxic carcinogens, like trichloroethylene, that are much more harmful to children. The purpose of this article is to help protect the public, especially children, from these threats and to improve toxics-remediation by beginning to test our hypothesis: If site-remediation assessments fail data-usability evaluation (DUE), they likely compromise later cleanups and public health, especially children’s health. To begin hypothesis-testing, we perform a focused DUE for an unremediated, Pasadena, California toxic site. Our DUE methods are (a) comparing project-specific, remediation-assessment data with the remediation-assessment conceptual site model (CSM), in order to identify data gaps, and (b) using data-gap directionality to assess possible determinate bias (whether reported toxics risks are lower/higher than true values). Our results reveal (1) major CSM data gaps, particularly regarding Pasadena-toxic-site risks to children; (2) determinate bias, namely, risk underestimation; thus (3) likely inadequate remediation. Our discussion shows that if these results are generalizable, requiring routine, independent, DUEs might deter flawed toxic-site assessment/cleanup and resulting health threats, especially to children.
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Baum JS, Norton AE. In Your Face: Consideration of higher risks for chemical exposure to persons with disabilities in laboratories. ACS CHEMICAL HEALTH & SAFETY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchas.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Norris C, Fang L, Barkjohn KK, Carlson D, Zhang Y, Mo J, Li Z, Zhang J, Cui X, Schauer JJ, Davis A, Black M, Bergin MH. Sources of volatile organic compounds in suburban homes in Shanghai, China, and the impact of air filtration on compound concentrations. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 231:256-268. [PMID: 31129407 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution in China is an ongoing concern, with subsets of the population (e.g., asthmatic children) especially susceptible to the associated health effects. In addition, people spend the majority of their time indoors, where pollutant composition may differ from the better characterized ambient environment. Although volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present health risks and have high concentrations indoors, their sources have not been thoroughly quantified in typical homes in suburban China. Similarly lacking is an understanding of how well a purifier with high efficiency particulate air and activated carbon filters can remove VOCs in a real-world setting in China. In this study, we a) quantified total VOCs (TVOC) and 900 + individual VOCs in 20 homes in China, b) identified potential sources of VOCs, and c) evaluated impacts of filtration. We used non-negative matrix factorization, a variable reduction technique, to identify sources. TVOC and individual compounds had higher concentrations indoors than outdoors (mean [range] indoors, filtration with pre-filter only: 302 [56-793] μg m-3; outdoors, entire study: 92 [26-629] μg m-3), indicating prevalent sources indoors. Many compounds detected have not, to our knowledge, been measured in homes in China. Some compounds (e.g., octanal, heptanal, ⍺-cedrene) were specific to the indoor environment, a few were ubiquitous (e.g., acetaldehyde, formaldehyde), and others were detected infrequently. These compounds may originate from consumer products, solvents, vehicle emissions, a hexane source, wooden products, and cooking. Filtration may improve air quality indoors by lowering concentrations of some VOCs, and, specifically, contributions related to solvents and consumer products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Norris
- Duke University, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 121 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
| | - Lin Fang
- Tsinghua University, School of Architecture, Beijing, 100084, China; Beijing Key Lab of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Karoline K Barkjohn
- Duke University, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 121 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - David Carlson
- Duke University, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 121 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Tsinghua University, School of Architecture, Beijing, 100084, China; Beijing Key Lab of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jinhan Mo
- Tsinghua University, School of Architecture, Beijing, 100084, China; Beijing Key Lab of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, 9 Circuit Dr., Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Xiaoxing Cui
- Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, 9 Circuit Dr., Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - James J Schauer
- University of Wisconsin at Madison, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Aika Davis
- Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Chemical Safety, 2211 Newmarket Parkway, Suite 106, Marietta, GA, 30067, USA
| | - Marilyn Black
- Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Chemical Safety, 2211 Newmarket Parkway, Suite 106, Marietta, GA, 30067, USA
| | - Michael H Bergin
- Duke University, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 121 Hudson Hall, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
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Oz K, Merav B, Sara S, Yael D. Volatile Organic Compound Emissions from Polyurethane Mattresses under Variable Environmental Conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:9171-9180. [PMID: 31290311 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Sleeping microenvironment (SME), is characterized by higher temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration. Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in SME is important considering the long duration people spend there with high proximity between their respiration inlets and potential emission sources, such as bedding material. This study concentrates on the influence of SME conditions on VOC emissions from polyurethane mattresses, and provides first approximation for inhalation exposure during sleep, based on measured emissions. Eight types of polyurethane mattresses were tested in a parallel continues-flow chamber system, to compare between VOC emission under different temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentrations. Contribution of mattress covers to emission fluxes was also examined. Eighteen VOCs were quantified with fluxes ranging from 10-4 to 10-1 mg/(h·m-2). Under sleeping conditions VOC emissions increased significantly. Elevated heat seems to be the major contributor to the enhanced emissions, compared to elevated relative humidity and CO2 concentration. Exposure levels estimated for sleeping child/infant indicate that SME can be a significant contributor to VOC exposure, yielding concerning exposure levels for few compounds. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates the strong dependency of sleeping person exposure on air exchange rate between his breathing zone and bedroom air (λBZ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Oz
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion , Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003 , Israel
| | - Bareket Merav
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion , Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003 , Israel
| | - Sabach Sara
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion , Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003 , Israel
| | - Dubowski Yael
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion , Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 3200003 , Israel
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Banton MI, Bus JS, Collins JJ, Delzell E, Gelbke HP, Kester JE, Moore MM, Waites R, Sarang SS. Evaluation of potential health effects associated with occupational and environmental exposure to styrene - an update. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2019; 22:1-130. [PMID: 31284836 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2019.1633718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The potential chronic health risks of occupational and environmental exposure to styrene were evaluated to update health hazard and exposure information developed since the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis risk assessment for styrene was performed in 2002. The updated hazard assessment of styrene's health effects indicates human cancers and ototoxicity remain potential concerns. However, mechanistic research on mouse lung tumors demonstrates these tumors are mouse-specific and of low relevance to human cancer risk. The updated toxicity database supports toxicity reference levels of 20 ppm (equates to 400 mg urinary metabolites mandelic acid + phenylglyoxylic acid/g creatinine) for worker inhalation exposure and 3.7 ppm and 2.5 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, for general population inhalation and oral exposure. No cancer risk value estimates are proposed given the established lack of relevance of mouse lung tumors and inconsistent epidemiology evidence. The updated exposure assessment supports inhalation and ingestion routes as important. The updated risk assessment found estimated risks within acceptable ranges for all age groups of the general population and workers with occupational exposures in non-fiber-reinforced polymer composites industries and fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRP) workers using closed-mold operations or open-mold operations with respiratory protection. Only FRP workers using open-mold operations not using respiratory protection have risk exceedances for styrene and should be considered for risk management measures. In addition, given the reported interaction of styrene exposure with noise, noise reduction to sustain levels below 85 dB(A) needs be in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Banton
- a Gorge View Consulting LLC , Hood River , OR , USA
| | - J S Bus
- b Health Sciences , Exponent , Midland , MI , USA
| | - J J Collins
- c Health Sciences , Saginaw Valley State University , Saginaw , MI , USA
| | - E Delzell
- d Private consultant , Birmingham , AL , USA
| | | | - J E Kester
- f Kester Consulting LLC , Wentzville , MO , USA
| | | | - R Waites
- h Sabic , Innovative Plastics US LLC , Mount Vernon , IN , USA
| | - S S Sarang
- i Shell Health , Shell International , Houston , TX , USA
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Sun J, Wang J, Shen Z, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Niu X, Cao J, Zhang Q, Xu H, Zhang N, Li X. Volatile organic compounds from residential solid fuel burning in Guanzhong Plain, China: Source-related profiles and risks. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 221:184-192. [PMID: 30639814 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Characteristics of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their health risks were investigated in kitchens and bedrooms during the heating season in rural Guanzhong Plain, China. Toxic-VOC concentrations in kitchens with traditional wood (299 ± 38.8 μg m-3) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves (187 ± 54.6 μg m-3) were considerably higher than those in bedrooms. High levels of toxic VOCs in traditional kitchens were strongly correlated with wood combustion (R = 0.72). The coefficient of determination of VOC profiles between the kitchen and wood combustion was 0.27, indicating that VOCs in traditional kitchens are mainly derived from wood combustion. For women, who do most of the cooking, noncancer risk from exposure to toxic VOCs could reach 7600 and 2550 in traditional and LPG kitchens, respectively. Noncancer risks were much lower in bedrooms than in kitchens, but still two orders of magnitude higher than the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) threshold. Cancer risk from exposure to VOCs for women was 8.98 × 10-4 and 1.67 × 10-4 in both traditional and LPG kitchens, respectively, and ranged from 2.51 × 10-6 to 3.85 × 10-5 in bedrooms-all exceeding the USEPA threshold. Thus, during the heating season indicated that the rural Guanzhong residents were exposed to toxic VOCs from indoor heating and cooking at levels higher than the recommended safety levels. Moreover, traditional cooking and heating styles in rural Guanzhong need to be urgently updated to improve the indoor air quality for residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- NICU, Xi'an Children's Hospital, Xi'an, 710003, China.
| | - Zhenxing Shen
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Yu Huang
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xinyi Niu
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710049, China; The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Junji Cao
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- School of Environmental & Municipal Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
| | - Hongmei Xu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Ningning Zhang
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Xuxiang Li
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
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Koehler K, Ellis JH, Casey JA, Manthos D, Bandeen-Roche K, Platt R, Schwartz BS. Exposure Assessment Using Secondary Data Sources in Unconventional Natural Gas Development and Health Studies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:6061-6069. [PMID: 29697245 PMCID: PMC6437780 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Studies of unconventional natural gas development (UNGD) and health have ranked participants along a gradient of geographic information system (GIS)-based activity that incorporated the distance between participants' home addresses and unconventional natural gas wells. However, studies have used different activity metrics, making result comparisons across the studies difficult. The existing studies have only incorporated wells, without accounting for other components of development (e.g., compressors, impoundments, and flaring events), for which it is often difficult to obtain reliable data but may have relevance to health. Our aims were to (1) describe, in space and time, UNGD-related compressors, impoundments, and flaring events; (2) evaluate whether and how to incorporate these into UNGD activity assessment; and (3) evaluate associations of these different approaches with mild asthma exacerbations. We identified 361 compressor stations, 1218 impoundments, and 216 locations with flaring events. A principal component analysis identified a single component that was approximately an equal mix of the metrics for compressors, impoundments, and four phases of well development (pad preparation, drilling, stimulation, and production). However, temporal coverage for impoundments and flaring data was sparse. Ultimately, we evaluated three UNGD activity metrics, including two based on the existing studies and a novel metric that included well pad development, drilling, stimulation, production, and compressor engine aspects of UNGD. The three metrics had varying magnitudes of association with mild asthma exacerbations, although the highest category of each metric (vs the lowest) was associated with the outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Koehler
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland 21205 , United States
| | - J Hugh Ellis
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland 21205 , United States
| | - Joan A Casey
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences , University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health , Berkeley , California 94720 , United States
| | - David Manthos
- SkyTruth , Shepherdstown , West Virginia 25443 , United States
| | - Karen Bandeen-Roche
- Department of Biostatistics , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland 21205 , United States
| | - Rutherford Platt
- Department of Environmental Studies , Gettysburg College , Gettysburg , Pennsylvania 17325 , United States
| | - Brian S Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering , Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , Maryland 21205 , United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Services Research , Geisinger Health System , Danville , Pennsylvania 17822 , United States
- Department of Medicine , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland 21205 , United States
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Colman Lerner JE, Gutierrez MDLA, Mellado D, Giuliani D, Massolo L, Sanchez EY, Porta A. Characterization and cancer risk assessment of VOCs in home and school environments in gran La Plata, Argentina. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:10039-10048. [PMID: 29380200 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Three areas are highlighted in Gran La Plata, Argentina: industrial, urban, and residential. In this work, the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air of homes and schools in those areas were analyzed, through the use of passive monitors. The study period is between 2007 and 2010. Higher levels of VOCs were found in homes and schools in the industrial zone, higher than the levels corresponding to urban and residential. Taking into account the relationship between indoor and outdoor levels of VOCs, they have ratios (I/O) between 1.5 and 10 are evidenced contributions of emission sources of VOCs both indoor and outdoor. Complementarily, we estimated the life time cancer risk (LCR) for benzene, styrene, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene in children who spend their time mostly in such indoor environments. The results show high LCR values for benzene, which exceed acceptable values for the US EPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Esteban Colman Lerner
- CINDECA, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicadas "Dr. Jorge J. Ronco" CONICET CCT La Plata, UNLP, 47 N° 257, 1900, La Plata, Argentina.
| | - Maria de Los Angeles Gutierrez
- CIMA, Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, CONICET CCT La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Daniela Mellado
- CIMA, Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, CONICET CCT La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Daniela Giuliani
- CIMA, Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, CONICET CCT La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Laura Massolo
- CIMA, Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, CONICET CCT La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Erica Yanina Sanchez
- CIMA, Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, CONICET CCT La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Andres Porta
- CIMA, Centro de Investigaciones del Medio Ambiente, CONICET CCT La Plata, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
- Química Analítica Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 47 y 115, 1900, La Plata, Argentina
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Maestre JP, Jennings W, Wylie D, Horner SD, Siegel J, Kinney KA. Filter forensics: microbiota recovery from residential HVAC filters. MICROBIOME 2018; 6:22. [PMID: 29382378 PMCID: PMC5791358 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-018-0407-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Establishing reliable methods for assessing the microbiome within the built environment is critical for understanding the impact of biological exposures on human health. High-throughput DNA sequencing of dust samples provides valuable insights into the microbiome present in human-occupied spaces. However, the effect that different sampling methods have on the microbial community recovered from dust samples is not well understood across sample types. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters hold promise as long-term, spatially integrated, high volume samplers to characterize the airborne microbiome in homes and other climate-controlled spaces. In this study, the effect that dust recovery method (i.e., cut and elution, swabbing, or vacuuming) has on the microbial community structure, membership, and repeatability inferred by Illumina sequencing was evaluated. RESULTS The results indicate that vacuum samples captured higher quantities of total, bacterial, and fungal DNA than swab or cut samples. Repeated swab and vacuum samples collected from the same filter were less variable than cut samples with respect to both quantitative DNA recovery and bacterial community structure. Vacuum samples captured substantially greater bacterial diversity than the other methods, whereas fungal diversity was similar across all three methods. Vacuum and swab samples of HVAC filter dust were repeatable and generally superior to cut samples. Nevertheless, the contribution of environmental and human sources to the bacterial and fungal communities recovered via each sampling method was generally consistent across the methods investigated. CONCLUSIONS Dust recovery methodologies have been shown to affect the recovery, repeatability, structure, and membership of microbial communities recovered from dust samples in the built environment. The results of this study are directly applicable to indoor microbiota studies utilizing the filter forensics approach. More broadly, this study provides a better understanding of the microbial community variability attributable to sampling methodology and helps inform interpretation of data collected from other types of dust samples collected from indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan P. Maestre
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Wiley Jennings
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Dennis Wylie
- Genome Sequencing and Analysis Facility, The University of Texas at Austin Center for Biomedical Research Support, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Sharon D. Horner
- School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Jeffrey Siegel
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kerry A. Kinney
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX USA
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Raysoni AU, Stock TH, Sarnat JA, Chavez MC, Sarnat SE, Montoya T, Holguin F, Li WW. Evaluation of VOC concentrations in indoor and outdoor microenvironments at near-road schools. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 231:681-693. [PMID: 28850936 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Revised: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A 14-week air quality study, characterizing the indoor and outdoor concentrations of 18 VOCs at four El Paso, Texas elementary schools, was conducted in Spring 2010. Three schools were in an area of high traffic density and the fourth school, considered as a background school, was situated in an area affected minimally by stationary and mobile sources of air pollution. Passive samplers were deployed for monitoring and analyzed by GC/MS. Differences in the concentration profiles of the BTEX species between the high and low traffic density schools confirmed the pre-defined exposure patterns. Toluene was the predominant compound within the BTEX group and the 96-hr average outdoor concentrations varied from 1.16 to 4.25 μg/m3 across the four schools. Outdoor BTEX species were strongly correlated with each other (0.63 < r < 1.00, p < 0.05) suggesting a common source: vehicular traffic emissions. As expected, the strength of the associations between these compounds was more intense at each of the three high-exposure schools in contrast to the low-exposure school. This was further corroborated by the results obtained from the BTEX inter-species ratios (toluene: benzene and m, p- xylenes: ethylbenzene). Certain episodic events during the study period resulted in very elevated concentrations of some VOCs such as n-pentane. Indoor concentration of compounds with known indoor sources such as α -pinene, d-limonene, p-dichlorobenzene, and chloroform were generally higher than their corresponding outdoor concentrations. Cleaning agents, furniture polishes, materials used in arts and crafts activities, hot-water usage, and deodorizing cakes used in urinal pots were the likely major sources for these high indoor concentrations. Finally, retrospective assessment of average ambient BTEX concentrations over the last twenty years suggest a gradual decrement in this border region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit U Raysoni
- Department of Public Health Sciences, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Thomas H Stock
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeremy A Sarnat
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Mayra C Chavez
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Stefanie Ebelt Sarnat
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Teresa Montoya
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
| | - Fernando Holguin
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Wen-Whai Li
- Department of Civil Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
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Oguma T, Nagaoka T, Kurahashi M, Kobayashi N, Yamamori S, Tsuji C, Takiguchi H, Niimi K, Tomomatsu H, Tomomatsu K, Hayama N, Aoki T, Urano T, Magatani K, Takeda S, Abe T, Asano K. Clinical contributions of exhaled volatile organic compounds in the diagnosis of lung cancer. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174802. [PMID: 28384298 PMCID: PMC5383041 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOC) are being considered as biomarkers for various lungs diseases, including cancer. However, the accurate measurement of extremely low concentrations of VOC in expired air is technically challenging. We evaluated the clinical contribution of exhaled VOC measured with a new, double cold-trap method in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Methods Breath samples were collected from 116 patients with histologically confirmed lung cancer and 37 healthy volunteers (controls) after inspiration of purified air, synthesized through a cold-trap system. The exhaled VOC, trapped in the same system, were heat extracted. We analyzed 14 VOC with gas chromatography. Results The concentrations of exhaled cyclohexane and xylene were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in controls (p = 0.002 and 0.0001, respectively), increased significantly with the progression of the clinical stage of cancer (both p < 0.001), and decreased significantly after successful treatment of 6 patients with small cell lung cancer (p = 0.06 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion Measurements of exhaled VOCs by a double cold-trap method may help diagnose lung cancer and monitor its progression and regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Oguma
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Takashi Nagaoka
- Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Shinji Yamamori
- Ogino Memorial Laboratory, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chizuko Tsuji
- Department of Physiology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroto Takiguchi
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Niimi
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiromi Tomomatsu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Katsuyoshi Tomomatsu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Naoki Hayama
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Aoki
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Urano
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazushige Magatani
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Tokai University School of Engineering, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sunao Takeda
- Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Abe
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Koichiro Asano
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
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Zhong L, Su FC, Batterman S. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Conventional and High Performance School Buildings in the U.S. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:E100. [PMID: 28117727 PMCID: PMC5295350 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14010100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been an indoor environmental quality (IEQ) concern in schools and other buildings for many years. Newer designs, construction practices and building materials for "green" buildings and the use of "environmentally friendly" products have the promise of lowering chemical exposure. This study examines VOCs and IEQ parameters in 144 classrooms in 37 conventional and high performance elementary schools in the U.S. with the objectives of providing a comprehensive analysis and updating the literature. Tested schools were built or renovated in the past 15 years, and included comparable numbers of conventional, Energy Star, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified buildings. Indoor and outdoor VOC samples were collected and analyzed by thermal desorption, gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy for 94 compounds. Aromatics, alkanes and terpenes were the major compound groups detected. Most VOCs had mean concentrations below 5 µg/m³, and most indoor/outdoor concentration ratios ranged from one to 10. For 16 VOCs, the within-school variance of concentrations exceeded that between schools and, overall, no major differences in VOC concentrations were found between conventional and high performance buildings. While VOC concentrations have declined from levels measured in earlier decades, opportunities remain to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) by limiting emissions from building-related sources and by increasing ventilation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexuan Zhong
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Feng-Chiao Su
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Stuart Batterman
- Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Verriele M, Schoemaecker C, Hanoune B, Leclerc N, Germain S, Gaudion V, Locoge N. The MERMAID study: indoor and outdoor average pollutant concentrations in 10 low-energy school buildings in France. INDOOR AIR 2016; 26:702-713. [PMID: 26476191 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air quality was characterized in 10 recently built energy-efficient French schools during two periods of 4.5 days. Carbon dioxide time-resolved measurements during occupancy clearly highlight the key role of the ventilation rate (scheduled or occupancy indexed), especially in this type of building, which was tightly sealed and equipped with a dual-flow ventilation system to provide air refreshment. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inorganic gases (ozone and NO2 ) were measured indoors and outdoors by passive techniques during the occupied and the unoccupied periods. Over 150 VOC species were identified. Among them, 27 species were selected for quantification, based on their occurrence. High concentrations were found for acetone, 2-butanone, formaldehyde, toluene, and hexaldehyde. However, these concentrations are lower than those previously observed in conventional school buildings. The indoor/outdoor and unoccupied/occupied ratios are informative regarding emission sources. Except for benzene, ozone, and NO2 , all the pollutants in these buildings have an indoor source. Occupancy is associated with increased levels of acetone, 2-butanone, pentanal, butyl acetate, and alkanes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Verriele
- Mines Douai, SAGE, Douai, France.
- Université de Lille, PhysicoChimie des Processus de Combustion et de l'Atmosphère (PC2A) UMR 8522 CNRS/Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France.
| | - C Schoemaecker
- Université de Lille, PhysicoChimie des Processus de Combustion et de l'Atmosphère (PC2A) UMR 8522 CNRS/Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - B Hanoune
- Université de Lille, PhysicoChimie des Processus de Combustion et de l'Atmosphère (PC2A) UMR 8522 CNRS/Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - N Leclerc
- Association pour la Surveillance et l'Etude de la Pollution Atmosphérique en Alsace (ASPA), Strasbourg, France
| | - S Germain
- Université de Lille, PhysicoChimie des Processus de Combustion et de l'Atmosphère (PC2A) UMR 8522 CNRS/Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - V Gaudion
- Mines Douai, SAGE, Douai, France
- Université de Lille, PhysicoChimie des Processus de Combustion et de l'Atmosphère (PC2A) UMR 8522 CNRS/Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
| | - N Locoge
- Mines Douai, SAGE, Douai, France
- Université de Lille, PhysicoChimie des Processus de Combustion et de l'Atmosphère (PC2A) UMR 8522 CNRS/Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
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Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds in a Newly Built Daycare Center. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:ijerph13070736. [PMID: 27455290 PMCID: PMC4962277 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13070736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We measured temporal changes in concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and individual volatile organic compounds in a newly built daycare center. The temporal changes of the TVOC concentrations were monitored with a photo ionization detector (PID), and indoor air was sampled and analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine the concentrations of the constituent VOCs. The measurements were performed just after completion of the building and again 3 months after completion. The TVOC concentration exceeded 1000 µg·m(-3) for all the sampling locations just after completion of building, and decreased almost one tenth after 3 months, to below the guideline values of the TVOC in Japan at 400 µg·m(-3). The concentrations of the target VOCs of which the indoor concentrations are regulated in Japan were below the guideline values for all the cases. The air-exchange rates were determined based on the temporal changes of the TVOC concentrations, and it was found that the countermeasure to increase the air exchange rate successfully decrease the TVOC concentration level in the rooms.
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Quirós-Alcalá L, Wilson S, Witherspoon N, Murray R, Perodin J, Trousdale K, Raspanti G, Sapkota A. Volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in child care facilities in the District of Columbia: Results from a pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 146:116-124. [PMID: 26748224 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many young children in the U.S. spend a significant portion of their day in child care facilities where they may be exposed to contaminants linked to adverse health effects. Exposure data on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) in these settings is scarce. OBJECTIVE To guide the design of a larger exposure assessment study in urban child care facilities, we conducted a pilot study in which we characterized indoor concentrations of select VOCs and PM. METHODS We recruited 14 child care facilities in the District of Columbia (Washington, DC) and measured indoor concentrations of seven VOCs (n=35 total samples; 2-5 samples per facility): benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, p-xylene, and toluene in all facilities; and collected real-time PM measurements in seven facilities. We calculated descriptive statistics for contaminant concentrations and computed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) to evaluate the variability of VOC levels indoors. We also administered a survey to collect general health information on the children attending these facilities, and information on general housekeeping practices and proximity of facilities to potential sources of target contaminants. RESULTS We detected six of the seven VOCs in the majority of child care facilities with detection frequencies ranging from 71% to 100%. Chloroform and toluene were detected in all samples. Median (range) concentrations for toluene, chloroform, benzene, o-xylene, ethylbenzene, and carbon tetrachloride were: 5.6µg/m(3) (0.6-16.5µg/m(3)), 2.8µg/m(3) (0.4-53.0µg/m(3)), 1.4µg/m(3) (below the limit of detection or <LOD - 4.4µg/m(3)), 1.1µg/m(3) (<LOD - 35.7µg/m(3)), 1.0µg/m(3) (<LOD - 28.5µg/m(3)), and 1.0µg/m(3) (<LOD - 1.6µg/m(3)), respectively. The ICCs for the VOCs measured ranged from 0.32 to 0.75. Child care facility median concentrations for PM2.5 and PM10 were 20.1µg/m(3) and 26.3µg/m(3), respectively. Chlorine bleach, a source of chloroform, was used in almost all facilities, air fresheners and/or scented candles were used in half of the facilities, and at least one child in each facility had physician-diagnosed asthma (median asthma prevalence rate=10.2%). CONCLUSION We found quantifiable levels of VOCs and PM in the child care facilities sampled. Given that exposures to environmental contaminants during critical developmental stages may have long lasting impacts on children's health, larger studies are needed to characterize and identify sources of exposures to these and other indoor contaminants to develop exposure mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Quirós-Alcalá
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - S Wilson
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - N Witherspoon
- Children's Environmental Health Network, Washington, DC, USA
| | - R Murray
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - J Perodin
- Children's Environmental Health Network, Washington, DC, USA
| | - K Trousdale
- Children's Environmental Health Network, Washington, DC, USA
| | - G Raspanti
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - A Sapkota
- Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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