A Case-control Study: Exposure Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds and Formaldehyde for Asthma in Children

Abstract

PP-29-085 Background/Aims: On the basis of results of a questionnaire distributed to the parents of students in an elementary school located in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, an asthma case group and a control group were selected. Methods: Through written messages sent to the parents of students, informed consent was obtained; 33 and 40 students were enrolled in the case and control groups, respectively. To determine the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde levels of exposure, we performed personal, indoor, and outdoor measurements using a passive sampler for 3 days. In addition, the behavior patterns for the 3 days in the case and control groups were determined through daily time-activity pattern-diaries. The VOCs were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, and formaldehyde was analyzed by a UV spectrophotometer. Results: In comparing the results of the levels of VOCs and formaldehyde exposure between the case and control groups, it was shown that toluene and o-xylene were higher in personal sampling, and the benzene concentration was higher in the case group in indoor measurements. In outdoor measurements, benzene and methylcyclohexane were higher in the patient group (P < 0.05), the asthma ORs were 1.1 and 32.9, respectively. Based on the activity content analysis by time, it was shown that the students spent 88.0%, 7.2%, and 4.9% of their time indoors, outdoors, and in traffic, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, it was shown that the childhood asthma case group was exposed to higher VOCs than the control group, and it was found by measurement methods that VOCs in personal sampling were higher than the values obtained in indoor and outdoor measurements, and the formaldehyde value was the highest in indoor measurements. Therefore, management of VOCs and formaldehyde is required for the prevention of childhood asthma, and personal measurement should be considered for proper evaluation.