Exposure to volatile organic compounds and associated health risks in windsor, Canada

Abstract

ObjectiveWe examined relationships among measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and performed cancer and non-cancer risk assessments to determine potential adverse health effects. MethodsPersonal, indoor and outdoor concentrations of VOCs were measured for 50 non-smoking adults in Windsor, Ontario during winter and summer 2005. The potential excess cancer cases associated with personal concentration were estimated by the Inhalation Unit Risk (USEPA IRIS) and Tumorigenic Concentration (Health Canada). Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC) was used to evaluate non-cancer adverse effects. Indoor and personal concentrations were statistically compared. Correlations of personal concentrations were estimated to investigate the associations among VOCs. ResultsEstimated median lifetime excess cancer risks (95th percentile upper-bound) of benzene and 1,3-butadiene were 8.09 and 4.77 per 1 million. Acetaldehyde presented the highest non-cancer risk. For some VOCs, the personal and indoor geometric means were similar, but arithmetic personal means were higher than the arithmetic indoor means (p < 0.05). Negative correlations among personal VOC concentrations were not sizable. ConclusionEvaluation of potential cancer and non-cancer risks from VOCs at the personal level should not rely merely on ambient (indoor and outdoor) VOC concentrations. Our analysis showed that personal risk had a complicated pattern that needs further investigation. Our results can be used to prioritize mitigation strategies to protect human health.