In-situ Real-Time Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compound Exposure and Heart Rate Variability for Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Atsushi Mizukoshi,Kazuhiro Yoshiuchi,Kou Sakabe,Miyuki Noguchi,Naomichi Yamamoto,Yukio Yanagisawa,Hiroaki Kumano,Kazukiyo Kumagai

doi:10.3390/ijerph121012446

Abstract

In-situ real-time monitoring of volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure and heart rate variability (HRV) were conducted for eight multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) patients using a VOC monitor, a Holter monitor, and a time-activity questionnaire for 24 h to identify the relationship between VOC exposure, biological effects, and subjective symptoms in actual life. The results revealed no significantly different parameters for averaged values such as VOC concentration, HF (high frequency), and LF (low frequency) to HF ratio compared with previous data from healthy subjects (Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2010, 7, 4127–4138). Significant negative correlations for four subjects were observed between HF and amounts of VOC change. These results suggest that some patients show inhibition of parasympathetic activities along with VOC exposure as observed in healthy subjects. Comparing the parameters during subjective symptoms and normal condition, VOC concentration and/or VOC change were high except for one subject. HF values were low for five subjects during subjective symptoms. Examining the time-series data for VOC exposure and HF of each subject showed that the subjective symptoms, VOC exposure, and HF seemed well related in some symptoms. Based on these characteristics, prevention measures of symptoms for each subject may be proposed.

Highlights

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has been defined as an acquired disorder characterized by recurrent symptoms, referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful effects [1]
high frequency (HF) were seen in five out of eight subjects. These results indicate that HF tends to be low when the volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations increase or decrease
In-situ real-time monitoring of VOC exposure and heart rate variability (HRV) were conducted for eight multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) patients using a VOC monitor, a Holter monitor, and a time-activity pattern for 24 h to identify the relationship between

Summary

Introduction

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has been defined as an acquired disorder characterized by recurrent symptoms, referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful effects [1]. Provocation challenges have been conducted to clarify whether the patients show different responses to low levels of exposure [3]. These tests are conducted in controlled environments. Exposure-symptom relationships in actual lives may be different from those in controlled environments. It is essential to understand the actual conditions of MCS measurements of chemical exposure and symptoms in actual life. Few studies have been done measuring chemical exposure of patients in actual lives and evaluating the relationship to the symptoms. Shinohara et al [5] measured the exposures of 15 MCS patients to both carbonyl compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may induce hypersensitive reaction in actual lives

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Discussion

Conclusion