Personal Exposure of Children to CO and VOCs in Trujillo, Peru

Abstract

P-424 Abstract: Human development is complex and pollution exposure could impact development of vital organs. At birth the respiratory system is about 20% of complete development and childhood exposure to pollution can effect this system development. Epidemiological evidence associates exposure to benzene to leukemia and exposure to toluene to effects on CNS. Children are not small adults and pollution exposure may have different effects on them then in adults. These effects are influenced by the behavior of children in the way they interact with the environment. This study was conducted in to evaluate personal exposure of children to CO and VOCs. Methods: Thirty-five children were voluntarily recruited. Children eligibility included: (A) exposed children (N-25) residing near a gas service station (B) control children not residing near major motorways or a gas service station. Questionnaires were used to obtain data on (1) demographics, (2) environmental characterization of the home, (3) methods and habits of transportation and (4) daily activity characterization. We also used a time budget activity dairy. Exposures were measured for one day during children’s normal activities. CO was measured using a Draeger passive diffusion color stain tube and a CO Draeger pack III monitor with data logger. VOCs were measured using diffuse steel tubes containing Tenax as an adsorbent. Results: 1.-Exposed children: CO (in ppm): TWA: 2.30 (SD:1.83, max. 7.2, min. 0.0), 15 seconds: 15.63 (SD: 13.04, max.38.0, min. 0.0), 15 minutes: 3.98 (SD: 4.80, max. 14.90, min. 0.0), 1 hour:1.53 (SD: 1.79, max.5.3, min. 0.0), full shift: 0.49 (SD: 0.78, max. 2.40, min. 0.0). Benzene (in ug/m3): 7.94 (SD: 2.96, max.14.56, min. 3.78) Toluene(in ug/m3): 63.63 (SD: 23.38, max. 93.23, min. 18.88) 2.- Control children: CO (in ppm): TWA: 1.47 (SD: 2.10, max. 6.90, min.0.00), 15 seconds: 11.20 (SD: 11.59, max. 32.00, min. 0.00), 15 minutes: 4.96 (SD: 5.76, max. 15.20, min. 0.00), 1 hour: 3.41 (SD: 4.36, max. 12.00, min. 0.00), full shift: 0.83 (SD: 1.10, max. 3.10, min. 0.00). Discussion: Exposures to CO and VOCs are of concern and warrant further investigation. Exposure to CO is positively correlated to education, residence location and type of fuel used for cooking. Exposure pattern for one child could lead to CO bio-accumulation. Exposure to VOCs is positively correlated to smoking in the residence. We also estimate that VOCs exposure is affected by evaporative VOCs emissions from nearby gas service stations.