Volatile Organic Compounds In Air Research Articles

Measurement of 16 volatile organic compounds in restaurant air contaminated with environmental tobacco smoke

Tobacco smoke-related air pollutant levels were studied in ten Finnish restaurants. Markers of tobacco smoke were measured together with other compounds typical of tobacco smoke and indoor air. The measurements were carried out at stationary sampling points in smoking and non-smoking areas of the restaurants in 2005–2006, when at least half of the service area had to be non-smoking according to the Finnish Tobacco Act. The average concentrations (geometric mean, μg/m 3) of the 16 airborne contaminants measured in the smoking area were: nicotine 18.1; toluene 10.6; isoprene 10.2; m, p-xylene 5.0; limonene 4.8; benzene 3.3; furfuryl aldehyde 3.2; 1,3-butadiene 2.7; 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP) 2.5; phenol 2.1; ethyl benzene 1.7; pyridine 1.6; o-xylene 1.5; 3-picoline 1.4; styrene 1.2; and naphthalene 0.45. A good correlation ( r=0.90–0.99, p<0.001) was obtained between tobacco-specific markers (3-EP and nicotine) and 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, pyridine, furfuryl aldehyde, 3-picoline, phenol, and styrene. A poor or no correlation ( r=0.19–0.60) was obtained between 3-EP or nicotine and the rest of the compounds. The average concentrations of all compounds were significantly lower in the non-smoking area than in the smoking area ( p<0.05). In the non-smoking area, the average concentration of 3-EP was 0.35 μg/m 3 and that of nicotine 1.6 μg/m 3. In three restaurants, the area design and ventilation were effective: the average level of 3-EP in the non-smoking section was <3% from that in the smoking section. In the other restaurants, tobacco smoke was spreading more freely and the corresponding value was 14–76%. A sensitive method was applied for the measurement of airborne 1,3-butadiene. The air samples were collected into Carbopack X adsorption tubes and analysed by thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass selective detection. The precision of the method was 4.2% (at 100 ng/sample) and the limit of quantification 0.02 μg/m 3.

Development of a Field Test Method to Evaluate Gaseous Air Cleaner Performance in a Multizone Building

The performance of gaseous air cleaners for commercial and residential buildings has typically been evaluated using test protocols developed for a controlled laboratory chamber or a test duct. It is currently unknown how laboratory measurements relate to the actual performance of an air cleaner installed in a real building. However, to date, there are no air cleaner field test protocols available, thereby limiting the existing field data. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has conducted a series of experiments to support test procedure development for evaluating the installed performance of gaseous air cleaning equipment, as well as metrics for characterizing field performance. To date, over 100 experiments have been completed, of which 23 portable air cleaner experiments and 6 in-duct air cleaner experiments are described in this paper. Tests were conducted in a finished three-bedroom/two-bathroom manufactured house equipped with several gas chromatographs to semi-continuously measure air change rates and volatile organic compound concentrations. Experimental variables included air cleaner location, isolation of zones by closing doors, and contaminant source location. For each experiment, air cleaner removal of decane was directly measured using the air cleaner inlet and outlet concentrations, as well as with mass balance analyses using measured room concentrations. With a verified mass balance model, a field performance metric was developed to compare installed whole-building performance to the performance predicted by a laboratory result. The results provide insight into the protocols and metrics that might prove useful for characterizing the field performance of air cleaners as well as the impact of air cleaner removal on zonal concentration levels in a variety of situations.

Atmospheric oxidation capacity sustained by a tropical forest

Terrestrial vegetation, especially tropical rain forest, releases vast quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the atmosphere, which are removed by oxidation reactions and deposition of reaction products. The oxidation is mainly initiated by hydroxyl radicals (OH), primarily formed through the photodissociation of ozone. Previously it was thought that, in unpolluted air, biogenic VOCs deplete OH and reduce the atmospheric oxidation capacity. Conversely, in polluted air VOC oxidation leads to noxious oxidant build-up by the catalytic action of nitrogen oxides (NO(x) = NO + NO2). Here we report aircraft measurements of atmospheric trace gases performed over the pristine Amazon forest. Our data reveal unexpectedly high OH concentrations. We propose that natural VOC oxidation, notably of isoprene, recycles OH efficiently in low-NO(x) air through reactions of organic peroxy radicals. Computations with an atmospheric chemistry model and the results of laboratory experiments suggest that an OH recycling efficiency of 40-80 per cent in isoprene oxidation may be able to explain the high OH levels we observed in the field. Although further laboratory studies are necessary to explore the chemical mechanism responsible for OH recycling in more detail, our results demonstrate that the biosphere maintains a remarkable balance with the atmospheric environment.

일부 미적용 다중이용시설의 실내 공기 중 알데히드류 및 휘발성유기화합물 노출로 인한 건강위해성 평가

This study was to assess the lifetime cancer and non-cancer risk of exposure of worker and user at public facilities in Korea to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We measured the concentrations of two aldehydes and five VOCs in indoor air at 424 public buildings that 8 kinds of public facilities (70 movie theaters, 86 offices, 86 restaurants, 70 academies, 22 auditoriums, 30 PC-rooms, 30 singing-rooms and 30 bars) all over the country. There were estimated the human exposure dose and risks with averages of the using-time and frequency for facility users and office workers, respectively. Carcinogens (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene) were estimated the lifetime excess cancer risks (ECRs). non-carcinogens (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene) were estimated the hazard quotients (HQs). The average ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene for facility worker and user were level, respectively, in all facilities. HQs of four non-carcinogens did not exceed 1.0 for all subjects in all facilities. The estimated ECRs for restaurant and auditorium were the highest, and the PC-room and bar were the next higher facilities. Furthermore, people in a smoking facility had the highest cancer risk. Higher ECRs of formaldehyde and benzene were observed in indoor smoking facilities such as restaurant and auditorium. Higher HQs of toluene and xylene were observed at the restaurant and office building.

The influence of photocatalytic interior paints on indoor air quality

A clean indoor air is important for the well-being and health of people. Lately, new photocatalytic paints have been launched on the market, which are claimed to have air-purifying effects. Photocatalysis initiates radical reactions. Radicals are formed when a photocatalyst (e.g. TiO2) is subjected to radiation. Typical radicals are the hydroxyl radical (OH) and the superoxide radical (O2−). Radicals cause chain reactions, which degrade and decompose organic compounds. The end products of these chain reactions are water and carbon dioxide, if the reactions are fully completed (mineralization). If mineralization does not take place, then a great number of side products can be formed, whose properties are not well understood. The side products of photocatalytic reactions can be permanent and stabile. The decomposition of indoor air impurities on the surface of photocatalytic paints is not obvious. The ability of photocatalytic indoor paints to reduce chemical indoor air impurities is the key issue of this study. Six different paints with different binder systems, such as lime, polyorganic siloxane, silica sol–gel and organic binders, were examined. The experiments were divided into three topics: degradation of an organic binder, photocatalytic decomposition of formaldehyde, and a volatile organic compound (VOC) mixture consisting of five different indoor air VOCs. All tests were carried out in an environmental test chamber under dynamic conditions. The test results indicate that many indoor pollutants are generated under normal- and UVA-light. Typical compounds formed include formaldehyde, acetone, acetaldehyde, etc. A clear decrease of formaldehyde or the VOC mixture concentration was not observed. All possibly generated compounds could not be collected or analyzed in this research project, but the measurements show that photocatalytic reactions do not generate only carbon dioxide and water. Photocatalytic decomposition of indoor air impurities can, however, produce many side products, which may be stabile and harmful.

Investigation and estimation of emission sources of 54 volatile organic compounds in ambient air in Tokyo

Atmospheric concentrations of 52 hydrocarbons and two aldehydes at roadside and urban sites in Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan were analyzed using GC/MS and HPLC. Monthly sampling was conducted during April 2003–March 2005. Annual average concentrations of individual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the roadside site were 1.7–1.9 times higher than at the urban site, suggesting that vehicle exhausts strongly affect VOC concentrations. Since high temperatures and under the stagnant meteorological conditions might increase VOC concentrations in air, the levels of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic hydrocarbons rose in summer and autumn in 2003 and 2004. The VOCs concentrations against benzene (VOCs/Bz) suggest classifying three groups of VOCs: those mainly from mobile emission sources, those mainly from stationary sources, and those comprising unstable compounds such as aldehydes and 1,3-butadiene. The VOC/Bz technique was applied to registered VOC data from the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR). Results show that these VOCs in ambient air in Tokyo reflect the PRTR estimated release amounts. The VOC/Bz technique based on environmental monitoring data is useful to estimate non-registered VOCs such as butane and isopentane. Results show the possibility of estimating emission sources using VOC/Bz ratios from environmental monitoring data, even when sufficient information on the emission sources are not available.

Relationships between levels of volatile organic compounds in air and blood from the general population

The relationships between levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in blood and air have not been well characterized in the general population where exposure concentrations are generally at parts per billion levels. This study investigates relationships between the levels of nine VOCs, namely, benzene, chloroform, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), tetrachloroethene, toluene, and m-/p- and o-xylene, in blood and air from a stratified random sample of the general US population. We used data collected from 354 participants, including 89 smokers and 265 nonsmokers, aged 20-59 years, who provided samples of blood and air in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2000. Demographic and physiological characteristics were obtained from self-reported information; smoking status was determined from levels of serum cotinine. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the relationships between VOC levels in air and blood, while adjusting for effects of smoking and demographic factors. Although levels of VOCs in blood were positively correlated with the corresponding air levels, the strength of association (R(2)) varied from 0.02 (ethylbenzene) to 0.68 (1,4-DCB). Also the blood-air relationships of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and the xylenes (BTEX) were influenced by smoking, exposure-smoking interactions, and by gender, age, and BMI, whereas those of the other VOCs were not. Interestingly, the particular exposure-smoking interaction for benzene was different from those for toluene, ethylbenzene, and the xylenes. Whereas smokers retained more benzene in their blood at increasing exposure levels, they retained less toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes at increasing exposure levels. Investigators should consider interaction effects of exposure levels and smoking when exploring the blood-air relationships of the BTEX compounds in the general population.

Heterogeneous Photocatalysis as an Advanced Oxidation Process for the Abatement of Chlorinated, Monocyclic Aromatic and Sulfurous Volatile Organic Compounds in Air: State of the Art

This review focuses on both fundamentals and applicability of heterogeneous photocatalysis as an advanced oxidation technology for degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in air, with peer-reviewed literature data published since 1997 being the backbone of this article. Four key issues are covered. First, the underlying principles of heterogeneous photocatalysis are outlined using the band gap model. Second, a detailed overview is given of chlorinated, monocyclic aromatic and sulfurous VOC recently selected as target compounds in lab-scale photocatalytic degradation experiments. Data on reactor types, photocatalysts, reaction conditions, and reported results are tabulated. The third section deals with reaction products, analytical techniques used for separation and/or identification, proposed reaction pathways, and catalyst deactivation. Finally, effects of process parameters such as gas-phase pollutant and oxygen concentration, relative humidity, temperature, and light intensity on degradation kinetics are reviewed.

Real-time continuous monitoring methods for airborne VOCs

Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have adverse health effects and contribute to reactions promoting photochemical smog. The estimated world-wide average emissions of VOCs are about 1809 million tons/year. This overview focuses on the most commonly used methods for real-time monitoring of VOCs in ambient air, including differential optical absorption spectroscopy (limit of detection (LOD) ∼2.6 μg/m 3), low-pressure chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry (MS 2) (LOD ∼2.0 μg/m 3), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization/MS 2 (LOD ∼38.3 μg/m 3) and proton-transfer reaction MS (LOD ∼0.3 μg/m 3). Finally, we present the results from some comparative studies of atmospheric aromatic hydrocarbon measurements involving real-time monitoring methods and gas chromatography-related conventional techniques.

Zeolite‐based cataluminescence sensor for the selective detection of acetaldehyde

The reactions of acetaldehyde with O atoms in the cages of large-pore zeolites have been discovered to result in light emission. The luminescence characteristics of acetaldehyde vapours passing through the surface of chosen zeolites were studied using a cataluminescence-based detection system. To demonstrate the feasibility of the method, the detection of acetaldehyde using catalysts was studied systematically and a linear response of 0.06-31.2 microg/mL acetaldehyde vapour was obtained. Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, methylbenzene, chloroform, dichlormethane and acetonitrile did not interfere with the determination of acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde vapour could also be distinguished from some homologous series such as formaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, glutaraldehyde and benzaldehyde on this catalyst, possibly due to the stereoselectivity of the zeolite and its specific reaction mechanism. Moreover, acetaldehyde was quantified without detectable interference from formaldehyde in four artificial samples. Thus, this kind of cataluminescence-based sensor could be potentially extended to the analysis of volatile organic compounds in air, and the simple and portable properties of cataluminescence-based sensors could also make them beneficial in many areas of analytical science.

Unmetabolized VOCs in Urine as Biomarkers of Low Level Exposure in Indoor Environments

This study aimed to test the possible use of unmetabolized volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urine as biomarkers of low-level indoor environmental exposure. Twenty-four subjects in 13 dwellings in a prefecture of Japan participated in this study. Air samples of the breathing zone were collected in the living room and bedroom, along with spot urine samples (before bedtime and first morning voids). Toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, styrene and p-dichlorobenzene in the air and urine samples were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. For the 21 subjects without solvent exposure at work, there were significant correlations between the time-weighted average air concentrations in the bedroom and morning urinary concentrations for toluene, o-xylene, total xylene and p-dichlorobenzene (correlation coefficients of 0.54, 0.61, 0.56 and 0.84, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis showed only air VOCs in the bedroom influenced the morning urinary VOC concentrations. We concluded that unmetabolized VOCs in the urine can provide a reliable biological indicator for air VOC exposures in non-occupational environments.

VOC emissions during outdoor ship painting and health-risk assessment

Painting of ship external surfaces in building or repair shipyards generates significant emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) to the atmosphere. Such emissions have not been specifically regulated so far. The purpose of our study is therefore to evaluate the quantities and as far as possible the nature of the emitted VOC, to characterize the dispersion of these chemicals in the atmosphere and to assess the exposure and resulting health risks for surrounding populations. This study is focused on VOC emitted during outdoor work involving use of paints and solvents. VOC emissions are diffuse, since they come from the whole painted surfaces. A methodology for quantifying them is developed and tested, using information provided by ALSTOM—Chantiers de l’Atlantique and data found in paint technical sheets. Its reliability is checked against emission values established by ALSTOM or found in literature. Then, for two particular situations, construction on one hand, repair on the other hand, atmospheric dispersion of total VOC is simulated to assess the long-term impact (characterized by the plume extension and the annual mean concentrations) of these compounds. Finally, a health-risk assessment based on the estimates is carried out to evaluate the risks by inhalation for people living near the site. Considering the presumed composition of paints and the available reference toxicological values, total VOC are entirely assimilated to toluene. In both examples (construction and repair) and in the current state of knowledge, the calculated risk is not of health concern. Several ways for taking this study further are proposed: a more exhaustive collection of data relative to VOC and other substances contained in paints, on-site measurement of VOC in the ambient air, characterization of diffuse emissions related to other activities, such as purging or welding, and other pollutants, like particles.

Biofiltration of ethylbenzene vapours: Influence of the packing material

In order to investigate suitable packing materials, a soil amendment composed of granular high mineralized peat (35% organic content) locally available has been evaluated as carrier material for biofiltration of volatile organic compounds in air by comparison with a fibrous peat (95% organic content). Both supports were tested to eliminate ethylbenzene from air streams in laboratory-scale reactors inoculated with a two-month conditioned culture. In pseudo-steady state operation, experiments at various ethylbenzene inlet loads (ILs) were carried out. Maximum elimination capacity of about 120 g m −3 h −1 for an IL of 135 g m −3 h −1 was obtained for the fibrous peat. The soil amendment reactor achieved a maximum elimination capacity of about 45 g m −3 h −1 for an inlet load of 55 g m −3 h −1. Ottengraf–van den Oever model was applied to the prediction of the performance of both biofilters. The influence of gas flow rate was also studied: the fibrous peat reactor kept near complete removal efficiency for empty bed residence times greater than 1 min. For the soil amendment reactor, an empty bed residence time greater than 2 min was needed to achieve adequate removal efficiency. Concentration profiles along the biofilter were also compared: elimination occurred in the whole fibrous peat biofilter, while in the soil amendment reactor the biodegradation only occurred in the first 65% part of the biofilter. Results indicated that soil amendment material, previously selected to increase the organic content, would have potential application as biofilter carrier to treat moderate VOC inlet loads.

Personal exposures to volatile organic compounds among outdoor and indoor workers in two Mexican cities

There are limited data on exposures to ambient air toxics experienced by inhabitants of urban areas in developing countries that have high levels of outdoor air pollution. In particular, little is known about exposures experienced by individuals working outdoors - typically as part of the informal sector of the economy - as compared to workers in office-type environments that approach the indoor air quality conditions of the more developed countries. The objective of this study is to explore these differences in personal exposures using a convenience sample of 68 outdoor and indoor workers living in Mexico City (higher outdoor air pollution) and Puebla (lower outdoor air pollution), Mexico. Occupational and non-occupational exposures to airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored during a 2 day period, monitoring 2 consecutives occupational and non-occupational periods, using organic vapor monitors (OVMs). Socio-demographic and personal time-location-activity information were collected by means of questionnaires and activity logs. Outdoor workers experienced significantly higher exposures to most VOCs compared to indoor workers in each of these cities. The outdoor workers in Mexico City had the highest exposures both during- and off-work, with maximum occupational exposures for toluene, MTBE, n-pentane, and d-limonene exceeding 1 mg/m(3). The inter-city pattern of exposures between the outdoor workers is consistent with the higher outdoor air pollution levels in Mexico City, and is above exposures reported for urban areas of the more developed countries. Results from this study suggest that elevated outdoor air pollution concentrations have a larger impact on outdoor workers' personal exposures compared to the contribution from indoor pollution sources. This contrasts with the more dominant role of indoor air VOC contributions to personal exposures typically reported for urban populations of the more developed countries.

Indoor Air Quality of Public Places in Mumbai, India in Terms of Volatile Organic Compounds

Indoor air quality at nine locations viz. food courts, restaurant, bar, conference room, office and theater, which can be classified as public places have been monitored for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) content. Forty VOCs have been identified and one fourth of these are classified as Hazardous Air Pollutants. Levels of most VOCs are observed to be below the guideline values for public places and offices, as adopted by Hong Kong. Consumer goods are found to be predominant source of chlorinated VOCs in indoor air. Levels of benzene and carbon tetrachlorides were observed to be above the guideline values at all the locations. Effect of ozonisation on Total VOC concentrations have also been studied.

Volatile Organic Compounds in Human Milk: Methods and Measurements

The present study was conducted to optimize methods for measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by use of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and to provide a preliminary assessment of levels in human milk. MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), chloroform, benzene, and toluene were measured from two sources of milk: a North Carolina milk bank (n = 5) and multiple samples from three women within nonsmoking households in inner-city Baltimore, MD (n = 8). In Baltimore, indoor air VOC concentrations in the respective households were also measured by active sampling and thermal desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selective ion monitoring (GC/MS/SIM) over each of the 3 days of milk collection. By application of these optimized methods, we observed median VOC concentrations in Baltimore human milk of 0.09, 0.55, 0.12, and 0.46 ng/mL for MTBE, chloroform, benzene, and toluene, respectively. For benzene, toluene, and MTBE, milk levels trended with observed indoor air concentrations. On the basis of measured concentrations in air and milk, infant average daily dose by inhalation exceeded ingestion rates by 25-135-fold. Thus, VOC exposure from breast milk is vastly exceeded by that from indoor air in nonsmoking households. Accordingly, strategies to mitigate infant VOC exposure should focus on the indoor air inhalation pathway of exposure.

Development of a PTR-TOFMS instrument for real-time measurements of volatile organic compounds in air

A proton transfer reaction-time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOFMS) has been developed for real-time measurements of volatile organic compounds in air. The instrument is designed to be operated with a hollow cathode discharge ion source and an ion drift tube at relatively high pressures. Each component of the system, an ion source, a drift tube, an ion transfer region, and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer, are in detail characterized by a number of laboratory experiments. The optimized instrumental configuration enables us to gain high intensities of hydronium (H 3O +) ions, typically ∼7 × 10 5 counts for 1-min integration at a drift tube pressure of ∼5 Torr. It also suppresses background signals, and interferences from sample air (NO + and O 2 +), which undergo fast reactions with volatile organic compounds, to ∼0.5% of those of H 3O + ions. We find that the use of the custom-built discharge source show higher overall sensitivities than of a commercially available radioactive source. Potentials to detect oxygenated VOCs (aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols), halocarbons, and amines are also suggested. The detection limits for acetaldehyde, acetone, isoprene, benzene, toluene, and p-xylene were determined to be at the sub-ppbv levels for a 1-min integration time. A good linear response at trace levels is certified, but slight sensitivity dependency on water vapor contents is revealed. We finally demonstrate that the instrument can be used for on-line monitoring to detect large variations from emission sources in real-time.

Volatile organic compounds in marine air at Cape Grim, Australia

Environmental context. Gaseous organic compounds fuel the production of ozone in the background lower atmosphere. There have been no measurements of many of these compounds in the temperate and polar latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. Here some first results are presented that show in general much lower concentrations than the Northern Hemisphere, due in part to the lower land surfaces and biomass burning in the Southern Hemisphere. Abstract. Measurements were made of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at Cape Grim using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) during the Precursors to Particles (P2P) Campaign from 10 February to 1 March 2006. Approximately 14 days of clean air data were obtained along with 4 days of data from when polluted air, first from a smoke plume from a fire on Robbins Island adjacent to the station and then air from Victoria, was present. This paper deals with the results obtained in clean air, the focus of the P2P campaign. The protonated masses and probable VOCs measured in the clean marine air were: methanol, 33; acetonitrile, 42; acetaldehyde, 45; acetone, 59; isoprene, 69; methylvinyl ketone/methacrolein (MVK/MACR), 71; methylethyl ketone, 73; and benzene, 79. The measurements at Cape Grim were in some cases near the detection limit and an analytical challenge. The range of concentrations detected in clean maritime air, the relationship to the limited range of previous measurements in marine air in the Northern Hemisphere tropics, and the physical, chemical and biological processes controlling these compounds in the marine air are discussed. The methanol concentrations observed at Cape Grim are consistent with global modelling, incorporating sources that are mainly of vegetation origin. Isoprene has recently been implicated as a precursor to cloud condensation nuclei over the Southern Ocean. In this snapshot of observations at Cape Grim, Tasmania, isoprene and the isoprene oxidation products MVK and MACR appeared to be absent in air from the Southern Ocean. However, isoprene has a very short atmospheric lifetime and the spatial distribution of its emissions may be very heterogeneous. The concentrations of the other VOCs in marine air at Cape Grim, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, methylethyl ketone and benzene, were typically a factor of four lower than that observed over the remote tropical ocean in the Northern Hemisphere. The lower concentrations of carbonyls and their precursor hydrocarbons may indicate a limitation on ozone production potential in the Southern Hemisphere compared with the Northern Hemisphere troposphere. Additional keywords: atmospheric composition, oxygenated volatile organic compounds, proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, Southern Ocean, volatile organic compounds.

Development of Competition Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Determination of Formaldehyde in Serum

Sick-building symptoms associated with indoor air volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde in new or newly remodeled houses, have been increasingly highlighted, and are known as sick house syndrome in Japan. We developed a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring formaldehyde in serum. The specificity of the antiserum generated with formaldehyde-rabbit serum albumin conjugates and the application to the detection of formaldehyde in serum were evaluated. The antiserum selectively reacted with formaldehyde conjugated to rabbit, human, rat and bovine-serum albumins, but not with unconjugated albumins. The quantitative working range of formaldehyde-human serum albumin conjugates was from 0.5 to 500 ng/well.

Two Sensitive Sick-building Syndrome Patients Possibly Responding to p-Dichlorobenzene and 2-Ethyl-1-Hexanol: Case Report

Sick-building syndrome (SBS) symptoms associated with indoor air volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new or newly remodeled houses have been increasingly highlighted, and are known as “sick house syndrome” in Japan. In the course of the investigation of SBS patients, we found two sensitive patients who complained of severe symptoms and had elevated serum levels of p-dichlorobenzene and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. One patient was a housewife, who complained of various symptoms such as headache, itching eyes, nasal irritation, and night sweats and had a high serum level of p-dichlorobenzene (25.4 ng/ml). She showed some improvement of symptoms in association with the gradual decrease in p-dichlorobenzene concentrations in both her bedroom and her serum. The other patient was a female professor who had experienced mainly respiratory symptoms, such as nonproductive cough, throat irritation, etc. when she entered her office, classrooms, and a faculty meeting room in a university building. Her serum 2-ethyl-1-hexanol concentration was 4.6 ng/ml, which was more than 7.7-fold higher than that in four other patients with other onsets. The elevation of her serum 2-ethyl-1-hexanol level was assumed to be due to daily exposure in the university building.