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Chemical In Many Air Fresheners May Reduce Lung Function

Main Category: Asthma / Respiratory News

Article 30 Jul 2006 - 20:00pm (PDT)

 

New research shows that a chemical compound found in many air

fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, mothballs and other deodorizing

products, may be harmful to the lungs. Human population studies at

the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a

part of the National Institutes of Health, found that exposure to a

volatile organic compound (VOC), called 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB)

may cause modest reductions in lung function.

 

" Even a small reduction in lung function may indicate some harm to

the lungs, " said NIEHS researcher Stephanie London, M.D., lead

investigator on the study. " The best way to protect yourself,

especially children who may have asthma or other respiratory

illnesses, is to reduce the use of products and materials that

contain these compounds. "

 

The researchers examined the relationship between blood

concentrations of 11 common volatile organic compounds and lung

function measures in a representative sample of 953 adults. VOCs are

a diverse set of compounds emitted as gases from thousands of

commonly used products, including tobacco smoke, pesticides, paints,

and cleaning products. VOCs are also released through automotive

exhaust. The researchers found that of the common VOCs analyzed,

which included benzene, styrene, toluene, and acetone, only the

compound 1,4 DCB was associated with reduced pulmonary function and

this effect was seen even after careful adjustment for smoking, The

researchers found that 96 percent of the population samples had

detectable 1,4 DCB blood concentration levels. African Americans had

the highest exposure levels and non-Hispanic whites the lowest.

 

This particular VOC, 1,4 DCB, is a white solid compound with a

distinctive aroma, similar to mothballs. It is typically used

primarily as a space deodorant in products such as room deodorizers,

urinal and toilet bowl blocks, and as an insecticide fumigant for

moth control.

 

" Because people spend so much time indoors where these products are

used, it's important that we understand the effects that even low

levels might have on the respiratory system, " said Leslie Elliott,

Ph.D. a researcher on the NIEHS-funded study. " There has been very

little research on the health effects of this particular compound in

non-occupational settings. "

 

The researchers used data from the third National Health and

Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and a special component of the

study specifically designed to assess the level of common pesticides

and VOCs in the US population. NHANES III is a nationally

representative survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention between 1988-1994 to determine the health and

nutritional status of the U.S. population.

 

Data from 953 adults 20-59 years old who had both VOC blood measures

and pulmonary function measures are included in the study published

in the August issue of Environmental Health Perspectives. Four

pulmonary function measures were used in the analyses. The

researchers found modest reductions in pulmonary function with

increasing blood concentrations of 1,4 DCB.

 

There was approximately a 4 percent decrease in the test which

measures forced expiratory volume in 1(FEV1) second between the

highest and lowest levels of exposure. FEV1 is a commonly used index

for assessing airway function and obstruction.

 

The researchers assessed the influence of other factors in an

individual's environment that may be related to pulmonary function

and to 1,4-DCB exposure, such as type of heating, use of wood fires,

age of house, presence of furred pets, occupation, socioeconomic

status, environmental tobacco smoke, smoking history, and diagnosis

of asthma or emphysema. The authors noted that participants might

have been exposed to other agents not assessed in this study1that

have been linked to both respiratory impairment and levels of 1,4-

DCB.

 

" This research suggests that 1,4-DCB may exacerbate respiratory

diseases, " said David A. Schwartz, M.D., NIEHS Director. " As part of

the new disease-focused approach at NIEHS, researchers will use this

information to better understand the pathogenesis of respiratory

diseases. " The NIEHS unveiled a new strategic plan, " New Frontiers in

Environmental Sciences and Human Health, " in May aimed at challenging

and energizing the scientific community to use environmental health

sciences to understand the causes of disease and to improve human

health. The plan can be accessed at

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/plan2006