Study - Chemical in many air fresheners may reduce lung function

[Guest guest]

Sure makes me glad that I make my own house cleaners & air fresheners!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-07/nioe-cim072706.php

 

Chemical in many air fresheners may reduce lung function

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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

component of the National Institutes of Health, supports research to

understand the effects of the environment on human health. For more

information on environmental health topics, please visit our website at

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

 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research

Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the

U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal

agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational

medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures

for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and

its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov <http://www.nih.gov/> .

 

Reference: Elliott L, Longnecker MP, Kissling GE, and London SJ.

Volatile Organic Compounds and Pulmonary Function in the Third National

Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-1994. Environmental Health

Perspectives. Volume 114, Number 8, August 2006. View Article Abstract

http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2006/9019/abstract.html.