This study suggests that it may be possible to reduce building-related symptoms by altering exposure to certain SVOCs, such as tributylphosphate commonly found in ceiling and wall coverings and s-421 used as a synergist for pyrethroids. The association between SHS and s-421 suggested that use of pyrethroid insecticides could elicit symptoms of SHS. However, further studies are necessary to test the associations observed in the present study and to examine whether the SVOCs associated with symptoms are causative agents or simply surrogates for some other factor that is causing the symptoms.

Organophosphate esters are used as additives in flame retardants and plasticizers, and they are ubiquitous in the indoor environment. Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) are present in residential dust, but few epidemiological studies have assessed their impact on human health. We measured the levels of 11 PFRs in indoor floor dust and multi-surface dust in 182 single-family dwellings in Japan. We evaluated their correlations with asthma and allergies of the inhabitants. Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate was detected in all samples (median value: 580 μg/g in floor dust, 111 μg/g in multi-surface dust). Tris(2-chloro-iso-propyl) phosphate (TCIPP) was detected at 8.69 μg/g in floor dust and 25.8 μg/g in multi-surface dust. After adjustment for potential confounders, significant associations were found between the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and the presence of TCIPP and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate in floor dust [per log10 -unit, odds ratio (OR): 2.43 and 1.84, respectively]. Tributyl phosphate was significantly associated with the prevalence of asthma (OR: 2.85 in floor dust, 5.34 in multi-surface dust) and allergic rhinitis (OR: 2.55 in multi-surface dust). PFR levels in Japan were high compared with values reported previously for Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the USA. Higher levels of PFRs in house dust were related to the inhabitants' health status.

A potent antioxidative compound in crude canola oil, canolol, was recently identified, and reported herein are studies of its scavenging capacity against the endogenous mutagen peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). ONOO(-) is generated by the reaction between superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide, both of which are produced by inflammatory leukocytes. Among various antioxidative substances of natural or synthetic origin, canolol was one of the most potent antimutagenic compounds when Salmonella typhimurium TA102 was used in the modified Ames test. Its potency was higher than that of flavonoids (e.g., rutin) and alpha-tocopherol and was equivalent to that of ebselen. Canolol suppressed ONOO(-)-induced bactericidal action. It also reduced intracellular oxidative stress and apoptosis in human cancer SW480 cells when used at a concentration below 20 microM under H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress. In addition, canolol suppressed plasmid DNA (pUC19) strand breakage induced by ONOO(-), as revealed by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Abstract:Micro-organisms are known to produce a range of volatile organic compounds, so-called microbial VOC (MVOC). Chamber studies where humans were exposed to MVOC addressed the acute effects of objective and/or subjective signs of mucosal irritation. However, the effect of MVOC on inhabitants due to household exposure is still unclear. The purpose of this epidemiological study was to measure indoor MVOC levels in single family homes and to evaluate the relationship between exposure to them and sick building syndrome (SBS). All inhabitants of the dwellings were given a self-administered questionnaire with standardized questions to assess their symptoms.Air samples were collected and the concentrations of eight selected compounds in indoor air were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry -selective ion monitoring mode (GC/MS-SIM). The most frequently detected MVOC was 1-pentanol at a detection rate of 78.6% and geometric mean of 0.60 μg/m 3 . Among 620 participants, 120 (19.4%) reported one or more mucous symptoms; irritation of the eyes, nose, airway, or coughing every week (weekly symptoms), and 30 (4.8%) reported that the symptoms were home-related (home-related symptoms). Weekly symptoms were not associated with any of MVOC, whereas significant associations between home-related mucous symptoms and 1-octen-3-ol (per log 10 -unit: odds ratio (OR) 5.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.1 to 14.8) and 2-pentanol (per log 10 -unit: OR 2.3, 95%CI: 1.0 to 4.9) were obtained after adjustment for gender, age, and smoking.Associations between home-related symptoms and 1-octen-3-ol remained after mutual adjustment. However, concentrations of the selected compounds in indoors were lower than the estimated safety level in animal studies. Thus, the statistically significant association between 1-octen-3-ol may be due to a direct effect of the compounds or the associations may be being associated with other offending compounds. Additional studies are needed to evaluate these possibilities.