Asthma and the indoor environment: the significance of emission of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds from newly painted indoor surfaces

Abstract

As a part of the worldwide European Community Respiratory Health Survey, possible relations between asthma and emissions from newly painted indoor surfaces were studied. The participants (n = 562) answered a self-administered questionnaire, with questions on symptoms and indoor exposures, including indoor painting, during the last 12 months. The participants also underwent a structured interview, spirometry, peak flow measurements at home (PEF), methacholine provocation test for bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR), and skin prick tests. In addition, serum concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein (S-ECP), blood eosinophil count (B-EOS), and total immunoglobulin E (S-IgE) were measured. Current asthma was defined as a combination of BHR and at least one asthma-related symptom (wheezing and attacks of breathlessness). The information gathered on indoor painting was compared with exposure measurements of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) performed in a selected sample of the dwellings (n = 62). Relations between exposures, asthma and clinical signs were calculated by multiple linear or logistic regression, adjusting for possible influence of age, gender and tobacco smoking. The prevalence of asthma was increased among subjects with domestic exposure to newly painted surfaces (OR = 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.4), particularly newly painted wood details (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.2-4.5) and kitchen painting (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-4.5). Moreover, blood eosinophil concentrations were significantly elevated among subjects living in newly painted dwellings. A significantly increased prevalence of symptoms related to asthma, but not BHR, was observed in relation to workplace exposure to newly painted surfaces. The indoor concentration of aliphatic compounds (C8-C11), butanols, and 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB) was significantly elevated in newly painted dwellings. The total indoor VOC was about 100 micrograms/m3 higher in dwellings painted in the last year. A significant increase in formaldehyde concentration was observed in dwellings with newly painted wood details. Our results indicate that exposure to chemical emissions from indoor paint is related to asthma, and that some VOCs may cause inflammatory reactions in the airways. To improve asthma management, and to counteract the increasing frequency of asthma, the significance of the indoor environment should not be neglected. Our study suggests that the contribution of emissions from paint to indoor concentrations of formaldehyde and VOCs should be as low as possible.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Associations with rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue

“…They were combined into one dampness mould variable. Finally, there was one question about indoor painting the last 12 months in the home (Wieslander et al, 1997). The statistical models included adjustments for these home environment factors.…”

Epidemiologic evidence for asthma and exposure to air toxics: linkages between occupational, indoor, and community air pollution research.

“…Wieslander et al (150) aimed to examine respiratory symptoms and asthma outcomes in relation to indoor paint exposures in the Asthma Occurrence • Epidemiologic evidence for asthma and air toxics Environmental Health Perspectives • VOLUME 110 | SUPPLEMENT 4 | AUGUST 2002 last year. They selected an enriched random sample of 562 adult subjects, including asymptomatic responders along with all reporting asthma or nocturnal dyspnea (216 subjects), using the same survey source population as Norbäck et al (149) in Uppsala.…”

Formaldehyde exposure and asthma in children: a systematic review

“…In the United States, the prevalence of asthma is approximately 7% among adults and 9% among children (Akinbami et al 2009;Moorman et al 2007). Among adults, some studies have reported a positive association between formaldehyde and asthma (Wieslander et al 1997), while others have not (Krzyzanowski et al 1990). It has been suggested that certain groups, specifically children, may be particularly sensitive to formaldehyde exposure; however, as with adults, the results have been inconsistent, with some studies reporting an association (Garrett et al 1999) and others not (Symington et al 1991).…”