Irritancy and Allergic Responses Induced by Exposure to the Indoor Air Chemical 4-Oxopentanal

Abstract

Over the last two decades, there has been an increasing awareness regarding the potential impact of indoor air pollution on human health. People working in an indoor environment often experience symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation. Investigations into these complaints have ascribed the effects, in part, to compounds emitted from building materials, cleaning/consumer products, and indoor chemistry. One suspect indoor air contaminant that has been identified is the dicarbonyl 4-oxopentanal (4-OPA). 4-OPA is generated through the ozonolysis of squalene and several high-volume production compounds that are commonly found indoors. Following preliminary workplace sampling that identified the presence of 4-OPA, these studies examined the inflammatory and allergic responses to 4-OPA following both dermal and pulmonary exposure using a murine model. 4-OPA was tested in a combined local lymph node assay and identified to be an irritant and sensitizer. A Th1-mediated hypersensitivity response was supported by a positive response in the mouse ear swelling test. Pulmonary exposure to 4-OPA caused a significant elevation in nonspecific airway hyperreactivity, increased numbers of lung-associated lymphocytes and neutrophils, and increased interferon-γ production by lung-associated lymph nodes. These results suggest that both dermal and pulmonary exposure to 4-OPA may elicit irritant and allergic responses and may help to explain some of the adverse health effects associated with poor indoor air quality.

Volatile organic compound conversion by ozone, hydroxyl radicals, and nitrate radicals in residential indoor air: Magnitudes and impacts of oxidant sources

“…Oxygenated organics formed by O 3 or OH reactions can be acute or chronic irritants, and they can sorb to surfaces, oxidize further, contribute to aerosol formation, or be removed by air exchange (Aalto-Korte et al, 2005; Anderson et al, 2007, 2012; Bein and Leikauf, 2011; Jakubowski and Czerczak, 2010; Jarvis et al, 2005; Kroll and Seinfeld, 2008; Weschler, 2011). The quantification of OH indoors is challenging, but OH has been predicted or measured at ~10 −7 –10 −5 ppb (Carslaw, 2007; Sarwar et al, 2002; Weschler and Shields, 1996, 1997).…”

Evaluation of a medicinal cannabis manufacturing facility with an indoor and outdoor grow operation.

“…While terpenes themselves are generally regarded as safe, they are highly reactive with indoor oxidants such as ozone and hydroxyl radicals [Singer et al 2006;Weschler 2000]. These reactions form highly oxidized species, including ketone and aldehyde products, many of which have shown or are suspected to cause respiratory tract effects including sensory irritation and airflow limitation [Anderson 2012;Jarvis et al 2005].…”

Ozone in indoor environments: Research progress in the past 15 years

“…Indoor exposures to high concentration, not typical and realistic indoor concentrations, of ozone and its initiated chemistry products, would cause adverse health effects (Anderson et al, 2012;Anderson, Khurshid, Meade, Lukomska, & Wells, 2013;Clausen, Wilkins, Wolkoff, & Nielsen, 2001;Wolkoff, Clausen, & Larsen, 2008;Wolkoff, Clausen, & Larsen, 2012;Wolkoff, Larsen, & Hammer, 2013). Studies have shown that exposures to ozone initiated chemistry products, at high end concentrations of typical indoor conditions, may cause trigeminal stimulation and possibly eye irritation (Klenø & Wolkoff, 2004;Nøjgaard, Christensen, & Wolkoff, 2005).…”