Rapid Methods to Estimate Potential Exposure to Semivolatile Organic Compounds in the Indoor Environment

Abstract

A systematic and efficient strategy is needed to assess and manage potential risks to human health that arise from the manufacture and use of thousands of chemicals. Among available tools for rapid assessment of large numbers of chemicals, significant gaps are associated with the capability to evaluate exposures that occur indoors. For semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), exposure is strongly influenced by the types of products in which these SVOCs occur. We propose methods for obtaining screening-level estimates for two primary SVOC source classes: additives in products used indoors and ingredients in products sprayed or applied to interior surfaces. Accounting for product use, emission characteristics, and the properties of the SVOCs, we estimate exposure via inhalation of SVOCs in the gas-phase, inhalation of SVOCs sorbed to airborne particles, ingestion of SVOCs sorbed to dust, and dermal sorption of SVOCs from the air into the blood. We also evaluate how exposure to the general public will change if chemical substitutions are made. Further development of a comprehensive set of models including the other SVOC-containing products and the other SVOC exposure pathways, together with appropriate methods for estimating or measuring the key parameters (in particular, the gas-phase concentration in equilibrium with the material-phase concentration of the SVOC in the product, or y(0)), is needed. When combined with rapid toxicity estimates, screening-level exposure estimates can contribute to health-risk-based prioritization of a wide range of chemicals of concern.

Occurrence of triphenylphosphine oxide and other organophosphorus compounds in indoor air and settled dust of an institute building

“…Systematic over-prediction of SVOC concentrations in settled dust based on SVOC concentrations in C p and/or in C g cannot be explained solely by the large variations in the f om and ρ values of airborne particles and settled dust indoors that were reported from in various studies [35][36][37]. or gaseous phase and settled dust could be reached [38]. In the present study, C p values were derived from OP values determined in the filters.…”

Characterization of emissions from spray polyurethane foam - final report to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

“…In contrast, the emissions of semi-volatile organic chemicals (SVOCs) tend to be environment dependent and controlled by the airflow above the material. 15 Since the airflow above a material can be significantly different in a chamber and in a full scale building, SVOC chamber emission factors from micro-chamber studies should not be directly applied to full scale buildings. Emission parameters (mass transfer coefficient, initial concentration, partition coefficient, and diffusion coefficient) are needed to accurately predict the concentrations of SVOCs in buildings.…”

“…Emission parameters (mass transfer coefficient, initial concentration, partition coefficient, and diffusion coefficient) are needed to accurately predict the concentrations of SVOCs in buildings. 15 Traditionally, VOCs and SVOCs are defined based upon their vapor pressures or boiling points. TCPP has a wide range of reported values for vapor pressures.…”

Dermal Uptake from Airborne Organics as an Important Route of Human Exposure to E-Waste Combustion Fumes

“…10,27 Thus, dermal uptake from airborne pollutants should be regarded as a significant pathway for human exposure to e-waste combustion fume, particularly for volatile organic pollutants with high dermal penetration rates or with low dermal penetration rates but abundant contents during e-waste combustion. Tables 2 and S3 of Little et al 27 and Tables 1 and 3 of Weschler et al 10 except the value of 24 h were used for ED, k p_g for BDE-99 was derived from the equations from Table 1 On the other hand, dermal uptake from airborne pollutants has been recognized as a significant input route in occupational exposure. 26,28 Urinary samples from firefighters postfirefighting contained elevated concentration levels of aromatics (e.g., benzene) and selected PAHs and their metabolites, although self-contained breathing apparatus and protective equipment were used.…”