Sensory irritating potency of some microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) and a mixture of five MVOCs
Korpi, A., Kasanen, J.-P, Alarie, Y., Kosma, V. and Pasanen, A-L
1999
Arch Environ Health, 54(5):347-352
Korpi, A., Kasanen, J.-P, Alarie, Y., Kosma, V. and Pasanen, A-L, (1999), "Sensory irritating potency of some microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) and a mixture of five MVOCs", Arch Environ Health, 54(5):347-352.
| Abstract: |
| "IN BUILDINGS that have moisture damage or mold growth, occupants often complain of eye and upper respiratory tract irritation (e.g., soreness of throat, cough).[1-4] Investigators have assumed that these symptoms are caused by volatile organic compounds,[5,6] and partly by volatiles produced microbially.[7] Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), which include alcohols, terpenes, ketones, esters, aromatic compounds, amines, sulfur-containing compounds--and possibly aldehydes--are produced during active growth of microorganisms, particularly molds, and are occasionally released into the air at very low concentrations.
Alarie[8] developed an animal bioassay for the evaluation of the sensory irritating potency of airborne chemicals (including MVOCs). The method was then standardized,[9] and researchers suggested that it be used for the prediction of exposure limits for chemicals to prevent sensory irritation in humans.[10] The evaluation is based on determining the concentration of a chemical capable of producing a 50% decrease [(RD.sub.50)] in respiratory rate in mice when this decrease in respiratory rate is induced by a characteristic pause following inspiration resulting from stimulation of nasal trigeminal nerve endings. More relevant for the indoor air perspective, however, would be the determination of an airborne chemical concentration that would likely not cause any discomfort or sensory irritation---even in the most sensitive people (i.e., a recommended indoor air level [RILl). Investigators can estimate RIL from the high-exposure concentrations, which are used to determine [RD.sub.50] by applying a safety factor. For a very wide variety of chemicals, investigators have shown that their 0.03 x [RD.sub.50] correlates very well with occupational exposure level (OEL), such as threshold limit value (TLV), for 89 chemicals.[10] That level, however, might be too high, resulting from longer exposure time, for acceptable indoor air quality. The OELs are applied to 8 hr/d and 5 d/wk and are established in the interest of protecting the majority of normal adults; however, the indoor exposure time might be 4 times longer, and the major factor for consideration is that more sensitive individuals may exist. Thus, it was suggested that RILs be obtained by dividing the OEL of the chemical by a factor 40, which is the equivalent to dividing the [RD.sub.50] of the chemical by 1 333.[11,12] Moreover, investigators can evaluate the risk of irritation caused by MVOCs in moldy buildings by comparing the RILs with actual indoor air concentrations of MVOCs.[13]
In the present study, the sensory irritating potency of 3 individual MVOCs--l-octen-3-ol, 3-octanol, and 3-octanone--was evaluated in mice, and [RD.sub.50] values and RILs for these MVOCs were established. We selected these compounds because frequently they are released into indoor air during microbial growth in damp building materials,[2,14,15] and because their irritating potencies were a mystery. In addition, in an effort to reveal how MVOCs act together, we determined the [RD.sub.50] value experimentally for a mixture of 5 MVOCs that are among compounds released during microbial growth in building materials.[2] A possible role of these MVOCs as a causative agent of the irritative effects experienced by occupants in moldy houses is discussed, and we have taken into account their potency as sensory irritants and the range of exposure concentrations reported to exist...." |
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