In Situ and Rapid Toxicity Assessment of Air Pollution by Self-Assembly Passive Colonization Hydrogel.

Air pollution is a leading environmental health risk factor, and in situ toxicity assessment is urgently needed. Bacteria-based bioassays offer cost-effective and rapid toxicity assessments. However, the application of these bioassays for air toxicity assessment has been challenging, due to the instability of bacterial survival and functionality when directly exposed to air pollutants. Here, we developed an approach employing self-assembly passive colonization hydrogel (SAPCH) for in situ air toxicity assessment. The SAPCH features a core-shell structure, enabling the quantitatively immobilization of bacteria on its shell while continuously provides nutrients from its core. An antimicrobial polyelectrolyte layer between the core and shell confines bacteria to the air-liquid interface, synchronizing bacterial survival with exposure to air pollutants. The SAPCH immobilized a battery of natural and recombinant luminescent bacteria, enabling simultaneous detection of various toxicological endpoints (cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and oxidative stress) of air pollutants within 2 h. Its sensitivity was 3-5 orders of magnitude greater than that of traditional liquid-phase toxicity testing, and successfully evaluating the toxicity of volatile organic compounds and combustion smoke. This study presents a method for in situ, rapid, and economical toxicity assessment of air pollution, making a significant contribution to future air quality monitoring and control.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds and growth indicators in adolescents: Unveiling the association and potential intervention strategies.

Environmental pollutant is considered to be one of the important factors affecting adolescent growth. However, the effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure on adolescent growth have not been assessed. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2018 was used to examine the associations between VOCs exposure and adolescent growth indicators through three statistical models. The mediating effect of bone mineral density (BMD) on these associations was examined. The potential pathways and key targets were identified by the network pharmacology analysis methods. This study included 746 adolescents. Three statistical methods consistently showed a negative correlation between VOCs exposure and adolescent growth indicators. Furthermore, BMD mediated the relationship between VOCs exposure and adolescent growth indicators, with mediated proportion ranging from 4.3 % to 53.4 %. Network pharmacology analysis found a significant enrichment in IL-17 signaling pathway. Moreover, the adverse effects of VOCs exposure on adolescent growth were observed to significantly attenuate in adolescents with high serum vitamin D levels. Our results suggested that VOCs exposure was an adverse factor affecting adolescent growth, with BMD playing a significant regulatory role, and IL-17 signaling pathway was the underlying mechanism. Vitamin D supplementation may be a viable strategy to prevent VOCs exposure from affecting adolescent growth.

Type-specific inflammatory responses of vascular cells activated by interaction with virgin and aged microplastics.

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as a major environmental problem due to their ubiquitous presence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation in food chains. Not only humans are continuously exposed to these pollutants through ingestion and inhalation, but recent findings suggest they may trigger vascular inflammation and potentially worsen the clinical conditions of cardiovascular patients. Here we combine headspace analysis by needle trap microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-NTME-GC-MS) and biological assays to evaluate the effects of polystyrene, high- and low-density polyethylene MPs on phenotype, metabolic activity, and pro-inflammatory status of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells (VSMCs) the most prominent cells in vascular walls. Virgin and artificially aged MPs (4 weeks at 40 °C and 750 W/m2 simulated solar irradiation) were comparatively tested at 1 mg/mL to simulate a realistic exposure scenario. Our results clearly show the activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes when VSMCs were cultured with aged polymers, with significant overexpression of IL-6 and TNF-α. In addition, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including pentane, acrolein, propanal, and hexanal as the main components, were released by VSMCs into the headspace. Type-specific VOC response profiles were induced on vascular cells from different MPs.

Sexual dimorphism association of combined exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOC) with kidney damage.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence emphasizes air pollutants' role in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to air pollution, yet research on VOCs and kidney damage, especially gender disparities, is limited. METHODS: This study analyzed NHANES data to explore associations between urinary VOC metabolite mixtures (VOCMs) and key kidney-related parameters: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and albuminuria. Mediation analyses assessed the potential mediating roles of biological aging (BA) and serum albumin in VOCM mixtures' effects on kidney damage. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted. RESULTS: The mixture analysis unveiled a noteworthy positive association between VOCM mixtures and the risk of developing CKD, coupled with a significant negative correlation with eGFR within the overall participant cohort. These findings remained consistent when examining the female subgroup. However, among male participants, no significant link emerged between VOCM mixtures and CKD or eGFR. Furthermore, in both the overall and female participant groups, there was an absence of a significant correlation between VOCM mixtures and either ACR or albuminuria. On the other hand, in male participants, while no significant correlation was detected with albuminuria, a significant positive correlation was observed with ACR. Pollutant analysis identified potential links between kidney damage and 1,3-butadiene, toluene, ethylbenzene, styrene, xylene, acrolein, crotonaldehyde and propylene oxide. Mediation analyses suggested that BA might partially mediate the relationship between VOCM mixtures and kidney damage. CONCLUSION: The current findings highlight the widespread exposure to VOCs among the general U.S. adult population and indicate a potential correlation between exposure to VOC mixtures and compromised renal function parameters, with notable gender disparities. Females appear to exhibit greater sensitivity to impaired renal function resulting from VOCs exposure. Anti-aging treatments may offer some mitigation against kidney damage due to VOCs exposure.

Characterization, hazard identification, and risk assessment of volatile organic compounds in Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)-based food contact articles.

The chemical safety of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) based food contact articles (FCAs) has aroused increasing toxicological concerns in recent years, but the chemical characterization and associated risk assessment still remain inadequate as it fails to elucidate the distribution pattern and discern the potential genotoxic and carcinogenic hazards of the identified substances. Herein, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 50 batches of PBAT-based FCAs of representative categories and 10 batches of PLA and PBAT pellets were characterized, by which 237 VOCs of 10 chemical categories were identified and exhibited characteristic distribution patterns in the chemical spaces derived from their molecular descriptors. Chemical hazards associated with the identified VOCs were discerned by a hazard-driven classification scheme integrating hazard-related knowledge from multiple publicly available sources, and 34 VOCs were found to bear genotoxic or carcinogenic hazards and to feature higher average molecular weight than the other VOCs. Finally, the Risk and hazard quotient (HQ) calculated as the metrics of risk suggested that all identified VOCs posed acceptable risks (Risk<10-4 or HQ < 1), whereas oxolane, butyrolactone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 2-butoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, and 1,2,3-trichloropropane posed non-negligible (Risk>10-6) genotoxic or carcinogenic risk and thus should be of prioritized concern to promote the chemical safety of PBAT-based FCAs.

Gas6-Axl signal promotes indoor VOCs exposure-induced pulmonary fibrosis via pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells-fibroblasts cross-talk.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as environmental pollutants were associated with respiratory diseases. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) was characterized by an increase of extracellular matrix, leading to deterioration of lung function. The adverse effects on lung and the potential mechanism underlying VOCs induced PF had not been elucidated clearly. In this study, the indoor VOCs exposure mouse model along with an ex vivo biosensor assay was established. Based on scRNA-seq analysis, the adverse effects on lung and potential molecular mechanism were studied. Herein, the results showed that VOCs exposure from indoor decoration contributed to decreased lung function and facilitated pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Then, the whole lung cell atlas after VOCs exposure and the heterogeneity of fibroblasts were revealed. We explored the molecular interactions among various pulmonary cells, suggesting that endothelial cells contributed to fibroblasts activation in response to VOCs exposure. Mechanistically, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MPVECs) secreted Gas6 after VOCs-induced PANoptosis phenotype, bound to the Axl in fibroblasts, and then activated fibroblasts. Moreover, Atf3 as the key gene negatively regulated PANoptosis phenotype to ameliorate fibrosis induced by VOCs exposure. These novel findings provided a new perspective about MPVECs could serve as the initiating factor of PF induced by VOCs exposure.

Air-liquid interface exposure of A549 human lung cells to characterize the hazard potential of a gaseous bio-hybrid fuel blend.

Gaseous and semi-volatile organic compounds emitted by the transport sector contribute to air pollution and have adverse effects on human health. To reduce harmful effects to the environment as well as to humans, renewable and sustainable bio-hybrid fuels are explored and investigated in the cluster of excellence "The Fuel Science Center" at RWTH Aachen University. However, data on the effects of bio-hybrid fuels on human health is scarce, leaving a data gap regarding their hazard potential. To help close this data gap, this study investigates potential toxic effects of a Ketone-Ester-Alcohol-Alkane (KEAA) fuel blend on A549 human lung cells. Experiments were performed using a commercially available air-liquid interface exposure system which was optimized beforehand. Then, cells were exposed at the air-liquid interface to 50-2000 ppm C3.7 of gaseous KEAA for 1 h. After a 24 h recovery period in the incubator, cells treated with 500 ppm C3.7 KEAA showed significant lower metabolic activity and cells treated with 50, 250, 500 and 1000 ppm C3.7 KEAA showed significant higher cytotoxicity compared to controls. Our data support the international occupational exposure limits of the single KEAA constituents. This finding applies only to the exposure scenario tested in this study and is difficult to extrapolate to the complex in vivo situation.

Air pollution and skin diseases: A comprehensive evaluation of the associated mechanism.

Air pollutants deteriorate the survival environment and endanger human health around the world. A large number of studies have confirmed that air pollution jeopardizes multiple organs, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Skin is the largest organ and the first barrier that protects us from the outside world. Air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will affect the structure and function of the skin and bring about the development of inflammatory skin diseases (atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis), skin accessory diseases (acne, alopecia), auto-immune skin diseases (cutaneous lupus erythematosus(CLE) scleroderma), and even skin tumors (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC)). Oxidative stress, skin barrier damage, microbiome dysbiosis, and skin inflammation are the pathogenesis of air pollution stimulation. In this review, we summarize the current evidence on the effects of air pollution on skin diseases and possible mechanisms to provide strategies for future research.

The role of nanoparticles in bleed air in the etiology of Aerotoxic Syndrome: A review of cabin air-quality studies of 2003-2023.

Aerotoxic Syndrome may develop as a result of chronic, low-level exposure to organophosphates (OPs) and volatile organic compounds in the airplane cabin air, caused by engine oil leaking past wet seals. Additionally, acute high-level exposures, so-called "fume events," may occur. However, air quality monitoring studies concluded that levels of inhaled chemicals might be too low to cause adverse effects. The presence of aerosols of nanoparticles (NPs) in bleed air has often been described. The specific hypothesis is a relation between NPs acting as a vector for toxic compounds in the etiology of the Aerotoxic Syndrome. These NPs function as carriers for toxic engine oil compounds leaking into the cabin air. Inhaled by aircrew NPs carrying soluble and insoluble components deposit in the alveolar region, where they are absorbed into the bloodstream. Subsequently, they may cross the blood-brain barrier and release their toxic compounds in the central nervous system. Olfactory absorption is another route for NPs with access to the brain. To study the hypothesis, all published in-flight measurement studies (2003-2023) of airborne volatile (and low-volatile) organic pollutants in cabin air were reviewed, including NPs (10-100 nm). Twelve studies providing data for a total of 387 flights in 16 different large-passenger jet aircraft types were selected. Maximum particle number concentrations (PNC) varied from 104 to 2.8 × 106 #/cm3 and maximum mass concentrations from 9 to 29 µg/m3. NP-peaks occurred after full-power take-off, in tailwind condition, after auxiliary power unit (APU) bleed air introduction, and after air conditioning pack failure. Chemical characterization of the NPs showed aliphatic hydrocarbons, black carbon, and metallic core particles. An aerosol mass-spectrometry pattern was consistent with aircraft engine oil. It is concluded that chronic exposure of aircrew to NP-aerosols, carrying oil derivatives, maybe a significant feature in the etiology of Aerotoxic Syndrome. Mobile NP measuring equipment should be made available in the cockpit for long-term monitoring of bleed air. Consequently, risk assessment of bleed air should include monitoring and analysis of NPs, studied in a prospective cohort design.

Increased oxidative stress in shoe industry workers with low-level exposure to a mixture of volatile organic compounds.

This study aimed to assess the redox status and trace metal levels in 49 shoe industry workers (11 men and 38 women) occupationally exposed to a mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which includes aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters, ethers, and carboxylic acids. All measured VOCs were below the permitted occupational exposure limits. The control group included 50 unexposed participants (25 men and 25 women). The following plasma parameters were analysed: superoxide anion (O2 •-), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), total oxidative status (TOS), prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), oxidative stress index (OSI), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) enzyme activity, total SH group content (SHG), and total antioxidant status (TAS). Trace metal levels (copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, and manganese) were analysed in whole blood. All oxidative stress and antioxidative defence parameters were higher in the exposed workers than controls, except for PON1 activity. Higher Fe, Mg, and Zn, and lower Cu were observed in the exposed vs control men, while the exposed women had higher Fe and lower Mg, Zn, and Cu than their controls. Our findings confirm that combined exposure to a mixture of VOCs, even at permitted levels, may result in additive or synergistic adverse health effects and related disorders. This raises concern about current risk assessments, which mainly rely on the effects of individual chemicals, and calls for risk assessment approaches that can explain combined exposure to multiple chemicals.

Association between volatile organic compounds and serum neurofilament light chain in US adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the associations between exposure to blood volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the level of serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) in adults. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 2008 participants aged 20 to 75 years old. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the associations between 28 VOCs and NfL after adjusting for multiple potential confounders. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to examine the potential non-linear associations. RESULTS: The linear regression models showed that higher levels of 2,5-dimethylfuran (ß = 0.042, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.001, 0.096), ethyl acetate (ß = 0.118, 95 % CI = 0.008, 0.304), and m-/p-xylene (ß = 0.043, 95%CI = 0.012, 0.074) were associated with higher NfL levels. These estimates were largely consistent after adjusting for multiple confounders. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study suggest a potential association between certain volatile organic compounds (2,5-dimethylfuran, ethyl acetate, and m-/p-xylene) and blood NfL levels, implying that they may have a role in revealing neurodegeneration and influencing neurological health.

Single and mixed effects of multiple volatile organic compounds exposure on hematological parameters in the U.S. adult population.

BACKGROUND: Most research exploring the correlation between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hematological parameters have focused on single VOCs. Our study aimed to explore the single and combined effects of VOCs on hematological parameters through three statistical models. METHODS: Data from 4 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used in this study. The correlations between single exposure to 16 VOCs and hematological parameters in the general population were assessed by weighted multiple linear regression. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to explore the relationship between the combined important VOCs selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and hematological parameters, as well as the effects of smoking status on them. RESULTS: A total of 4089 adults were included in the study. We found that a variety of VOCs were significantly associated with hematological parameters. Among them, N-acetyl-S-(benzyl)-l-cysteine (BMA) was significantly negatively correlated with white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts. N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl-1-methyl)-l-cysteine (HPMMA) was significantly positively correlated with WBC, monocyte, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts. In the WQS analysis, the WQS index of the VOCs mixtures was positively correlated with WBC (ß: 0.031; P < 0.001), monocyte (0.023; P = 0.021), and neutrophil (0.040; P = 0.001) counts, while negatively associated with RBC (-0.013; P < 0.001) counts. The BKMR model revealed that combined exposure to VOCs levels ≥70th percentile was significantly associated with lower RBC counts, and BMA was identified as the dominant contributor. Smoking significantly influenced the relationship between VOCs and hematological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated the effects of single and overall VOCs exposure on hematological parameters and suggested the hematotoxicity as well as pro-inflammatory effects of VOCs, which had strong public health implications for reducing the potential health hazards of VOCs exposure to the hematologic system.

Screening and Evaluation of Children's Sensitively Toxic Chemicals in New Mosquito Repellent Products Based on a Nationwide Investigation.

New mosquito repellent products (NMRPs) are emerging popular repellents among children. There are increasing reports on children's sensitization reactions caused by NMRPs, while regulations on their productions, sales, or usage are still lacking. One of the reasons could be the missing comprehensive risk assessment. We first conducted a nationwide investigation on children's NMRP usage preferences. Then, we high-throughput screened volatile or semivolatile organic chemicals (VOCs/SVOCs) in five representative NMRPs by the headspace gas chromatography-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry analytical method. After that, toxic compounds were recognized based on the toxicity forecaster (ToxCast) database. A total of 277 VOCs/SVOCs were recognized, and 70 of them were identified as toxic compounds. In a combination of concentrations, toxicities, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics in the body, 28 chemicals were finally proposed as priority-controlled compounds in NMRPs. Exposure risks of recognized toxic chemicals through NMRPs by inhalation and dermal intake for children across the country were also assessed. Average daily intakes were in the range of 0.20-7.31 mg/kg/day for children in different provinces, and the children in southeastern coastal provinces were found to face higher exposure risks. By controlling the high-priority chemicals, the risks were expected to be reduced by about 46.8% on average. Results of this study are therefore believed to evaluate exposure risks, encourage safe production, and promote reasonable management of NMRPs.

Volatile organic compounds: A threat to the environment and health hazards to living organisms - A review.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are the organic compounds having a minimum vapor pressure of 0.13 kPa at standard temperature and pressure (293 K, 101 kPa). Being used as a solvent for organic and inorganic compounds, they have a wide range of applications. Most of the VOCs are non-biodegradable and very easily become component of the environment and deplete its purity. It also deteriorates the water quality index of the water bodies, impairs the physiology of living beings, enters the food chain by bio-magnification and degrades, decomposes and manipulates the physiology of living organisms. To unveil the adverse impacts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their rapid eruption and interference in the living world, a review has been designed. This review presents an insight into the currently available VOCs, their sources, applications, sampling methods, analytic procedures, imposition on the health of aquatic and terrestrial communities and their contamination of the environment. Elaboration has been done on representation of toxicological effects of VOCs on vertebrates, invertebrates, and birds. Subsequently, the role of environmental agencies in the protection of environment has also been illustrated.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds induces cardiovascular toxicity that may involve DNA methylation.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common air pollutants and water contaminants. We previously found maternal exposure to VOCs was associated with offspring congenital heart disease (CHD). However, little information is available about the effects of VOCs on cardiovascular development at embryonic stage and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of a mixture of six VOCs on cardiovascular development in zebrafish embryos. Embryos were exposed to different concentrations of VOCs mixture (32 mg/L, 64 mg/L and 128 mg/L) for 96 h, cardiovascular abnormalities including elongated heart shape, increased distance between sinus venosus and bulbus arteriosus, slowed circulation and altered heart rate were observed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, VOCs exposure increased global DNA methylation levels in embryos. Analysis identified hundreds of differentially methylated sites and the enrichment of differentially methylated sites on cardiovascular development. Two differentially methylated-associated genes involved in MAPK pathway, hgfa and ntrk1, were identified to be the potential genes mediating the effects of VOCs. By enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, altered human serum hgf and ntrk1 levels were detected in abnormal pregnancies exposed to higher VOCs levels with fetal CHD. For the first time, our study revealed exposure to VOCs induced severe cardiovascular abnormalities in zebrafish embryos. The toxicity might result from alterations in DNA methylation and corresponding expression levels of genes involved in MAPK pathway. Our study provides important information for the risk of VOCs exposure on embryonic cardiovascular development.

Ozone exposure induces metabolic stress and olfactory memory disturbance in honey bees.

Human activities, urbanization, and industrialization contribute to pollution that affects climate and air quality. A main atmospheric pollutant, the tropospheric ozone (O3), can damage living organisms by generating oxidative radicals, causing respiratory problems in humans and reducing yields and growth in plants. Exposure to high concentrations of O3 can result in oxidative stress in plants and animals, eventually leading to substantial ecological consequences. Plants produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted in the environment and detected by pollinators (mainly by their antennae), foraging for nutritious resources. Several pollinators, including honey bees, recognize and discriminate flowers through olfactory cues and memory. Exposure to different concentrations of O3 was shown to alter the emission of floral VOCs by plants as well as their lifetime in the atmosphere, potentially impacting plant-pollinator interactions. In this report, we assessed the impacts of exposure to field-realistic concentrations of O3 on honey bees' antennal response to floral VOCs, on their olfactory recall and discriminative capacity and on their antioxidant responses. Antennal activity is altered depending on VOCs structure and O3 concentrations. During the behavioral tests, we first check consistency between olfactory learning rates and memory scores after 15 min. Then bees exposed to 120 and 200 ppb of ozone do not exert specific recall responses with rewarded VOCs 90 min after learning, compared to controls whose specific recall responses were consistent between time points. We also report for the first time in honey bees how the superoxide dismutase enzyme, an antioxidant defense against oxidative stress, saw its enzymatic activity rate decreases after exposure to 80 ppb of ozone. This work tends to demonstrate how hurtful can be the impact of air pollutants upon pollinators themselves and how this type of pollution needs to be addressed in future studies aiming at characterizing plant-insect interactions more accurately.

Adult-Onset Transcriptomic Effects of Developmental Exposure to Benzene in Zebrafish (Danio rerio): Evaluating a Volatile Organic Compound of Concern.

Urban environments are afflicted by mixtures of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOC sources that drive human exposure include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and oil spillage. The highly volatile VOC benzene has been linked to adverse health outcomes. However, few studies have focused on the later-in-life effects of low-level benzene exposure during the susceptible window of early development. Transcriptomic responses during embryogenesis have potential long-term consequences at levels equal to or lower than 1 ppm, therefore justifying the analysis of adult zebrafish that were exposed during early development. Previously, we identified transcriptomic alteration following controlled VOC exposures to 0.1 or 1 ppm benzene during the first five days of embryogenesis using a zebrafish model. In this study, we evaluated the adult-onset transcriptomic responses to this low-level benzene embryogenesis exposure (n = 20/treatment). We identified key genes, including col1a2 and evi5b, that were differentially expressed in adult zebrafish in both concentrations. Some DEGs overlapped at the larval and adult stages, specifically nfkbiaa, mecr, and reep1. The observed transcriptomic results suggest dose- and sex-dependent changes, with the highest impact of benzene exposure to be on cancer outcomes, endocrine system disorders, reproductive success, neurodevelopment, neurological disease, and associated pathways. Due to molecular pathways being highly conserved between zebrafish and mammals, developmentally exposed adult zebrafish transcriptomics is an important endpoint for providing insight into the long term-effects of VOCs on human health and disease.

Non-target screening of volatile organic compounds in spray-type consumer products and their potential health risks.

Widespread use of spray-type consumer products can raise significant concerns regarding their effects on indoor air quality and human health. In this study, we conducted non-target screening using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze VOCs in 48 different spray-type consumer products. Using this approach, we tentatively identified a total of 254 VOCs from the spray-type products. Notably, more VOCs were detected in propellant-type products which are mostly solvent-based than in trigger-type ones which are mostly water-based. The VOCs identified encompass various chemical classes including alkanes, cycloalkanes, monoterpenoids, carboxylic acid derivatives, and carbonyl compounds, some of which arouse concerns due to their potential health effects. Alkanes and cycloalkanes are frequently detected in propellant-type products, whereas perfumed monoterpenoids are ubiquitous across all product categories. Among the identified VOCs, 12 compounds were classified into high-risk groups according to detection frequency and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, and their concentrations were confirmed using reference standards. Among the identified VOCs, D-limonene was the most frequently detected compound (freq. 21/48), with the highest concentration of 1.80 mg/g. The risk assessment was performed to evaluate the potential health risks associated with exposure to these VOCs. The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with the assessed VOC compounds were relatively low. However, it is important not to overlook the risk faced by occupational exposure to these VOCs, and the risk from simultaneous exposure to various VOCs contained in the products. This study serves as a valuable resource for the identification of unknown compounds in the consumer products, facilitating the evaluation of potential health risks to consumers.

Assessing volatile organic compounds exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in US adults.

Background: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals widely used in People's Daily life. There is increasing evidence of the cumulative toxicity of VOCs. However, the association between VOCs and the risk of COPD has not been reported. Objective: We comprehensively evaluated the association between VOCs and COPD. Methods: Our study included a total of 1,477 subjects from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including VOCs, COPD, and other variables in the average US population. Multiple regression models and smooth-curve fitting (penalty splines) were constructed to examine potential associations, and stratified analyses were used to identify high-risk groups. Results: We found a positive association between blood benzene and blood o-xylene concentrations and COPD risk and identified a concentration relationship between the two. That is, when the blood benzene and O-xylene concentrations reached 0.28 ng/mL and 0.08 ng/mL, respectively, the risk of COPD was the highest. In addition, we found that gender, age, and MET influence the relationship, especially in women, young people, and people with low MET. Significance: This study revealed that blood benzene and blood o-xylene were independently and positively correlated with COPD risk, suggesting that long-term exposure to benzene and O-xylene may cause pulmonary diseases, and providing a new standard of related blood VOCs concentration for the prevention of COPD.

Exposure to volatile organic compounds is a risk factor for diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

Currently, more studies showed that environmental chemicals were associated with the development of diabetes. However, the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on diabetes remained uncertain and needed to be studied. This cross-sectional study examined whether exposure to low levels of VOCs was associated with diabetes, insulin resistance (TyG index) and glucose-related indicators (FPG,HbA1c, insulin) in the general population by using the NHANES dataset (2013-2014 and 2015-2016). We analyzed the association between urinary VOC metabolism (mVOCs) and these indicators in 1409 adults by multiple linear regression models or logistic regression models, further Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were performed for mixture exposure analysis. The results showed positive associations between multiple mVOCs and diabetes, TyG index, FPG, HbA1c and insulin, respectively. Among them, HPMMA concentration in urine was significantly positively correlated with diabetes and related indicators (TyG index, FPG and HbA1c), and the concentration of CEMA was significantly positively correlated with insulin. The positive association of mVOCs with diabetes and its related indicators was more significant in the female group and in the 40-59 years group. Thus, our study suggested that exposure to VOCs affected insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis, further affecting diabetes levels, which had important public health implications.