RESUMO
The objective of this study was to assess the effects, if any, of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on certain hematological and immunological parameters of 153 female study participants. The major source of VOCs was vehicle emissions. The participants were selected from three areas, each area at a different distance from a freeway. Results indicated that total concentrations of VOCs and a subgroup of 25 VOCs (VOC25) ranged from 250 to 335 ppb and 89 to 113 ppb, respectively. The distribution of VOC concentrations did not correlate with distance from the freeway. The participants living in the area with higher VOC concentrations had significantly higher abnormalities of white blood cells (WBC) and hemoglobin (Hb). In addition, IgG and IgA counts were significantly lower for the participants in the area with higher VOCs than for participants in the area with lower VOCs. This finding indicates that VOCs in ambient air may suppress immunological variables.
Assuntos
Poluentes Atmosféricos/análise , Exposição Ambiental , Hemoglobinas/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunoglobulina A/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunoglobulina G/efeitos dos fármacos , Leucócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Compostos Orgânicos/toxicidade , Adulto , Contagem de Eritrócitos , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoglobulina E/efeitos dos fármacos , Contagem de Leucócitos , Linfócitos/efeitos dos fármacos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neutrófilos/efeitos dos fármacos , Contagem de Plaquetas , Taiwan , Emissões de Veículos/análise , VolatilizaçãoRESUMO
Automobile emissions have created a major hydrocarbon pollution problem in the ambient air of Taiwan. The aim of this study was to determine the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The spatial distribution, temporal variation, and correlations of VOCs at three study sites, selected based on traffic densities and distances from a freeway, were discussed. Sixty-four hydrocarbons were identified in the ambient air. Among all of the VOC species, acetone, aromatic and aliphatic compounds constituted the major constituents. Higher concentrations of VOCs existed further away from major arteries as compared to those found near the freeway. Therefore, the distance from the freeway may not be a sufficient index for reflecting actual air quality in the study area. Weather conditions, wind speed and direction did not affect the distribution of VOC concentrations in the three study sites. Other factors, such as the height and density of buildings, traffic conditions or commercial activities, might affect the distribution of VOCs.
