Degree Name
MPH (Master of Public Health)
Program
Public Health
Date of Award
8-2005
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Tiejian Wu
Committee Members
Mary Beth Hogan, Joanne Walker Flowers
Abstract
Data of 1338 respondents from the Priority Toxicant Reference Range Study were analyzed to examine exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Self-reported contact to chemical products and blood concentrations of specific chemicals were analyzed. Neurobehavioral function was assessed by simple reaction time test (SRTT), symbol digit substitution test (SDST), and serial digit learning test (SDLT). Prevalence of exposure to VOC products was, for instance, air freshener/room deodorant - 34.7%, gasoline - 29.2%, finger nail polish - 16.2%, and diesel fuel/ kerosene - 10.6%. The 95th percentiles of blood VOCs (μg/L) were calculated for 41 chemicals including Benzene - 0.476, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane - 0.799, o-Xylene - 0.271, and Styrene - 0.177. Significant correlation coefficients included 0.216* with SRTT and 0.130* with SDST for 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, 0.097* with SDST for 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 0.098* with SDLT for Chloroform, and 0.115* with SDLT for Dibromochloromethane (* p<0.05) suggesting possible neurobehavioral effects. Study results provided pilot data of exposure status and reference ranges of VOCs for the US population.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Bhanegaonkar, Abhijeet Jagannath, "Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds and Effect on Neurobehavioral Function." (2005). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1053. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1053
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.