Blood Concentrations of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds and Neurobehavioral Performance in a Population-Based Sample
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2006
Description
The authors analyzed data from a national sample to examine the relationships between blood concentrations of selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and the assessment scores of neurobehavioral evaluation tests. They calculated summary statistics to describe blood concentrations of 30 VOCs. For instance, the 95th percentiles were as follows: 1, 1, 1-trichloroethane, 0.799 μg/l; 1, 4-dichlorobenzene, 11.081 μg/l; benzene, 0.476 μg/l; and toluene, 0.281 μg/l. For 1, 4-dichlorobenzene, benzene, dibromochloromethane, and trichloroethene, a blood level higher than the 95th percentile was associated with a poorer neurobehavioral assessment score than was a blood level up to the 95th percentile. The authors found a linear relationship between blood toluene concentration and the Serial Digit Learning Test score. The findings suggest that exposure to certain VOCs may result in poor neurobehavioral performance. The study was exploratory and precludes a conclusive statement, so further investigation is warranted.
Citation Information
Wu, Tiejian; Bhanegaonkar, Abhijeet J.; and Flowers, Joanne W.. 2006. Blood Concentrations of Selected Volatile Organic Compounds and Neurobehavioral Performance in a Population-Based Sample. Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health. Vol.61(1). 17-25. https://doi.org/10.3200/AEOH.61.1.17-25 PMID: 17503617 ISSN: 1933-8244