Volatile Organic Compound Exposure of Suburban Elementary Students in Taiwan

摘要

Occupational studies indicate that exposure to high-level benzene can result in a leukemogenic effect (International Agency for Research on Cancer [IARC], 1982; IARC, 1987). In fact, the health effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include immune effects (e.g., asthma and allergy), cellular effects (e.g., cancer), cardiovascular effects, neurogenic and sensory effects, and some respiratory effects other than immunologic effects (Molhave, 2003). Besides industries and occupational sources, VOCscan be released from various sources including vehicles, environmental tobacco smokes, personal laser printers, and the like (Hsu et al, 2005; Molhave, 2003). Versatile sources of VOCs probably lead to the larger uncertainties when personal exposure isestimated on the basis of source intensity. Thus, personal sampling and biomarker measurements are used for accurate determination of personal exposure to toxic substances.