Re: IEQuality & Sickbuildings: MVOCs

[Guest guest]

,

Once you get into the realm of MVOCs, you are describing an exposure to a variety of chemicals, usually at low levels. The mixtures vary with the type of organism and the substrate it is metabolizing. All of the low-level chemical exposure issues apply. Certainly nausea is a health effect. I did one sewer gas odor investigation where a worker vomited at her desk from the smell. The nuisance issues and psychological associational issues (as Lee alluded to) may not be health issues, per se, but are certainly IEQ issues. The potential for chemical sensitization and neuro effects from chronic low-level exposures to MVOCs, like any other VOCs, would be present.

There are lots and lots of chemical species identified as MVOCs. Very little information exists about the health effects of exposure to individual compounds or mixtures. I have seen some lists of analytical "target MVOC analytes" in package lab analytical scans. In a brief search, I just came across a list of links to articles on the analytical side (not so much on health effects) of the MVOC issue. I hope they work.

Steve Temes

Related References:

, J., Casteel, C., Chen, K. and Tuday, M., (2002), Sampling and analysis of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs)

, J., Casteel, C., Tuday, and M., Valley, (0), Validation of a method for the sampling and analysis of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs)

Filer, K., Schutz, E. and Geh, S., (2001), Detection of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) produced by moulds on various materials

Fischer, G., Müller, T., Schwalbe, R., Ostrowski, R. and Dott, W., (2000), Exposure to airborne fungi, MVOC and mycotoxins in biowaste-handling facilities

Fischer, G., Schwalbe, R., Moller, M., Ostrowski, R. and Dott, W., (1999), Species-specific production of microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) by airborne fungi from a compost facility

Horner, W., A. Worthan, B. Epstien, and M. Black, (1999), MVOC emission patterns of indoor fungi: strain and culture differences

Keller, R. , Senkpiel, K. , Ohgke, H., (2001), Use of MVOC measurements and odour perception as indicator of mould in indoor areas

Komulainen, J., Lu, X., Hakkarainen, H., Weckström, A., Viljanen, M. and S. Liukkonen, (2003), Diffusion of some MVOCs through building moisture barriers

Korpi, A., Kasanen, J.-P, Alarie, Y., Kosma, V. and Pasanen, A-L, (1999), Sensory irritating potency of some microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) and a mixture of five MVOCs

Kreja, L. and Seidel, H., (2002), Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of some microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) with the comet assay, the micronucleus assay and the HPRT gene mutation assay

Tilkes, F., Dott, W., Fischer, G., Grun, L., Harpel, S., Keller, R., Martens, W., Palmgren, U. and Seidel, H. J., (1999), Microbial air pollutants - methods for the detection and identification of endotoxins, mycotoxins and MVOC

Wady, L., Bunte, A., Pehrson, C. and Larsson, L., (2003), Use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/solid phase microextraction for the identification of MVOCs from moldy building materials

Wilkins, F., Nielsen, F. and Larsen, K., (1999), MVOC analysis for detection of microbial growth in buildings I. Variation of MVOC and mycotoxin patterns in aspergillus versicolor

I would also consider butyric acid, a metabolic waste product from bacteria, to be an MVOC. Exposure to ceiling tiles that have had a residual level of this chemical evaporate from the surface, due to high ambient humidity levels, can cause some people to get naseous.

Does this count as a health effect?

Sincerely,

W. Bearg, PE, CIH

Concord, MA

[Guest guest]

Dear Colleagues:

I would also consider butyric acid, a metabolic waste product from bacteria, to

be an MVOC. Exposure to ceiling tiles that have had a residual level of this

chemical evaporate from the surface, due to high ambient humidity levels, can

cause some people to get naseous.

Does this count as a health effect?

Sincerely,

W. Bearg, PE, CIH

Concord, MA

--

-------------- Original message ----------------------

From: AirwaysEnv@...

> In a message dated 3/6/2006 4:56:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, snk1955@...

> writes:

> > I know a bit about ill health symptoms from mold. I know a bit about ill

> > health symptoms from mycotoxins. I am just now starting to comprehend some

of

> > the mVOC's.

> >

> Sharon,

>

> Let me know when you know a bit about the individual hypersensitivity and

> immunologic reactions to each of the above. Then you will be on the right

track

> to helping the people who need the most help.

>

> And please read Steve Chalmers' post a few more times. I tried to tell you

> the same thing but couldn't get through.

>

> Steve Temes

I know a bit about ill health symptoms from mold. I know a bit about ill health symptoms from mycotoxins. I am just now starting to comprehend some of the mVOC's.

Sharon,

Let me know when you know a bit about the individual hypersensitivity and immunologic reactions to each of the above. Then you will be on the right track to helping the people who need the most help.

And please read Steve Chalmers' post a few more times. I tried to tell you the same thing but couldn't get through.

Steve Temes