Re: Symptoms of ill health from mVOC's (formerly whatever it was)

March 6, 2006

Stacey,

This EHP study looked at the effect of 3-methylfuran (an odorous MVOC)on

some physiological factors. The concentration of 3-MF used was 1 mg/m3,

supposedly just below the odor threshold (so people would not detect it).

The authors never state directly what the concentrations of 3-MF are in

buildings but they do mention that experimental studies use concentrations

of VOC that are 10 to 1000 times grater than actual concentrations.

I suspect that this study is at the 1000x end of the experimental spectrum.

(I could not find the Smedje paper that has actual measurements of 3-MF

indoors so if anyone knows what it is, please post.)

The authors noted that there were effects on the blinking rate and forced

vital capacity but that even at this impossibly-high concentration, " no

subjective ratings were significantly increased during exposure... "

I suspect that exposure to 3-MF at actual indoor concentrations would have

minimal or no significangt health effects. At the elevated concentration

used in the experiment, many VOCs have an impact on health, particularly

those with chemical sensitivities.

C. May

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

1522 Cambridge Street

Cambridge, MA 02139

Stacey Champion writes:

> Here is a study available on EHP which may answer some of your questions.

>

>

> Best Regards,

>

> Stacey Champion

>

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