Symptoms of Mothers and Infants Related to Total Volatile Organic Compounds in Household Products

• Published in: Archives of environmental health Vol. 58; no. 10; pp. 633 - 641
• Main Authors: Farrow, Alexandra, Taylor, Hazel, Northstone, Kate, Golding, Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Heldref 01.10.2003
• Subjects: Aerosols; Air Pollution, Indoor - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Depression - chemically induced; Diarrhea, Infantile - chemically induced; Domestic and cosmetic products toxicology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Earache - chemically induced; environmental exposure; Female; Headache - chemically induced; Household Products - adverse effects; Humans; indoor air; Infant; infants; Longitudinal Studies; Medical sciences; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxicology; volatile organic compounds; Volatilization; Vomiting - chemically induced; United Kingdom; Europe; British Isles, England, Avon; Human; Cosmetic; Symptomatology; Mother; Toxicity; Domestic product; Indoor pollution; Infant; Volatile organic compound; Housing; Epidemiology; Public health
• ISSN: 0003-9896; 2331-4303
• DOI: 10.3200/AEOH.58.10.633-641

The authors sought to determine whether reported symptoms of mothers and infants were associated significantly with the use of household products that raised indoor levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC s ). Data collected from 170 homes within the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC: a large birth cohort of more than 10,000) had determined which household products were associated with the highest levels of TVOC s . The latter data were collected over a period that approximated 6 mo of pregnancy and the infants' first 6 mo of life. This paper presents (a) the mothers' self-reports of the use of these products in their homes and (b) self-reported medical symptoms of mothers and infants postnatally. Higher TVOC levels were associated with air freshener and aerosol use. Infant diarrhea and earache were statistically significantly associated with air freshener use, and diarrhea and vomiting were significantly associated with aerosol use. Headache experienced by mothers 8 mo after birth was significantly associated with the use of air fresheners and aerosols; maternal depression was significantly associated with the use of air fresheners. The results of the study suggest a link between the use of products that raise indoor levels of TVOC s and an increased risk of certain symptoms among infants and their mothers.