Abstract:
Emissions from oil-based paint are an important air pollution source of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs). Understanding the potential health risk for general populations who
are chronically exposed to environmental levels of solvent derived VOCs is most readily
investigated by examining health outcomes in high exposure population. Bridge painters are
individuals with high exposure to common air pollutants that come from solvents including
aromatic, esters, ketone and alkane compounds.
Chronic exposure to solvent derived VOCs have been associated with adverse neurobehavioral
outcomes (Baker 1994). However, a dose-response relationship has not been well established
(Lees-Haley and Williams 1997). The dose-response relationship between exposure to air pollutants and health outcomes can be modified by an individual’s unique genetic make-up. Individuals with different genetic variants
could have different risks to neurobehavioral decrements from breathing the same levels of air
pollutants. Polymorphism in genes involved in the metabolism of organic solvents has been
associated with increased susceptibility to develop neuropsychological impairments (Wormhoudt
et al. 1999). Genetic modification of the air pollutant exposure (dose)-neurobehavioral
response relationship has not been examined. Therefore, a more systematic study is needed.
Research goal:
The primary goal of this dissertation research is to identify whether the
association between chronic exposure to common VOC air pollutants emitted from solvents and
susceptibility to neurobehavioral impairments is altered by genetic polymorphisms.
Emissions from oil-based paint are an important air pollution source of volatile
organic compounds (VOCs). Understanding the potential health risk for general populations who
are chronically exposed to environmental levels of solvent derived VOCs is most readily
investigated by examining health outcomes in high exposure population. Bridge painters are
individuals with high exposure to common air pollutants that come from solvents including
aromatic, esters, ketone and alkane compounds.
Chronic exposure to solvent derived VOCs have been associated with adverse neurobehavioral
outcomes (Baker 1994). However, a dose-response relationship has not been well established
(Lees-Haley and Williams 1997). The dose-response relationship between exposure to air pollutants and health outcomes can be modified by an individual’s unique genetic make-up. Individuals with different genetic variants
could have different risks to neurobehavioral decrements from breathing the same levels of air
pollutants. Polymorphism in genes involved in the metabolism of organic solvents has been
associated with increased susceptibility to develop neuropsychological impairments (Wormhoudt
et al. 1999). Genetic modification of the air pollutant exposure (dose)-neurobehavioral
response relationship has not been examined. Therefore, a more systematic study is needed.
Research goal:
The primary goal of this dissertation research is to identify whether the
association between chronic exposure to common VOC air pollutants emitted from solvents and
susceptibility to neurobehavioral impairments is altered by genetic polymorphisms.