Abstract
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Background
Keywords
Findings
Authors
What is already known on this subject?
What does this study add?
Background
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m-, p-xylenesand o-xylene (BTEX) are a group of volatile organic compounds that originate from similar sources. Given the potentially negative health implications of BTEX exposure and their prevalence in residential indoor air, it is important to understand typical residential concentrations and identify predictors.
Data and methods
The 2009 to 2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey included an indoor air component. Questionnaires were administered, and respondents were asked to deploy an air sampler in their home for 7 consecutive days. This analysis is based on BTEX data from 5,191 respondents. Mean BTEX concentrations were examined overall, and by dwelling type and garage configuration. Stepwise regression models were used to examine potential sources of BTEX components.
Results
Means were 1.95 µg/m3 (benzene), 19.17 µg/m3 (toluene), 4.09 µg/m3 (ethylbenzene), 14.42 µg/m3 (m-, p-xylenes), and 4.16 µg/m3 (o-xylene). Significant predictors of the presence of BTEX included a garage on the property, regular smoking in the home, renovations in the past month, number of occupants, use of paint remover, and use of fragrance.
Interpretation
Results of this nationally representative study found that BTEX concentrations are relatively low among Canadian residences, and identified several different indoor sources.
Keywords
Benzene, indoor air quality, toluene, volatile organic compounds, xylenes
Findings
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-, p-xylenes and o-xylene (BTEX) are a group of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Indoor sources include paints, cigarette smoke and building materials. As well, vehicle combustion gases and evaporative emissions can migrate from attached garages. These VOCs are ubiquitous in residential settings, with exposures 2 to 100 times higher indoors than outside. [Full Text]
Authors
Amanda J. Wheeler (amanda.wheeler@hc-sc.gc.ca) and Cheryl Khoury (1-613-941-3710; Cheryl.Khoury@hc-sc.gc.ca) are with the Water, Air and Climate Change Bureau at Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Suzy L. Wong is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Jiping Zhu is with the Exposure and Biomonitoring Division at Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
What is already known on this subject?
- Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-, p- xylenes and o-xylene (BTEX) are ubiquitous in residential settings.
- Some indoor BTEX sources have been identified in the literature, but representative data for homes in Canada are limited.
- Chronic exposure to low BTEX concentrations may have health consequences.
What does this study add?
- According to the 2009 to 2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey, the indoor air in Canadian homes has relatively low BTEX concentrations.
- A comparison with the results of a 1991 population-based study of Canadian residences suggests a decline in exposure to indoor BTEX components over time.
- Significant predictors of BTEX included a garage on the property, regular smoking in the home, renovations in the past month, number of occupants, use of paint remover, and use of fragrance.
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