RESUMEN
UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to measure and evaluate the impact of the emissions of selected products of exotic wood on health. Ten products were screened for chemical compounds, and five of the most used products which emitted more than 800 microg/kg were selected for further quantitative analyses by climate chamber measurement (iroko, ramin, sheesham, merbau, and rubber tree). Samples of exotic wood (rubber tree and belalu) were further analyzed for emission of chemical compounds by migration into artificial saliva and for content of pesticides and allergenic natural rubber latex (NR latex) (rubber tree). The toxicological effects of all substances identified were evaluated and the lowest concentrations of interest (LCI) assessed. An R-value was calculated for each wood product (R-value below 1 is considered to be unproblematic as regards health). Emission from the evaluated exotic wood only took place to a very limited extent. None of the selected products, under the chosen rating system, is likely to cause adverse health effects. Products with surface treatment might pose a problem if used as kitchen utensils, as children's toys, or when they are in close contact with the skin for a long time. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The authors investigated the chemical emissions from selected products from exotic wood by climate chamber measurement. Quantitative chemical analyses of emissions from the five most used exotic products in Denmark were performed, and all chemical compounds found were evaluated toxicologically. Emission from the evaluated exotic wood was very limited. None of the products is likely, under our exposure conditions, to cause health problems in relation to indoor air.
Asunto(s)
Residuos de Plaguicidas/análisis , Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles/toxicidad , Madera/química , Contaminación del Aire Interior/análisis , Humanos , Saliva Artificial/química , Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles/análisisRESUMEN
The present paper shows that introducing or removing the same pollution source in an office in two independent investigations, one in Denmark and one in Sweden, using similar experimental methodology, resulted in similar and repeatable effects on subjective assessments of perceived air quality, intensity of sick building syndrome symptoms and performance of office work. Removing the pollution source improved the perceived air quality, decreased the perceived dryness of air and the severity of headaches, and increased typing performance. These effects were observed separately in each experiment and were all significant (P < or = 0.05) after combining the data from both studies, indicating the advantages of pollution source strength control for health, comfort, and productivity.