Associations of personal urinary volatile organic compounds and lung function in children

Abstract

Background

We investigated the correlation between urine VOC metabolites and airway function in children exposed to anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), notable pollutants impacting respiratory health.

Methods

Out of 157 respondents, 141 completed skin prick tests, spirometry, IOS, and provided urine samples following the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)-related questions. Allergic sensitization was assessed through skin prick tests, and airway functions were evaluated using spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS). Forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) was recorded and FEV1/FVC ratio was calculated. Airway mechanics parameters including respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (Rrs5) mean respiratory resistance between 5 Hz and 20 Hz (Rrs5–20), were also recorded. Urine concentrations of metabolites of benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene, styrene, formaldehyde, carbon-disulfide were analyzed by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectroscopy.

Results

The median age at study participation was 7.1 (SD 0.3) years. Muconic acid (benzene metabolites) and o-methyl-hippuric acid (xylene metabolites) above medians were associated with a significant increase in Rrs5 (muconic acid: aβ = 0.150, p = .002; o-methyl-hippuric acid: aβ = 0.143, p = .023) and a decrease in FEV1/FVC (o-methyl-hippuric acid: aβ = 0.054, p = .028) compared to those below median. No associations were observed for Rrs5–20 and FEV1 between the groups categorized as above and below the median (all parameter p values > .05).

Conclusions

Elevated levels of benzene and xylene metabolites were associated with a significant increase in Rrs5 and a decrease in FEV1/FVC, related to increased resistance and restrictive lung conditions compared to individuals with concentrations below the median.

Keywords:

• Lung function tests
• oscillometry
• volatile organic compounds
• urinary metabolite

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Data availability statement

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Seongnam Atopy Project (SAP2017). Grant funding was provided by the Seongnam City Government, Korea.