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4687 
Journal Article 
Respiratory and irritant health effects of ambient volatile organic compounds: the Kanawha County health study 
Ware, JH; Spengler, JD; Neas, LM; Samet, JM; Wagner, GR; Coultas, D; Ozkaynak, H; Schwab, M 
1993 
Yes 
American Journal of Epidemiology
ISSN: 0002-9262
EISSN: 1476-6256 
NIOSH/00217887 
137 
12 
1287-1301 
English 
8333411 
WOS:A1993LP66000001 
The incidence of respiratory and irritant symptoms in Kanawha County, West Virginia school children was determined, and the associations between symptom rates and measures of chemical air pollution exposure were investigated. The urban areas of Kanawha County were arrayed as a series of small towns on alternating sides of a river. The major chemical manufacturing industries were located on the valley floor in close proximity to the residential areas. Temperature inversion conditions have occurred there during about two thirds of the total hours throughout the year. There were 75 elementary schools which were typically small, most children attending a neighborhood location for schooling. Environmental sampling was conducted at each elementary school. The volatile organic compound measurements collected showed that there were many organic compounds at concentrations not typically found in outdoor air, including unusually high concentrations of chloroform (67663), carbon-tetrachloride (56235) and mesityl-oxide (141797). Incidence rates for respiratory symptoms were higher for schools located within the valley and included physician's diagnoses of asthma, wheeze related symptoms, and the composite variables that include the symptoms characteristic of reactive airway disease. The authors conclude that the exposure to a mixture of volatile organic compounds, some of which were emitted from chemical manufacturing facilities, has adversely affected the health of some of the children living in the Kanawha Valley. 
DCN-218685; Chemical manufacturing industry; Environmental pollution; Respiratory system disorders; Epidemiology; Lung function; Toxic gases; Pulmonary function tests; Lung irritants; Organic vapors