Examination of skin damage after chronic exposure to gaseous volatile organic compounds in relation to contact dermatitis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22770
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 58:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: Ito Yuki 名古屋市立大学, 医薬学総合研究院(医学), 准教授 (80452192)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 2-エチルヘキサノール

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Non-regulated compound 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2EH) of which indoor concentrations are sometimes relatively high has been reported to be associated with sick building syndrome (SBS). A few SBS patients complain of skin symptoms as well as nasal, ocular, and throat symptoms. We examined whether or not 2EH chronic exposure causes skin damage. Inhalation exposure to 2EH increased erythematous area, hair loss, dermal sclerosis, and epidermal thickness in the dorsal area after 21-week exposure to 2EH, however, these changes are independent of dermal changes.

Free Research Field

衛生学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

建築資材等から放出される揮発性有機化合物によるシックビル（シックハウス）症候群（SBS）は未だ重要な健康課題である。中でも2-エチル-1-ヘキサノール（2EH）は、長期的に比較的高濃度で室内空気中に検出される事例が日本中で多数報告されている物質である。研究が十分とは言えないため、室内の2EH濃度については室内濃度指針値が定まっていない。本研究は指針値作成の一助となると考える。