Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 8, 2026
14:39
Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Evaporative gasoline emissions and asthma symptoms
Mary Ellen Gordian1, Alistair W Stewart, Stephen S Morris
1Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. anmeg1@uaa.alaska.edu
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 16, 2010
Summary
Attached garages can expose residents to harmful benzene from gasoline emissions. Higher indoor benzene levels, linked to stored gasoline, correlate with increased asthma symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Toxicology
Background:
- Attached garages are a known source of indoor air volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Gasoline, particularly Alaskan gasoline with 5% benzene, is a significant source of VOCs, with benzene serving as a marker for exposure.
- Exposure to benzene can pose health risks, with levels above the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) minimal risk level being a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate indoor exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from presumed evaporative gasoline emissions in homes with attached garages.
- To assess the association between indoor benzene levels and respiratory health outcomes, specifically asthma symptoms.
- To identify factors contributing to elevated indoor benzene concentrations.
Main Methods:
- A survey of 509 randomly chosen houses with attached garages in Anchorage, Alaska.
- Householders completed health and household surveys.
- Indoor air monitoring for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) for one week using passive organic vapor monitoring badges in primary living spaces.
Main Results:
- Benzene levels in homes ranged from undetectable to 58 parts per billion (ppb), with a median of 2.96 ppb.
- Elevated indoor benzene levels were strongly associated with the presence of small engines and stored gasoline in the garage.
- Residents in homes with high gasoline exposure (benzene levels > 9 ppb) reported more severe asthma symptoms (16% of cases).
Conclusions:
- High concentrations of benzene in gasoline contribute to increased indoor air benzene levels in residences with attached garages.
- Exposure to benzene at levels exceeding ATSDR's minimal risk level is occurring in homes with attached garages.
- There is a significant association between high gasoline exposure in homes and increased severity of asthma symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Asthma, a common chronic respiratory condition, is classified considering the frequency and severity of symptoms alongside lung function impairment. Understanding this classification is essential for appropriate treatment and management. Here's a detailed look at the classification of asthma and its clinical features and complications:
Classification of Asthma
Classification of Asthma
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
01:28Asthma I: Introduction
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
01:13Asthma III: Clinical Manifestations
Asthma presents with a characteristic pattern of episodic respiratory symptoms that reflect underlying airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. Although severity varies among individuals, certain clinical manifestations are considered hallmarks of the disorder and often guide diagnosis and assessment.Respiratory SymptomsA persistent cough is one of the most common early features of asthma. It is frequently dry and tends to worsen at night or in the early morning,...
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
The diagnosis and management of asthma are comprehensive, encompassing clinical assessments, lung function tests, and pharmacological interventions. Here's an overview:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes:
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes: