JOHNSON CITY - They are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are
contained in a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential
products, including gasoline, fuel oils, paints, inks, pesticides,
refrigerants, solvents, cleaners, and degreasers. Exposure to VOCs
occurs commonly in everyday life.

But what long-term effects does such exposure have on a person's health?

It's a question that researchers in East Tennessee State University's
College of Public Health and James H. Quillen College of Medicine are
asking in a new study looking specifically at the way VOCs alter liver
function. The $71,000 one-year project is funded by the National
Institutes of Health.

"At large doses, these compounds can be very toxic," said Dr. Tiejian
Wu, an associate professor of public health and family medicine at ETSU.
"In previous research involving both animal models as well as
occupational workers, there was evidence that liver damage had occurred
following VOC exposure. Instead, our study focuses on the general
population at large and the potential health effects associated with
varying exposure levels."

Wu and research co-investigator Dr. Wanzer Drane, associate professor of
public health, will use data gathered from the Third National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), which collected detailed
information on personal VOC exposure.