A Review of Volatile Organic Compound Contamination in Post-Industrial Urban Centers: Reproductive Health Implications Using a Detroit Lens

Carol J. Miller, Melissa Runge-Morris, Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow, Jennifer K. Straughen, Timothy M. Dittrich, Tracie R. Baker, Michael C. Petriello, Gil Mor, Douglas M. Ruden, Brendan F. O’Leary, Sadaf Teimoori, Chandra M. Tummala, Samantha Heldman, Manisha Agarwal, Katherine Roth, Zhao Yang and Bridget B. Baker
Additional contact information
Carol J. Miller: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Melissa Runge-Morris: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Andrea E. Cassidy-Bushrow: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Jennifer K. Straughen: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Timothy M. Dittrich: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Tracie R. Baker: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Michael C. Petriello: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Gil Mor: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Douglas M. Ruden: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Brendan F. O’Leary: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Sadaf Teimoori: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering—College of Engineering, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Chandra M. Tummala: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering—College of Engineering, Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Samantha Heldman: Department of Pharmacology—School of Medicine, Wayne State University, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Manisha Agarwal: Institute of Environmental Health Sciences—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Katherine Roth: Institute of Environmental Health Sciences—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Zhao Yang: Institute of Environmental Health Sciences—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
Bridget B. Baker: Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)—Integrative Biosciences Center, Wayne State University, 6135 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-21

Abstract: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of aromatic or chlorinated organic chemicals commonly found in manufactured products that have high vapor pressure, and thus vaporize readily at room temperature. While airshed VOCs are well studied and have provided insights into public health issues, we suggest that belowground VOCs and the related vapor intrusion process could be equally or even more relevant to public health. The persistence, movement, remediation, and human health implications of subsurface VOCs in urban landscapes remain relatively understudied despite evidence of widespread contamination. This review explores the state of the science of subsurface movement and remediation of VOCs through groundwater and soils, the linkages between these poorly understood contaminant exposure pathways and health outcomes based on research in various animal models, and describes the role of these contaminants in human health, focusing on birth outcomes, notably low birth weight and preterm birth. Finally, this review provides recommendations for future research to address knowledge gaps that are essential for not only tackling health disparities and environmental injustice in post-industrial cities, but also protecting and preserving critical freshwater resources.

Keywords: volatile organic compounds; vapor intrusion; adverse birth outcomes; health disparities; remediation; urban (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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