Utility of Controlled Human Exposure Studies for Assessing the Health Effects of Complex Mixtures and Indoor Air Pollutants

摘要

The study of health effects induced by exposure to mixtures of pollutants is a complex task. The purpose of this paper is to identify areas of research in which the conduct of chamber studies may contribute to better understanding of the health effects of exposure to indoor air and other mixtures. The strengths and weaknesses of clinical studies in general are reviewed as well as examples from the literature of approaches which have been utilized. It is concluded that chamber studies play an important role alongside epidemiologic and animal toxicologic studies in such research. The chamber studies are powerful in assessing acute, reversible effects from short duration exposures in the species of interest.