The widespread usage of products containing volatile organic compounds (VOC) has lead to a general human exposure to these chemicals in work places or homes being suspected to contribute to the growing incidence of environmental diseases. Since the causal molecular mechanisms for the development of these disorders are not completely understood, the overall objective of this thesis was to investigate VOC-mediated molecular effects on human lung cells in vitro at VOC concentrations comparable to exposure scenarios below current occupational limits. Although differential expression of single proteins in response to VOCs has been reported, effects on complex protein networks (proteome) have not been investigated. However, this information is indispensable when trying to ascertain a mechanism for VOC action on the cellular level and establishing preventive strategies. For this study, the alveolar epithelial cell line A549 has been used. This cell line, cultured in a two-phase (air/liquid) model allows the most direct exposure and had been successfully applied for the analysis of inflammatory effects in response to VOCs. Mass spectrometric identification of 266 protein spots provided the first proteomic map of A549 cell line to this extent that may foster future work with this frequently used cellular model. The distribution of three typical air contaminants, monochlorobenzene (CB), styrene and 1,2 dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCB), between gas and liquid phase of the exposure model has been analyzed by gas chromatography. The obtained VOC partitioning was in agreement with available literature data. Subsequently the adapted in vitro system has been successfully employed to characterize the effects of the aromatic compound styrene on the proteome of A549 cells (Chapter 4). Initially, the cell toxicity has been assessed in order to ensure that most of the concentrations used in the following proteomic approach were not cytotoxic. Significant changes in abundance and phosphorylation in the total soluble protein fraction of A549 cells have been detected following styrene exposure. All proteins have been identified using mass spectrometry and the main cellular functions have been assigned. Validation experiments on protein and transcript level confirmed the results of the 2-DE experiments. From the results, two main cellular pathways have been identified that were induced by styrene: the cellular oxidative stress response combined with moderate pro-apoptotic signaling. Measurement of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the styrene-mediated induction of oxidative stress marker proteins confirmed the hypothesis of oxidative stress as the main molecular response mechanism. Finally, adducts of cellular proteins with the reactive styrene metabolite styrene 7,8 oxide (SO) have been identified. Especially the SO-adducts observed at both the reactive centers of thioredoxin reductase 1, which is a key element in the control of the cellular redox state, may be involved in styrene-induced ROS formation and apoptosis. A similar proteomic approach has been carried out with the halobenzenes CB and 1,2-DCB (Chapter 5). In accordance with previous findings, cell toxicity assessment showed enhanced toxicity compared to the one caused by styrene. Significant changes in abundance and phosphorylation of total soluble proteins of A549 cells have been detected following exposure to subtoxic concentrations of CB and 1,2-DCB. All proteins have been identified using mass spectrometry and the main cellular functions have been assigned. As for the styrene experiment, the results indicated two main pathways to be affected in the presence of chlorinated benzenes, cell death signaling and oxidative stress response. The strong induction of pro-apoptotic signaling has been confirmed for both treatments by detection of the cleavage of caspase 3. Likewise, the induction of redox-sensitive protein species could be correlated to an increased cellular level of ROS observed following CB treatment. Finally, common mechanisms in the cellular response to aromatic VOCs have been investigated (Chapter 6). A similar number (4.6-6.9%) of all quantified protein spots showed differential expression (p<0.05) following cell exposure to styrene, CB or 1,2-DCB. However, not more than three protein spots showed significant regulation in the same direction for all three volatile compounds: voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2, peroxiredoxin 1 and elongation factor 2. However, all of these proteins are important molecular targets in stress- and cell death-related signaling pathways. / Die vermehrte Verwendung von Produkten, welche flüchtige organische Substanzen (VOC - volatile organic compound) enthalten, hat eine generelle Exposition der Bevölkerung mit diesen Substanzen an Arbeitsplätzen aber auch in Wohnräumen bedingt. VOCs stehen im Verdacht, zur zunehmenden Inzidenz umweltbedingter Erkrankungen beizutragen. Da die molekularen Ursachen dieser Erkrankungen bisher noch unverstanden sind, war es ein übergeordnetes Ziel dieser Arbeit, VOC-vermittelte molekulare Effekte in menschlichen Lungenepithelzellen anhand eines in vitro Modells zu untersuchen. Dabei sollten vor allem Konzentrationen unterhalb der gültigen Arbeitsplatzgrenzwerte untersucht werden. Obwohl Effekte auf einzelne Proteine bekannt sind, wurden bisher keine Effekte der VOC-Exposition auf das komplexe Netzwerk der zellulären Proteine (Proteom) untersucht. Dieses Wissen ist essentiell, um induzierte zelluläre Mechanismen zu verstehen und Strategien zu deren Vermeidung zu entwickeln. Für die hier durchgeführten Untersuchungen wurde die Lungenepithelzelllinie A549 in einem Zweiphasenexpositionsmodell eingesetzt. Dieses ermöglichte eine möglichst direkte zelluläre Exposition und wurde bereits erfolgreich verwendet, um durch VOC hervorgerufene Entzündungseffekte zu identifizieren. Die massen-spektrometrische Identifikation von 266 Proteinflecken lieferte die erste umfassende Proteomkarte der A549 Zelllinie, welche nachfolgende Untersuchungen mit diesem häufig verwendeten Zelltyp erleichtern wird. Zusätzlich wurde die Verteilung der drei gängigen Luftkontaminanten Chlorbenzol (CB), Styrol and 1,2-Dichlorobenzol (1,2-DCB) zwischen den beiden Phasen (gas/flüssig) des Expositionsmodells gaschromatographisch bestimmt. Die Verteilung entsprach den verfügbaren Literaturdaten. Anschließend wurde das modifizierte Expositionsmodell erfolgreich eingesetzt, um styrol-vermittelte Effekte auf das Proteom der A549 Zellen zu charakterisieren (Kapitel 4). Zu Beginn erfolgte die Erfassung der Zelltoxizität der Substanz, um sicher zu stellen, daß der überwiegende Teil der späteren Expositionsexperimente mit subtoxischen Konzentrationen durchgeführt wird. Es konnte eine signifikant veränderte Expression und Phosphorylierung der löslichen Proteinfraktion der A549 Zellen als Reaktion auf die Styrolexposition festgestellt werden. Die regulierten Proteine wurden massenspektrometrisch identifiziert und ihre wichtigsten Funktionen wurden zugewiesen. Validierungsexperimente auf Protein- und auf Transkriptebene bestätigten die 2-DE Ergebnisse. Insgesamt konnte die zelluläre Reaktion durch die styrol-vermittelte Induktion zweier zentraler Mechanismen erklärt werden: oxidativer zellulärer Stress und beginnende Apoptose. Folgeexperimente wie die Messung der Menge der zellulären reaktiven Sauerstoffspezies (ROS) und die Induktion von redox-sensitiven Markerproteinen konnte die Hypothese eines styrol-induzierten oxidativen Milieus bestätigen. Schließlich wurden Proteinaddukte des reaktiven Styrolmetaboliten Styrol 7,8 epoxide (SO) identifiziert. Besonders die SO-Addukte, welche and den beiden aktiven Zentren der Thioredoxin Reduktase 1 gefunden wurden könnten eine wichtige Rolle bei der styrol-induzierten ROS-Bildung sowie der beginnenden Apoptose spielen. In Analogie zum Styrolexperiment wurden die Effekte der halogenierten Benzole CB und 1,2-DCB untersucht (Kapitel 5). Es konnten ebenfalls sämtliche Proteine identifiziert und die wichtigsten zellulären Funktionen zugewiesen werden. Diese Substanzen modulierten ebenfalls apoptotische Signalwege und die zelluläre Antwort auf oxidativen Streß. Der beobachtete starke pro-apoptotische Effekt konnte für beide Substanzen mit der Spaltung der Caspase 3 nachgewiesen werden. Weiterhin konnte für CB die Induktion redox-sensitiver Proteinspezies mit einem beobachteten höherem Gehalt an ROS erklärt werden. Schließlich wurden ähnliche Mechanismen der zellulären Antwort auf die Exposition mit den drei untersuchten aromatischen VOCs diskutiert (Kapitel 6). Alle getesteten VOCs verursachten eine vergleichbare differentielle Expression (p<0,05) von 4,6-6,9% aller quantifizierten Proteinspezies. Nur drei Proteinspots wurden dabei gemeinsam für alle VOCs reguliert: voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2, peroxiredoxin 1 and elongation factor 2. Allerdings gehören diese drei Proteine zu wichtigen zellulären Zielstrukturen der Signalwege für Stressantwort und Zelltod.

p-Dichlorobenzene (p-DCB) and naphthalene are compounds classified as Group C carcinogens according to the USEPA. Sources of p-DCB and naphthalene include moth repellents and deodorizers typically used in closets, garment bags, and toilet bowls found in pure form. In this study, laboratory, closet, and garment bag experiments were used to determine emission rates of p-DCB and naphthalene from consumer products (closet air freshener, toilet bowl deodorizer, and moth repellent). Emission rates varied considerably between products that contain p-DCB, primarily due to product packaging, and were generally suppressed when the product was used in a closed closet or garments bag, relative to products placed in well-ventilated chambers. Experimental mass emission rates were used in conjunction with a well-mixed reactor model to predict indoor p-DCB and naphthalene concentrations for a range of reasonable residential scenarios. Results suggest that exposures under worst-case scenarios could lead to excess lifetime cancer risks of greater than 20,000 in a million (2%) for those who use consumer products that are pure p-DCB, a risk that dwarfs any reported environmental cancer risks over large segments of the US population. Since such products are typically used where clothing is kept, significant chemical adsorption onto clothing is possible following sublimation from the solid product. Chamber experiments were used to determine the amount of p-DCB and naphthalene mass that adsorbs onto selected clothing materials made of cotton, polyester, or wool. Cloth specimens were kept inside a chamber through which an air stream containing p-DCB or naphthalene was passed for one month. After this time, p-DCB or naphthalene were chemically extracted from the cloth specimens. Polyester was determined to be the most adsorbent material, while cotton was the least adsorbent for each chemical. Equilibrium partition coefficients of 0.01 m³/g for p-DCB and 0.02 m³/g for naphthalene were determined experimentally for wool. Desorption rates were determined in both laboratory chambers and a closet in a test house. Results suggest prolonged persistence of p-DCB and naphthalene on polyester and wool, e.g., half-lives of 12 to 20 days after a moth repellent is removed from the clothes storage environment. An exposure scenario was also carried out to compare the inhalation and dermal exposure risks associated with contaminated clothing. / text