| Of the top 50 most produced chemicals in the United States, 1,3 -- Butadiene is the 36th ranked largest commodity chemical that is produced in the United States (Butadiene, 2008). Statistics show that The United States produces about three billion pounds of butadiene every year, where approximately 12 billion pounds of this chemical is produced globally (Butadiene. 2008).;In 2004, industries located in the Milby Park community of Houston, Texas alone, produced one of the highest annual averages detected for the year, in which a concentration of 4 ppbv of 1,3 - Butadiene was detected (Cements et al., 2006). Previous studies suggest that many drugs and environmental agents of this concentration can cause DNA damage (Shuga, 2007).;The purpose of this research study is to investigate the adverse human health effects 1,3 - Butadiene may have on potentially exposed residents living in the Milby Park community of Houston, Texas between the years 2001-2006. The approach of this project was 1) to assemble and assess all available existing data disclosing potential levels of 1,3 - Butadiene in the ambient air of the Milby park community, and 2) to use an in vitro A549 human lung cell culture system to assess potential adverse human health effects. A549 human lung cells were exposed to similar levels of 1,3 -- Butadiene experienced by individuals living in the Milby Park Community between the years 2001-2006 over a 24 hour period. After 24 hours of exposure, cells were carefully analyzed for cell viability and any signs of induced apoptosis or cell cycle interruption to determine the occurrences of DNA damage.;The results of this study showed that high acute doses of 1,3 -- Butadiene compared to lower chronic doses of 1,3 -- Butadiene decreases cellular viability while inducing DNA fragmentation, increased apoptosis and cell cycle interruption. Consequently, Milby Park residents may be at higher risk due to 1,3 -- Butadiene exposure levels between the years 2001-2006.;This research supports the development of strategies to avoid over exposure to 1,3 -- Butadiene for the Milby Park community. |
