Table of Contents

Component Description

The volatile toxicant questionnaire (VTQ) includes data about the SP’s home, activities, amount of time spent in various locations, and exposure to different chemicals over the past 48 hours. This questionnaire data can be used in conjunction with the VOC laboratory dataset in the NHANES 2013-2014 Laboratory Data section.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that have been used as solvents, degreasers, and cleaning agents in industry and consumer products. Many VOCs were found to contaminate ground water and drinking water sources, and because of human health concerns, have been banned or restricted from most uses.

Eligible Sample

Participants aged 12 years and older from a one-half sample were eligible.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

Volatile toxicant questions were asked in the mobile examination center (MEC), by trained interviewers, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) system.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Volatile toxicant questionnaire (VTQ) data were systematically reviewed for consistency, data processing, and data input errors on a periodic basis during the data collection.

The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire. All of the data were reviewed by the NHANES field office staff for accuracy and completeness.

Data Processing and Editing

Data were edited for completeness and consistency.

Analytic Notes

Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS

WTSVOC2Y - VOC Subsample Weight

Variable Name:
WTSVOC2Y
SAS Label:
VOC Subsample Weight
English Text:
VOC Subsample Weight
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
12082.296879 to 322113.58855 Range of Values 3323 3323
0 No Lab Result 166 3489 End of Section
. Missing 0 3489

VTQ210 - Attached garage?

Variable Name:
VTQ210
SAS Label:
Attached garage?
English Text:
First, I would like to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} home. Does {your/her/his} home have an attached garage?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1346 1346
2 No 1762 3108
7 Refused 0 3108
9 Don't know 1 3109
. Missing 380 3489

VTQ220 - Private well?

Variable Name:
VTQ220
SAS Label:
Private well?
English Text:
Is the source of water for {your/her/his} home from a private well?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 301 301
2 No 2749 3050
7 Refused 0 3050
9 Don't know 57 3107
. Missing 382 3489

VTQ200A - Store paints or fuels inside home?

Variable Name:
VTQ200A
SAS Label:
Store paints or fuels inside home?
English Text:
{Do you/Does she/Does he} currently store paints or fuels inside {your/her/his} home? Include {your/her/his} basement {and attached garage}.
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF SP HAS AN ATTACHED GARAGE (CODED ' 1' IN VTQ.210), DISPLAY {and attached garage}.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1007 1007
2 No 2065 3072
7 Refused 0 3072
9 Don't know 33 3105
. Missing 384 3489

VTQ231A - Use moth balls or toilet deodorizers?

Variable Name:
VTQ231A
SAS Label:
Use moth balls or toilet deodorizers?
English Text:
{Do you/Does she/Does he} currently use moth balls, moth crystals or toilet bowl deodorizers inside {your/her/his} home?
English Instructions:
HELP SCREEN SHOULD READ: Some toilet bowl deodorizers clip onto the toilet rim, other, such as deodorant blocks and gels, are placed inside the tank or hang inside the wall of the tank. Brand names include Bully, 2000 Flushes, Vanish, X-14, Ty-D-Bol, Toilet Duck, Clorox, Lime-A-Way, and Sno Bol.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 707 707
2 No 2354 3061
7 Refused 0 3061
9 Don't know 41 3102
. Missing 387 3489

VTQ241A - Did you cook with natural gas?

Variable Name:
VTQ241A
SAS Label:
Did you cook with natural gas?
English Text:
Now I am going to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} activities over the last 48 hours. This means today or yesterday. In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} cook or bake with natural gas?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 772 772
2 No 2327 3099 VTQ244A
7 Refused 0 3099 VTQ244A
9 Don't know 2 3101 VTQ244A
. Missing 388 3489

VTQ241B - Long ago did you cook with natural gas?

Variable Name:
VTQ241B
SAS Label:
Long ago did you cook with natural gas?
English Text:
Now I am going to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} activities over the last 48 hours. This means today or yesterday. How long ago, in hours, did {you/she/he} cook or bake with natural gas?
English Instructions:
HOURS HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 772 772
77 Refused 0 772
99 Don't know 0 772
. Missing 2717 3489

VTQ244A - Did you pump gas into your car?

Variable Name:
VTQ244A
SAS Label:
Did you pump gas into your car?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} pump gas into a car or other motor vehicle {yourself/herself/ himself}?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 906 906
2 No 2193 3099 VTQ251A
7 Refused 0 3099 VTQ251A
9 Don't know 1 3100 VTQ251A
. Missing 389 3489

VTQ244B - Long ago did you pump gas in your car?

Variable Name:
VTQ244B
SAS Label:
Long ago did you pump gas in your car?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, did {you/she/he} pump gas into a car or other motor vehicle {yourself/herself/ himself}?
English Instructions:
HOURS HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 906 906
77 Refused 0 906
99 Don't know 0 906
. Missing 2583 3489

VTQ251A - Spend time in pool, hot tub, steam room?

Variable Name:
VTQ251A
SAS Label:
Spend time in pool, hot tub, steam room?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} spend any time at a swimming pool, in a hot tub, or in a steam room?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 83 83
2 No 3017 3100 VTQ261A
7 Refused 0 3100 VTQ261A
9 Don't know 0 3100 VTQ261A
. Missing 389 3489

VTQ251B - How long ago since at pool, hot tub?

Variable Name:
VTQ251B
SAS Label:
How long ago since at pool, hot tub?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} spent time at a swimming pool, in a hot tub, or in a steam room?
English Instructions:
HOURS HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 83 83
77 Refused 0 83
99 Don't know 0 83
. Missing 3406 3489

VTQ261A - In last 48 hrs use dry cleaning solvent?

Variable Name:
VTQ261A
SAS Label:
In last 48 hrs use dry cleaning solvent?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} use dry cleaning solvents, visit a dry cleaning shop or wear clothes that had been dry-cleaned within the last week?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 136 136
2 No 2956 3092 VTQ265A
7 Refused 0 3092 VTQ265A
9 Don't know 8 3100 VTQ265A
. Missing 389 3489

VTQ261B - Long since use dry cleaning solvents?

Variable Name:
VTQ261B
SAS Label:
Long since use dry cleaning solvents?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} used dry cleaning solvents, visited a dry cleaning shop or wore clothes that had been dry-cleaned within the last week?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48 HOURS
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 135 135
77 Refused 0 135
99 Don't know 1 136
. Missing 3353 3489

VTQ265A - Spend 10+ minutes near person smoking?

Variable Name:
VTQ265A
SAS Label:
Spend 10+ minutes near person smoking?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} smoke or spend 10 or more minutes near a person who was smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 824 824
2 No 2274 3098 VTQ271A
7 Refused 0 3098 VTQ271A
9 Don't know 2 3100 VTQ271A
. Missing 389 3489

VTQ265B - Long since being near person smoking?

Variable Name:
VTQ265B
SAS Label:
Long since being near person smoking?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} smoked or spent 10 or more minutes near a person who was smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe?
English Instructions:
HOURS HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 824 824
77 Refused 0 824
99 Don't know 0 824
. Missing 2665 3489

VTQ271A - In last 48 hrs, bathe for 5+ minutes?

Variable Name:
VTQ271A
SAS Label:
In last 48 hrs, bathe for 5+ minutes?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} take a hot shower or bath for five minutes or longer?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2656 2656
2 No 442 3098 VTQ281A
7 Refused 0 3098 VTQ281A
9 Don't know 2 3100 VTQ281A
. Missing 389 3489

VTQ271B - How long, in hrs, since you bathed?

Variable Name:
VTQ271B
SAS Label:
How long, in hrs, since you bathed?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {your/SP's} last shower or hot bath?
English Instructions:
Hours
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 2651 2651
77 Refused 0 2651
99 Don't know 4 2655
. Missing 834 3489

VTQ281A - In past 48 hrs breathe paint fumes?

Variable Name:
VTQ281A
SAS Label:
In past 48 hrs breathe paint fumes?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from freshly painted indoor surfaces, paints, paint thinner, or varnish?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 90 90
2 No 3007 3097 VTQ281C
7 Refused 0 3097 VTQ281C
9 Don't know 2 3099 VTQ281C
. Missing 390 3489

VTQ281B - How long, since breathed paint fumes?

Variable Name:
VTQ281B
SAS Label:
How long, since breathed paint fumes?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} breathed fumes from freshly painted indoor surfaces, paints, paint thinner, or varnish?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48 HOURS
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 90 90
77 Refused 0 90
99 Don't know 0 90
. Missing 3399 3489

VTQ281C - In past 48 hrs breathe diesel fumes?

Variable Name:
VTQ281C
SAS Label:
In past 48 hrs breathe diesel fumes?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from diesel fuel or kerosene?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 95 95
2 No 2998 3093 VTQ281E
7 Refused 0 3093 VTQ281E
9 Don't know 6 3099 VTQ281E
. Missing 390 3489

VTQ281D - How long, since breathed diesel fumes?

Variable Name:
VTQ281D
SAS Label:
How long, since breathed diesel fumes?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} breathed fumes from diesel fuel or kerosene?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48 HOURS
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 95 95
77 Refused 0 95
99 Don't know 0 95
. Missing 3394 3489

VTQ281E - Breathe fingernail polish fumes?

Variable Name:
VTQ281E
SAS Label:
Breathe fingernail polish fumes?
English Text:
In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from fingernail polish?
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 206 206
2 No 2891 3097 End of Section
7 Refused 0 3097 End of Section
9 Don't know 2 3099 End of Section
. Missing 390 3489

VTQ281F - How long, since breathed polish fumes?

Variable Name:
VTQ281F
SAS Label:
How long, since breathed polish fumes?
English Text:
How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} breathed fumes from fingernail polish?
English Instructions:
HARD EDIT: Range - 1 - 48 HOURS
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Hard Edits:
1 to 48
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 48 Range of Values 206 206
77 Refused 0 206
99 Don't know 0 206
. Missing 3283 3489

Appendix 1. VOLATILE TOXICANT QUESTIONNAIRE (VTQ) VARIABLE TABLE by CYCLE

Variable Name Questionnaire – English Text 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007-2008 2009-2010 2011-2012 2013-2014
VTQ210 “First, I would like to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} home. Does {your/her/his} home have an attached garage?” x x x x x x
VTQ220 “Is the source of water for {your/her/his} home from a private well?” x x x x x x
VTQ200A “{Do you/Does she/Does he} currently store paints or fuels inside {your/her/his} home? Include {your/her/his} basement {and attached garage}.” x x x x
VTQ230A “{Do you/Does she/Does he} use toilet bowl deodorizers inside {your/her/his} home?” x x x x x
VTQ230B “{Do you/Does she/Does he} use moth balls or crystals inside {your/her/his} home?” x x x x x
VTQ231A {Do you/Does she/Does he} currently use moth balls, moth crystals or toilet bowl deodorizers inside {your/her/his} home? x
VTQ240A “Now I am going to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} activities over the last three days. This means today, yesterday, or the day before yesterday. In the last three days, did {you/she/he} pump gas into a car or other motor vehicle {yourself /herself/himself}?” x x x x x
VTQ240B “How long ago, in hours, did {you/she/he} pump gas into a car?” x x x x x
VTQ241A "Now I am going to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} activities over the last 48 hours. This means today or yesterday. In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} cook or bake with natural gas?" x
VTQ241B "Now I am going to ask you a few questions about {your/SP's} activities over the last 48 hours. This means today or yesterday. How long ago, in hours, did {you/she/he} cook or bake with natural gas?" x
VTQ244A “In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} pump gas into a car or other motor vehicle {yourself/herself/ himself}?” x
VTQ244B "How long ago, in hours, did {you/she/he} pump gas into a car or other motor vehicle {yourself/herself/ himself}?" x
VTQ250A “In the last three days, did {you/she/he} spend any time at a swimming pool, in a hot tub, or in a steam room?” x x x x x
VTQ250B “How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} spent time at a swimming pool, in a hot tub, or in a steam room?” x x x x x
VTQ251A "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} spend any time at a swimming pool, in a hot tub, or in a steam room?" x
VTQ251B "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} spent time at a swimming pool, in a hot tub, or in a steam room?" x
VTQ260A “In the last three days, did {you/she/he} visit a dry cleaning shop or wear clothes that had been dry-cleaned within the last week?” x x x x x
VTQ260B “In the last three days, did {you/she/he} spend 10 or more minutes near a person who was smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe?” x x x x x
VTQ261A "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} use dry cleaning solvents, visit a dry cleaning shop or wear clothes that had been dry-cleaned within the last week?" x
VTQ261B "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} used dry cleaning solvents, visited a dry cleaning shop or wore clothes that had been dry-cleaned within the last week?" x
VTQ265A "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} smoke or spend 10 or more minutes near a person who was smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe?" x
VTQ265B "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} smoked or spent 10 or more minutes near a person who was smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe?" x
VTQ270A “In the last three days, did {you/she/he} take a hot shower or bath for five minutes or longer?” x x x x x
VTQ270B “How long ago, in hours, has it been since {your/SP's} last shower or hot bath?” x x x x x
VTQ271A "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} take a hot shower or bath for five minutes or longer?" x
VTQ271B "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {your/SP's} last shower or hot bath?" x
VTQ280A “In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following: Paints?” x x x x x
VTQ280B “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Degreasing cleaners?” x x x x x
VTQ280C “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Diesel fuel or kerosene?” x x x x x
VTQ280D “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Paint thinner, brush cleaner, or furniture stripper?” x x x x x
VTQ280E “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Dry-cleaning fluid or spot remover?” x x x x x
VTQ280F “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Fingernail polish or fingernail polish remover?” x x x x x
VTQ280G “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Glues or adhesives used for hobbies or crafts?” x x x x x
VTQ280H “[In the last three days, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from any of the following:] Varnish or stain?” x x x
VTQ281A "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from freshly painted indoor surfaces, paints, paint thinner, or varnish?" x
VTQ281B "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} breathed fumes from freshly painted indoor surfaces, paints, paint thinner, or varnish?" x
VTQ281C "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from diesel fuel or kerosene?" x
VTQ281D "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} breathed fumes from diesel fuel or kerosene?" x
VTQ281E "In the last 48 hours, did {you/she/he} breathe fumes from fingernail polish?" x
VTQ281F "How long ago, in hours, has it been since {you/she/he} breathed fumes from fingernail polish?" x