About Volatile Organic Compounds

Overview

Indoor air typically contains numerous chemicals; many of which can have an adverse impact on our health and quality of life.

Since all indoor air originates from outdoors, the ambient air quality in your location establishes the baseline of conditions present.  Close proximity to industrial, agricultural, utilities, transportation, etc. typically produces higher levels of indoor air pollutants.    

Once indoors, this air receives additional pollutants from building materials, furnishings, maintenance/cleaning chemicals, and personal care products.  The U.S. EPA states VOC levels are often up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors.
 

In general terms, the descriptor “volatile organic compounds” (VOC’s) has become representative of chemical substances that have the ability to volatilize, or evaporate into the atmosphere, at normal temperatures.  Although scientifically limited to organic (carbon-containing) chemicals, the VOC descriptor is often misapplied to mean any substance that has evaporated into the air.

When the source of the substance is microbial in origin (e.g. from molds, bacteria, etc.) the term microbial volatile organic compound (mVOC) may be utilized.

Note that volatility is temperature dependent and most all substances will increase evaporation rates corresponding to increases in temperature. 
 

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system.

Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. 

Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOC’s include conjunctival irritation [membrane covering white part of eye], nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea [shortness of breath], declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis [vomiting], epistaxis [nosebleed], fatigue, dizziness.

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect.

As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed.

Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics.

At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organ­ics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in ani­mals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.
 

VOC’s are emitted from a wide variety of products as witnessed when something smells “new”.  Some odors are simply a function of the materials involved and others are intentionally added as a fragrance.  Either way, those odor are chemicals.

• Materials of construction are a key source of VOC production.  In general, wet-applied products, such as adhesives, paints, caulks, sealants and finishes, dry quickly (typically in a few hours or days) and have high emissions of short durations.  Other products, such as particleboard and plywood, have low emissions lasting long time periods (typically months or years).  However; some wet products, such as carpet adhesives, have long-term emission rates that are significantly higher than many dry products.

• Combustion processes.  Anytime there is something burning – from a candle to a gas-fired appliance – VOC’s will be emitted.

• Furnishings produce VOC’s including  particle­board; finishes on wood, textiles and leather; plastics; adhesives; etc.

• Maintenance and cleaning compounds produce a wide variety of VOC’s and some deserve special attention.

• Personal care products.  A surprising amount of not-so-nice VOC’s are generated from seemingly safe personal care products. 

• Occupancy conditions.  People and pets generate VOC’s.  Activities and hobbies often incorporate materials or appliances that can be substantial sources.

Ideally, there would be no VOC’s in your environment; however, rarely will you find a space without them.  Unfortunately, there are no nationally recognized exposure regulations in the U.S. 

One of the most frequently referenced guidelines on TVOC’s in literature comes from Mølhave’s toxicological work on mucous membrane irritation (Mølhave, 1990).

Seifert’s work (Seifert, 1990) provides guidelines based on the ten most prevalent compounds in seven chemical classes which result in a maximum recommended TVOC level of 300 micrograms per cubic meter of air (sum of the above).

*excluding formaldehyde
 

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