Common examples of VOCs that may be present in our daily lives are:
benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene
.
What is the largest source of VOCs?
Humans
Identified as the Largest Source of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Indoor Air. US researchers found that people and their possessions directly emitted 57% of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) they measured in the air of a university lecture theatre[1].
What is a natural source of VOCs?
Common emissions sources of VOCs include dry cleaners; auto body shops; cars, trucks, and buses; lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment; and industrial painting and coating operations. Natural processes, like
plant and animal respiration and organic decomposition
, also release VOCs into the atmosphere.
What are harmful VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. Some are
harmful by themselves
, including some that cause cancer. In addition, they can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.
What products contain VOCs?
- Gasoline, fuels, and solvents.
- Paints, stains, strippers, and finishes.
- Pesticides.
- Personal care products.
- Aerosol sprays.
- Cleaners and room deodorizers.
- New cabinets, furniture, and beds.
- New carpets, rugs, and wood floors.
Should I worry about VOCs?
Health effects of VOC exposure
Breathing in low levels of VOCs for long periods of time may increase some people’s risk of health problems. Several studies suggest that exposure to VOCs may make symptoms worse for people with asthma or who are particularly sensitive to chemicals.
How do you remove VOCs from air?
- Increase Ventilation. …
- Install an Air Purifier. …
- Add Potted Plants to the Building. …
- Never Allow Cigarette Smoke Indoors. …
- Choose a Good Dry Cleaner. …
- Do volatile organic compounds (VOCs) smell? …
- How can employees minimize VOC exposure in an office building? …
- Do VOCs get trapped in walls and carpeting?
How can I test my home for VOCs?
One method for measuring VOCs is
using a photoionization detector (PID)
. This is a screening tool that approximates the total volatile organic compound levels. The advantages of this method include: It provides immediate results.
What is the most common VOC?
- Acetic Acid. …
- Butanal. …
- Carbon Disulfide. …
- Ethanol. …
- Alcohol. …
- Formaldehyde. …
- Methylene Chloride. Also known as dichloromethane, this is one of the most common VOCs. …
- Living With VOCs. Unfortunately, VOCs are a part of life, and there are too many of them to list.
Where are VOCs found naturally?
Many VOCs are relatively benign, and humans have evolved to coexist with them.
Vegetation
is a major source of isoprene, a terpenoid VOC that gets emitted naturally during the routine life cycles of tree species like eucalyptus and oak. Each year, 600 million metric tons of isoprene enter the air.
How do you test for VOCs?
- The use of an onsite PID meter (photo-ionizing detector) for real-time total VOC levels (tVOCs)
- The use of sorbent tubes or air-capturing devices for lab analysis (usually GCMS) or summa canisters and regulators to target a wide variety of compounds by EPA method TO-15.
What do VOCs do to the body?
VOCs include a variety of chemicals that can cause
eye, nose and throat irritation
, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and skin problems. Higher concentrations may cause irritation of the lungs, as well as damage to the liver, kidney, or central nervous system.
What is the primary source of VOC?
With the exception of methane, the primary sources of VOCs are
industry, vehicle emissions, refrigerants, and cleansers
. Many VOCs are not primary pollutants and are not harmful in and of themselves. However, many VOCs do react with other chemicals to produce secondary pollutants such as ozone.
How long do VOCs stay in body?
How long do VOCs stay in body? The authors found a return to “normal” VOC levels after
2-3 months
. The research was based on “real life” studies in Germany, not chamber tests. Use the 2-3 month timeframe only as a guide, as my experience in the tight home with strong sources indicates it can take much longer.
Can VOCs make you sick?
Long term exposure to indoor VOCs will cause liver or kidney damage and even cancer. Health effects may include: Eye, nose & throat irritation. Headaches, loss of coordination
&
nausea.
How long do VOCs last?
The VOCs emanating from a product dissipate over time as the chemicals vaporize. VOCs from paint dissipate fairly quickly with most offgassing occuring during the first 6 months after application. Other sources, such as particle board may continue to offgas for
20 years or more
.
