Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature. Their high vapour pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air, a trait known as volatility.
HOW DO OUR VOCs LEVELS COMPARE TO INDUSTRY STANDARDS?
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL RISK OF VOCs
Suspected Carcinogen – A number of the VOCs present in indoor air have caused cancer (are “carcinogens”) in animal studies when the animals were exposed to high concentrations. A few of these VOCs — for example, formaldehyde and benzene — are considered by many authorities to be proven or probable human carcinogens. The cancer risks from exposures to these VOCs have been estimated using exposure and risk assessment models. Some of these estimates rely on extrapolations from animals to people and all estimates rely on extrapolation from high (e.g., industrial occupational) to low pollutant doses.
Some are highly toxic – Paints and finishes release low level toxic emissions into the air for years after application. The source of these toxins is a variey of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which, until recently, were essential to the performance of the paint.
Can lead to sick building syndrome – Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a medical condition where people in a building suffer from symptoms of illness or feel unwell for no apparent reason. … These symptoms appear to be linked to time spent in a building, though no specific illness or cause can be identified.
VOCs levels are often 2-5 times higher indoors than outside – Outdoors, VOCs are volatized or released into the air mostly during manufacture or use of everyday products and materials. Indoors, VOCs are mostly released into the air from the use of products and materials containing VOCs.
Contribute towards smog formation – Under sunlight, VOCs react with nitrogen oxides emitted mainly from vehicles, power plants and industrial activities to form ozone, which in turn helps the formation of fine particulates. The accumulation of ozone, fine particulates and other gaseous pollutants results in smog that reduces visibility.
