New York Building Science Experts Help to Identify VOC Exposure Risks

Volatile organic compounds are a diverse group of organic chemical compounds that are used in numerous building products, furnishings, and products found in homes and buildings.  VOCs include chemicals with familiar names, such as formaldehyde, and others many people have not heard of before.
 
VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.  Common materials that may emit VOCs include some types of particle board, fiberboard, plywood, carpeting, cleaning supplies, paints, glues, adhesives, dry-cleaned clothes, and aerosol cans, to name just a few. 
 
Exposure to some VOCs may have short and long-term adverse health effects for people who breathe the chemicals. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports, “Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.”  The EPA also states that common signs and symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, and dizziness.
 
“The ability for these chemicals to cause health concerns varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effects,” said Michael Berrevoets, President, VOETS, LLC. “The level of exposure, length of time exposed, and a person’s sensitivity can all play a role in the extent and nature of any health effects building occupants may experience. Our building science and indoor air quality professionals provide testing services for VOCs in all types of buildings in New York and across the tri-state area.  If testing indicates that elevated concentrations of these chemicals are present, corrective action can then be implemented.”
 
To learn more about VOETS and their VOC, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, health, safety, or occupational testing and consulting services, please visit www.VOETS.nyc, email michael@VOETS.nyc , or call (212) 860-7450.
 
About Verification, Operations, and Environmental Testing Services (VOETS, LLC)
VOETS, LLC began operations in 2016 with some of the most seasoned professional indoor environmental quality consultants in the nation. They bring a proven track record of identifying and resolving a wide range of building science, industrial hygiene, and construction health and safety issues.  VOETS offers environmental compliance, indoor air quality, mold, asbestos, lead-based paint, Legionella, environmental site assessments (ESAs), training, and industrial hygiene consulting services. The company specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional, healthcare, and residential buildings throughout New York City and the tri-state area.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail