Volatile Organic Compound Exposure Risks in the Built Environment

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. These chemicals can be found in numerous products and materials used to build, furnish, clean, and maintain homes and buildings. They can also be found in a number of personal care products and consumer goods where they can become airborne pollutants.

Exposure to elevated levels of VOCs can cause health concerns. Unfortunately, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Possible health effects from exposure to VOCs shared by the agency include:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
• Damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system
• Some organics can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans

“Potential signs and symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs listed by EPA include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue and dizziness,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “There are also a number of occupations that put workers at risk of being exposed to high levels of these chemicals in the air they breathe on the job. This is why the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and Cal/OSHA have developed permissible exposure limits (PELs) for so many of them.”

To protect building occupants and workers, CSC offers consulting and testing services to detect and mitigate exposure to elevated levels of VOCs and other airborne pollutants. If concerning levels are detected, their building science and industrial hygiene professionals can provide the expertise to eliminate exposure hazards. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about VOCs in the built environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/yOz1CD_3DSE

To learn more about this or other building science, industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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