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Sources of Indoor Air Pollution -
Organic Gases (Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs)
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients
in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents,
as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products.
Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release
organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are
stored.
EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology
(TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2
to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes
were located in rural or highly industrial areas. Additional TEAM studies
indicate that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they
can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated
concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.
Household products including:
paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays;
cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels
and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.
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.
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.
Studies have found that
levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.
During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint
stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels.
- Use household products according to
manufacturer's directions.
- Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when
using these products.
- Throw away unused or little-used containers
safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Never mix household care products unless
directed on the label.
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Follow label instructions carefully.
Potentially hazardous products often have
warnings aimed at reducing exposure of the user. For example, if a label says
to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in areas equipped
with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open up windows to provide the
maximum amount of outdoor air possible.
Throw away partially full containers of old
or unneeded chemicals safely.
Because gases can leak even from closed
containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic
chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to keep are stored
not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of
children.) Do not simply toss these unwanted products in the garbage can. Find
out if your local government or any organization in your community sponsors
special days for the collection of toxic household wastes. If such days are
available, use them to dispose of the unwanted containers safely. If no such
collection days are available, think about organizing one.
Buy limited quantities.
If you use products only occasionally or
seasonally, such as paints, paint strippers, and kerosene for space heaters or
gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will use right away.
Keep exposure to emissions from products
containing methylene chloride to a minimum.
Consumer products that contain methylene
chloride include paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints.
Methylene chloride is known to cause cancer in animals. Also, methylene
chloride is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symptoms
associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. Carefully read the labels
containing health hazard information and cautions on the proper use of these
products. Use products that contain methylene chloride outdoors when possible;
use indoors only if the area is well ventilated.
Keep exposure to benzene to a minimum.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. The main
indoor sources of this chemical are environmental tobacco smoke, stored fuels
and paint supplies, and automobile emissions in attached garages. Actions that
will reduce benzene exposure include eliminating smoking within the home,
providing for maximum ventilation during painting, and discarding paint
supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately.
Keep exposure to perchloroethylene
emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a minimum.
Perchloroethylene is the chemical most widely
used in dry cleaning. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to cause cancer
in animals. Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this
chemical both in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored and as they wear
dry-cleaned clothing. Dry cleaners recapture the perchloroethylene during the
dry-cleaning process so they can save money by re-using it, and they remove
more of the chemical during the pressing and finishing processes. Some dry
cleaners, however, do not remove as much perchloroethylene as possible all of
the time. Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent.
If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not
accept them until they have been properly dried. If goods with a chemical odor
are returned to you on subsequent visits, try a different dry cleaner.
From the IAQ Tools for Schools kit - IAQ Coordinator's Guide -
www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/tfs/guidee.html
Description |
Sources |
Standards
or Guidelines |
Volatile organic chemicals
(VOCs) are
emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.
VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse
health effects. 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. Examples
include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers,
cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials
and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and
carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft
materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions. |
No standards have been set for VOCs in
non industrial settings. OSHA regulates formaldehyde, a specific VOC, as a carcinogen.
OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of .75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5
ppm.
HUD has established a level of .4 ppm for mobile homes. Based upon current
information, it is advisable to mitigate formaldehyde that
is present at levels higher than 0.1 ppm. |
Health
Effects |
Control
Measures |
Key signs or 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, dizziness. |
Increase ventilation when using products
that emit VOCs. Meet or exceed any label precautions. Do not store opened containers
of unused paints and similar materials within the school.
Formaldehyde, one of the best known VOCs, is one of the few indoor air
pollutants that can be readily measured. Identify, and
if possible, remove the source. If not possible
to remove, reduce exposure by using a sealant on all exposed surfaces of paneling and
other furnishings. Use integrated pest management techniques to reduce the need for
pesticides. |
Additional Resources
Indoor Air Fact Sheet No. 4 (revised) - Sick
Building Syndrome
Explains the term "sick building
syndrome" (SBS) and "building related illness" (BRI).
Discusses causes of sick building syndrome, describes building investigation
procedures, and provides general solutions for resolving the syndrome. [EPA
402-F-94-004, April 1991]
Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
Assists health professionals (especially the primary care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. Addresses the health problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco
smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and includes suggestions for remedial action. Also includes references for information contained in each section. This booklet was
coauthored with the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association,
and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. [EPA 402-R-94-007,
1994]
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