Volatile Organic Compounds

---

Volatile organic compounds (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.

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 (The United States Environmental Protection Agency) 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.

Sources

The sources of VOC's include 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.

Below are examples of some of the chemicals and sources that can be found in a normal home. We have taken as example rooms, a kitchen and a living room. More information can be found at www.chemical-cocktail.org

Kitchens

Plastic Chopping Boards

Plastic boards and bowls may contain tributyltin, a chemical which kills bacteria. Tributyltin is harmful to the immune system and genetic material of living organisms. They are probably made from PVC and may contain phthalates. Phtalates cause allergies and are suspected of being endocrine disrupting

Non-stick Pans

Non-stick pans usually contain perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), some of which are classified as carcinogenic.

Dishwasher Detergents

Dishwashing detergents may contain the biocide (to kill bacteria) tributyltin, which is harmful to the immune system and accumulates in the body. They may also contain phosphates, which are substances that are irritating to the skin and harmful to the aquatic environment. Finally, detergents may contain alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, which have damaging effects on the hormonal system and on human fertility, and fragrances, which may frequently cause allergies.

All Purpose Cleaners

“All purpose cleaners” may contain several chemicals, such as biocides (to kill bacteria), which are harmful to the immune system and accumulate in the body; and formaldehyde, which is poisonous, allergenic and carcinogenic and irritates the eyes, nose and throat. All purpose cleaners may also emit volatile organic compounds which can also irritate eyes, throat and lungs.

Fridge/Freezers, Washing Machines

Your refrigerator may contain brominated flame-retardants (BFRs). BFRs are a family of chemicals used to reduce the risk of fire, which may be emitted from consumer articles. Some of them are persistent and build up in the body. Some of these chemicals are also suspected of disrupting the hormonal system of humans and wildlife. Out of around 200 existing BFRs, only two (PBBs and PBDEs) are prohibited in electrical and electronic equipment since July 2006.

Laundry Detergents

Your washing powder may contain phosphates, which are substances that are irritating to the skin and harmful to the aquatic environment. Detergents may contain alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates, which have damaging effects on the hormonal system and on human fertility, and fragrances, which may frequently cause allergies.

Insecticide/Odour Diffusers

Some insecticides may contain 20% lindane and dibutylphthalate. Lindane is moderately toxic and can be hazardous for human beings, if incorrectly or carelessly handled. Dibutylphthalate, part of the phthalate family, can affect the digestive and reproductive systems. Insecticide diffusers may also emit volatile organic compounds which can irritate eyes, throat and lungs.

Towels

Your towel may contain formaldehyde and azodyes. Formaldehyde is used as an anti-crease agent in textiles, and is poisonous, allergenic and carcinogenic. Azodyes are used for colouring textiles and some are suspected of causing cancer. Towels can also contain residues of methyl parathion, toxic pesticides that are not allowed in the EU but are used in developing countries.

Living Rooms

TV Brominated flame-retardants may leak from television sets, and can be inhaled. BFRs are a family of chemicals used to reduce the risk of fire, which may be emitted from consumer articles. Some are persistent and build up in the body. Some of these chemicals are also suspected of disrupting the hormonal system of humans and wildlife. Out of around 200 existing BFRs, only two (PBBs and PBDEs) are prohibited in electrical and electronic equipment since July 2006.

Soft Furniture

Your sofa may contain brominated flame-retardants (BFRs). BFRs are a family of chemicals used to reduce the risk of fire, which may be emitted from consumer articles. Some of them are persistent and build up in the body. Some of these chemicals are also suspected of disrupting the hormonal system of humans and wildlife.

Laminate Furniture

Formaldehyde can be found in laminated furniture and is classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation. It is poisonous, corrosive and allergenic. Laminated furniture may also emit volatile organic compounds which can irritate eyes, throat and lungs.

Curtains

The heavy metals cadmium and chromium, sometimes used to dye textiles, are carcinogenic and pose a health risk to consumers. EU legislation bans cadmium and chromium in a number of products, but not for use in dyeing textiles. Your curtains may also contain azodyes, used for colouring textiles, and some of which are suspected of causing cancer. Last but not least, your curtains may contain brominated flame retardants, a family of chemicals used to reduce the risk of fire, which may be emitted from consumer articles. Some of them are persistent and build up in the body. Some BFRs are also suspected of disrupting the hormonal system of humans and wildlife.

Plants

Your pot plants and flowers may have been treated intensively with pesticides. Pesticides may damage your health and the environment. The flower chrysanthemum may have been treated with pesticides more than 900 times a year, while farmland is sprayed only twice a year. Pesticides can be toxic, and have damaging effects on the immune and hormonal systems.

Health Effects

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. 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.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.