VOCs and
Sick Building Syndrome
The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS)
is used to describe situations in which building
occupants experience acute health and comfort effects
that appear to be linked to time spent in a building,
but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The
complaints may be localized in a particular room or
zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In
contrast, the term "building related illness" (BRI) is
used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified
and can be attributed directly to airborne building
contaminants.A 1984 World Health Organization
Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new
and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of
excessive complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ).
Often this condition is temporary, but some buildings
have long-term problems. Frequently, problems result
when a building is operated or maintained in a manner
that is inconsistent with its original design or
prescribed operating procedures. Sometimes indoor air
problems are a result of poor building design or
occupant activities.
Indicators of
SBS include:
- Building occupants complain of symptoms
associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache;
eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or
itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in
concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
- The cause of the symptoms is not known.
- Most of the complainants report relief soon
after leaving the building.
Indicators of
BRI include:
- Building occupants complain of symptoms such as
cough; chest tightness; fever, chills; and muscle
aches.
- The symptoms can be clinically defined and have
clearly identifiable causes.
- Complainants may require prolonged recovery
times after leaving the building.
It is important to note that complaints may result
from other causes. These may include an illness
contracted outside the building, acute sensitivity
(e.g., allergies), job related stress or
dissatisfaction, and other psychosocial factors.
Nevertheless, studies show that symptoms may be caused
or exacerbated by indoor air quality problems.
What
Are VOCs?
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 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
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.
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.
Levels in
Homes
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.
Standards or Guidelines
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.
Take
action now to reduce your family's risk of
illness and disease from VOC's. Contact your local
RespirNet PRO to discuss testing your property for
Volatile Organic Compounds today. |
