On Nov 18 2008

Air quality in is Excellent, index I (index max: V).
In , same air would be considered as Good, index 3 (index max :10).
Volatile organic compounds
Tuesday, 03 June 2008, Written by Trouni   
Characteristics Main sources Effects on health

VOCs include a range of chemicals such as aldehydes, benzine, hydrocarbons, etc...

  • tobacco smoke
  • paints
  • lacquers
  • cleaning supplies
  • pesticides
  • building materials
  • furnishing
  • copiers and printers
  • graphics or craft materials
  • cosmetics products 
  • eye and respiratory tract irritation
  • headaches
  • dizziness and visual disorders
  • allergic skin reactions
  • nausea
  • fatigue
  • in the long term: VOCs can create cancers (esp. leukemia)
 
About volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
The concentration of VOCs which include a wide range of chemicals such as aldehydes, ketones or hydrocarbons, are consistently higher indoors than outdoors (up to 10 times).

Paints can be sources of VOCs Sources for the indoor pollution with VOCs can be:
  • paints and lacquers
  • cleaning supplies
  • pesticides
  • building materials and furnishing
  • office equipments such as copiers and printers
  • carbonless copy paper
  • graphics or craft material such as glue.

Lots of household products such as paints, varnishes and cleaning, disinfection and cosmetic products include harmful organic chemicals and release these organic compounds while being used or even just stored.
 
Impact of VOCs on your health
As all other pollutants, the ability of VOCs to cause health effects vary from very toxic to not toxic at all and also depends on other factors such as the level and length of exposure to VOCs. Nevertheless eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness and visual disorders are among the immediate symptoms experienced by people after being exposed to some organics.

Higher levels of VOCs can lead to:
  • eye, nose and throat irritation
  • headache
  • allergic skin reactions
  • dyspnea
  • nausea and emesis
  • fatigue and dizziness.

Some organic compounds are suspected or known to cause cancer in animals and humans.

 

Impact of outdoors VOCs

  In addition to impact directly human health, VOCs have an important role for outdoor pollution. They are involved in complex chemical reactions producing secondary pollutants (notably ozone).

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