How Does Volatile Organic Compounds Affect Indoor Air Quality

Volatile organic compounds are released in the form of gases from specific liquids or solids. They comprise several types of chemicals that cause short-term and long-term health effects on the body. Let us understand more about how volatile organic compounds impact indoor air quality.

What Types Of Problems Are Caused Due To Poor Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality can result in the following types of problems:

• Stuffy and Stale air
• A lot of humidity
• Persistent odours
• The appearance of mould in the damp spots
• Health issues that cause headaches, nausea, fatigue, skin issues, asthma, respiratory issues, and more.

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What Are The Sources Of Volatile Organic Compounds?

• paints,
• paint strippers
• aerosol sprays
• wood preservatives
• cleansers
• disinfectants
• moth repellents
• air fresheners
• hobby supplies
• stored fuels
• automotive products
• dry-cleaned clothing
• pesticide
• building materials
• furnishings
• office equipment that includes printers, copiers, carbonless copy paper, and correction fluids
• graphics
• craft materials that include adhesives, glues, photographic solutions, and permanent markers.

What Can Be Consequences Of Exposure to VOC?

Contact to VOC can cause people to experience certain symptoms that include:

• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Worsening of allergies
• Sinus congestion
• Irritation in eyes, throat, and nose
• Signs of asthma
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Loss of coordination
• Damage to the kidney, central nervous system, and liver

Symptoms Linked To Exposure To VOC's

Organic chemicals can cause a wide range of health effects that differ from one person to another. These are the commonly experienced signs in people who are exposed to volatile organic compounds.

• Conjunctiva irritation
• Visual disorders
• Memory impairment
• Throat and nose discomfort
• Epistaxis
• Headache
• Dyspnea
• Allergic skin reaction
• Reduction in serum cholinesterase levels
• Emesis
• Fatigue
• Dizziness

The type and extent of the health effect depend on various factors that include the amount and duration of exposure.

Steps to Reduce Exposure

Here, are some of the steps that can help lower volatile organic compounds.

• Enhance ventilation at the time of using products that releases VOCs.
• Fulfill or exceed label precautions.
• Don't store opened containers of paints within the school.
• Formaldehyde is a popular VOC. It is one of those indoor air pollutants that one can easily measure.
• Identify, and remove the source.
• Limit exposure with the help of a sealant on varying exposed areas of the paneling and other types of furnishings.
• Use the integrated form of pest management methods that helps reduce the requirement for pesticides.
• Use household products as per the direction of manufacturers.
• Ensure that you provide a lot of fresh air when using the products.
• Throw away any little-used or unused containers safely
• Keep it away from pets, and children.
• Do not accept dry-cleaned goods if they do not dry properly.
• If you get a smell of chemical odor then try a different dry cleaner.
• Do not mix household care products till it is mentioned on the label.
• Carefully follow label instructions.
• Potentially dangerous products have warnings that aim at lowering user exposure.
• Throw away partly full old or not required containers safely.
• Buy amounts in limited quantities so that you don't have to keep unused products. These products include those that you use seasonally or occasionally such as kerosene, paints, and paint strippers.
• Reduce your exposure to methylene chloride and benzene to a minimum.

Conclusion

Fresh air is very important for the survival of the person. Volatile organic compounds can make air impure. It can cause a lot of health issues to the family members. Proper testing of air quality and implementation of the above tips helps in the protection from health issues.