Sources of indoor air pollution & VOC’s
Indoor air pollutants are not new. In some well-ventilated homes, these indoor pollutants can be found at fairly low levels. With the move to more energy efficient housing, indoor air pollutants and the resulting negative effects on human health and well-being have intensified.

It is expensive to measure contaminate levels of specific pollutants and certify the findings. However, research indicates hundreds of chemical components are likely to be found when a home's air is tested. Many of the chemicals prove to be harmless, while others are extremely toxic. Some produce vague symptoms that make it difficult to determine root causes. Other indoor air pollutants gestate for many years before producing symptoms.

The first approach to having a healthy home environment might mean homeowners taking the responsibility to identify, eliminate, exhaust, or dilute possible harmful substances.

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.go to top

The hazards of home decorating
include the onset and aggravation of allergies, asthma, skin irritations, nausea, headaches, flu-like symptoms and nervous system disorders. There is also a risk of miscarriage and birth defects. In Britain allergies and chemical intolerance have doubled over the last ten years. Does this statistic correlate with the beginnings of our obsession with home improvement? It's just a hunch. go to top

Painting & pregnancy
Some evidence suggests that exposure to chemical solvents during pregnancy may increase your risk of having a baby with birth defects. One study, by the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program, found that women who regularly engaged in hobbies that used solvents — such as repairing cars, painting, and furniture stripping — had a two to four times higher risk of having a baby with gastroschisis (an opening in the abdomen through which the intestines protrude). In other words, these women had a one in 1,250 to one in 2,500 chance of delivering a baby with gastroschisis, compared to one in 5,000 for women not exposed to solvents. go to top

A long name
The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency’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. go to top

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. 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. go to top

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. go to top

But what can you do?
Keep your 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.

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.

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. go to top