Article Summary
This article describes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including our measurement methodology and common health effects associated with high VOC levels.
Article Overview
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VOCs Explained
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Health Effects of VOCs
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Why are VOCs Measured as a Group Rather Than Individually?
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Which VOCs Can Awair Element Detect?
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What are the common sources of TVOCs?
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What Steps Can I take to Reduce My Chemical Reading?
VOCs Explained
Awair Element measures and reports the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds in your air, otherwise known as VOCs. VOCs are naturally occurring and man-made chemicals that have a range of health impacts. Products such as cigarettes, hair spray, building materials, and furniture all produce VOCs that range in severity and concentration. Awair devices all measure the total amount of VOCs (tVOCs) in the indoor area, which is the industry standard for measurement. This measurement should be understood as a hygiene metric: if VOCs are routinely high, you should identify the source to take action and consider ordering additional testing from specialized equipment.
Health Effects of VOCs
According to the EPA, “Studies from the United States and Europe show that persons in industrialized nations spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors. For infants, the elderly, persons with chronic diseases, and most urban residents of any age, the proportion is probably higher. In addition, the concentrations of many pollutants indoors exceed those outdoors.” Because VOCs are such a common and prevalent indoor pollutant, exposure to them can have a variety of impacts on health and comfort. VOCs can contribute to a host of symptoms including headache, fatigue, eczema, and even cancer.
Exposure to moderate levels of VOCs can trigger allergies and asthma. They can cause nasal congestion, cough, wheezing, and pharyngtis (inflammation and soreness of the throat). Aside from respiratory symptoms, VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, conjunctival irritation (irritation of the membrane covering the eyes and inside of the eyelids), allergic skin reactions, and fatigue.
Higher levels of VOCs can include irritation of eyes and nasal passages, nausea and headaches, lethargy and malaise, rash, skin irritation, and eczema.
Long term VOC exposure effects also contribute to overworking the liver and kidneys and has been linked to cognitive impairment, personality changes, and cancer.
Awair Element’s Total VOC index provides benchmarks to help you understand your daily exposure.
Why are VOCs measured as a group instead of individually?
There are several different reasons that VOCs are treated as a group instead of individually.
The EPA’s Technical Assistance Document for Sampling and Analysis of Ozone Precursors lists more than 90 target VOCs that have potentially negative health effects while their Substance Registry Service lists over 230 VOCs.
VOCs tend to co-occur, meaning that if some of the VOCs in the above list are present, others coming from the same sources are likely present as well. Ventilation or removal of the source will generally be equally effective for most or all VOCs present.
VOCs have a cumulative effect on health and comfort. For example, numerous VOCs are asphyxiants. Asphyxiants displace oxygen in the blood. If a person inhales multiple asphyxiants, each one is working to displace oxygen in that person’s blood and the effects that the chemicals have on that person are compounded.
Since VOCs occur as a group and can often be treated as a group, measuring and reporting each chemical individually is impractical. Measuring and dealing with them as a group is simpler and far more effective.
Which VOCs Can Awair Element Detect?
Awair Element’s tVOC sensor is calibrated to detect the following chemicals;
Acetone
Acetic Acid
Toluene
m- & p-Xylenes
n-Undecane
n-Dodecane
Nonanal
n-Decane
o-Xylene
d-Limonene
Benzene
1,1,1-Trichloroethane
Hexanal
Ethanol
Ethanal
Isoprene
Methanol
Isopropanol
Ethylbenzene
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
Tetrachloroethene
Phenol
Ethyl acetate
2-Butanone
Styrene
TXIB
4-Ethyltoluene
2-Butoxyethanol
2-Ethyl-1-hexanol
Nonane
Octane
Butyl acetate
n-Hexane
Pentanal
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
a-Pinene
Texanol 1&3
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
Napthalene
1-Butanol
1,4-Dichlorobenzene
3-Methyl pentane
Trichloroethene
Methylene chloride
Trichlorofluoromethane
t-Butyl methyl ether
Trichloro-trifluoroethane
Chloroform
Carbon tetrachloride
4-Phenylcyclohexene
Carbon disulfide
Chlorobenzene
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
formaldehyde
What are the common sources of TVOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), or “Total” VOCs in aggregate, can be found in a number of household products. We recommend that you check your environment for any of the following products:
- Paints and protective coatings
- Cigarette, tobacco, or vape smoke
- Aerosol sprays
- Building materials such as ceiling tiles, adhesives, and wallboards
- Personal care products such as colognes, perfumes, nail polish, nail polish remover, and rubbing alcohol
- Cleaning materials such as glass cleaner, dishwashing detergent, and laundry detergent or sheets
- Paint stripper or adhesive remover
- Deodorizers, mothballs, and air fresheners
- Upholstered furniture and carpets
- Refrigerants and fuels
- Hand sanitizers
- Anything with a fragrance