Here is a description of VOC's (the chemical I'm allergic to):
Volatile Organic Compounds are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature. Their high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air, a trait known as volatility. For example, formaldehyde, which evaporates from paint, has a boiling point of only -19 degrees Celsius or 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
VOC's are numerous, varied and ubiquitous. They include both human made and naturally occurring chemical compounds. Most scents or odors are of VOC's. VOC's play an important role in communication between plants and messages from plants to animals. Some VOC's are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment. Anthropogenic VOC's are regulated by law, especially indoors, where concentrations are the highest. Harmful VOC's typically are not acutely toxic, but have compounding long term health effects. Because the concentrations are usually low and the symptoms slow to develop, research into VOC's and their effects is difficult.
Health Risks- Respiratory, allergic or immune effects in infants or children are associated with man made VOC's and other indoor or outdoor air pullutants. Some VOC's such as styrene and limonene can react with nitrogen oxides or with ozone to produce new oxidation products and secondary aerosols, which can cause sensory irritation symptoms. Unspecified VOC's are important in the creation of smog.
Heath effects include eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; and damage to the 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 VOC's include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headaches, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, vomiting, nose bleeding, 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 effects. As with other pullutants, 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.
Reducing exposure- One should buy products that contain low-VOC's or no VOC's and keep their homes well ventilated. 5-17-16
Volatile Organic Compounds are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature. Their high vapor pressure results from a low boiling point, which causes large numbers of molecules to evaporate or sublimate from the liquid or solid form of the compound and enter the surrounding air, a trait known as volatility. For example, formaldehyde, which evaporates from paint, has a boiling point of only -19 degrees Celsius or 2 degrees Fahrenheit.
VOC's are numerous, varied and ubiquitous. They include both human made and naturally occurring chemical compounds. Most scents or odors are of VOC's. VOC's play an important role in communication between plants and messages from plants to animals. Some VOC's are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment. Anthropogenic VOC's are regulated by law, especially indoors, where concentrations are the highest. Harmful VOC's typically are not acutely toxic, but have compounding long term health effects. Because the concentrations are usually low and the symptoms slow to develop, research into VOC's and their effects is difficult.
Health Risks- Respiratory, allergic or immune effects in infants or children are associated with man made VOC's and other indoor or outdoor air pullutants. Some VOC's such as styrene and limonene can react with nitrogen oxides or with ozone to produce new oxidation products and secondary aerosols, which can cause sensory irritation symptoms. Unspecified VOC's are important in the creation of smog.
Heath effects include eye, nose and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; and damage to the 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 VOC's include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headaches, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, vomiting, nose bleeding, 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 effects. As with other pullutants, 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.
Reducing exposure- One should buy products that contain low-VOC's or no VOC's and keep their homes well ventilated. 5-17-16
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