Question:
How would I know if my home has elevated levels of Volatile Organic Compounds?
This is a question I get all the time.
Sources:
A large number of VOCs are emitted into indoor air building materials, furnishings, cleaning compounds, office equipment, personal care products, air fresheners, pesticides, occupant activities, and un-vented combustion processes such as tobacco smoking, burning of wood or kerosene, cooking with gas stoves. Some of the key indoor sources of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are pesticides, building or decorating materials made of or containing flexible plastics such as vinyl wallpaper or vinyl flooring, and building materials and furniture containing flame retardants. VOCs are also produced indoors from Chemical reactions of indoor ozone with other VOCs, SVOCs, or materials such as carpeting. VOCs also enter buildings along with outdoor air; however, for many VOCs and SVOCs for which the primary sources are indoors, indoor air concentrations far exceed outdoor air concentrations.
Health Effects:
Some VOCs are odorous and some are suspected causes of adverse health effects. The suspected health effects cover a broad range including, but not limited to, sensory irritation symptoms, allergies and asthma, neurological and liver toxicity, and cancer.
Testing:
Done by Culley Enviro with a variety of methods. Call us for pricing. We will have something that fits your budget.