Healthy Tips...
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution - Organic
Gases
(Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs)
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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.
EPA'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.
Sources
Household products including: paints, paint strippers, and
other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers
and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored
fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned
clothing.
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.
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.
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Steps to Reduce Exposure
- Use household products according to manufacturer's
directions.
- Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these
products.
- Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in
quantities that you will use soon.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Never mix household care products unless directed on the
label.
Follow label instructions carefully.
Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at
reducing exposure of the user. For example, if a label says to
use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in
areas equipped with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open
up windows to provide the maximum amount of outdoor air
possible.
Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded
chemicals safely.
Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this
single step could help lower concentrations of organic
chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to
keep are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are
also safely out of reach of children.) Do not simply toss
these unwanted products in the garbage can. Find out if your
local government or any organization in your community
sponsors special days for the collection of toxic household
wastes. If such days are available, use them to dispose of the
unwanted containers safely. If no such collection days are
available, think about organizing one.
Buy limited quantities.
If you use products only occasionally or seasonally, such
as paints, paint strippers, and kerosene for space heaters or
gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will use
right away.
Keep 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. Carefully read the labels containing health hazard
information and cautions on the proper use of these products.
Use products that contain methylene chloride outdoors when
possible; use indoors only if the area is well ventilated.
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, and automobile emissions in
attached garages. Actions that will reduce benzene exposure
include eliminating smoking within the home, providing for
maximum ventilation during painting, and discarding paint
supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately.
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. Taking
steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent.
If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick
them up, do not accept them until they have been properly
dried. If goods with a chemical odor are returned to you on
subsequent visits, try a different dry cleaner.
[This information originates from the EPA publication,
"The
Inside Story - A Guide to Indoor Air Quality."]
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