Indoor Contaminants:

Volatile Organic Compounds

Unit 4
Volatile Organic Compounds

Easily evaporates under normal indoor

conditions
Normally gas phase
Formaldehyde: CH20

Here there and everywhere!

Colorless, flammable gas with a pungent smell!
Tetrachloroethelyne: C2C14

Dry cleaning
Colorless, non-flammable liquid with a sharp
and sweet smell
Semi VOC: Phthalates

You can’t see, smell, or taste them, but they’re

in hundreds of products you use every day.
Not soluble in water but soluble in organic
solvents
Semi VOC: Phthalates
•Cosmetics and personal care products, from perfume,
nail polish, and hair spray to soap, shampoo, and skin
moisturizers
•Medical tubing and fluid bags
•Wood finishes, detergents, adhesives, plastic plumbing
pipes, lubricants, solvents, insecticides, building
materials, and vinyl flooring
•Food, especially meat and dairy products and fast food
Signs and symptoms
Acute leading to chronic issues
Headache, dizziness or drowsiness
Eye, nose and throat irritation
Asthma and respiratory problems
Sweating, eczema, skin allergies, skin lesions and rashes
Neurological problems
Kidney and liver damage
Infertility or reduced sperm count
How to reduce exposure?
Know sources, read labels
Lessen usage
Better ventilation
Clean regularly (vacuum cleaner)
Use PPE
VOC vs COVID?