What is TVOC, and What is Its Impact on Indoor Air Quality?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average human spends roughly 90% of their time indoors. However, many people are unaware that the air inside their homes is often much more polluted than the air outside.
TVOC (short for total volatile organic compounds) is often to blame for poor indoor air quality. TVOC is the summation of all volatile organic compounds found in a given volume of air.
VOCs are a large group of chemicals found in many building materials or everyday products we use in our homes.
Once these chemicals enter a home, they release or “off-gas” into the air. Offgassing is when products release particulate matter and gases that were formerly trapped in a liquid or solid form. The resulting gases are often carcinogenic (known to cause cancer) or can react with other common air components to form known carcinogens.
Fortunately, there are a number of things that homeowners can do to minimize the levels of TVOC in their homes. In this post, we will discuss some key factors that influence TVOC levels, as well as some simple steps you can take to reduce indoor air pollution.
What Are the Health Effects of VOCs?
An indoor environment with high TVOC levels can have various adverse effects on your health. Some of the most common symptoms of VOC exposure include:
- Eye, Nose, and Throat Irritation
- Headaches
- Nausea and Fatigue
- Allergies
- Nasal and Sinus Congestion
- Wheezing and Coughing
In addition to these symptoms, high levels of TVOCs can cause severe symptoms in children and adults with underlying health conditions. For example, VOCs may trigger or worsen asthma attacks in at-risk individuals. It can also cause other respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
That’s why it’s so important for homeowners to take steps to reduce indoor air pollution and lower their risk of exposure.
Where Do VOCs Come From?
First, let’s look at some of the most common sources of VOCs. There are several potential sources of VOCs in your home, including:
Building Materials
It’s been well-documented that homebuilders and contractors are using cheaper materials in order to cut costs these days. This is primarily due to the rising cost of building materials — particularly in cities and urban areas.
However, many builders/contractors do this without disclosing that the materials they are using contain VOCs, like Formaldehyde. This can lead to serious health problems, particularly for individuals with allergies or respiratory conditions.
According to the EPA, possible building-related sources of VOCs include:
- Painted Services
- Carpets or Synthetic Materials (such as Nylon)
- Adhesives and Paints
- Plywood and Particle Board
Home & Personal Care Products
Some of the less-talked-about sources of VOCs in the home are certain personal care and household products. Some of the most common examples of everyday items that contain VOCs include:
- Air Fresheners
- Cleaning Products
- Perfumes and Lotions
- Scented Candles
- Art Supplies
If you have any of these products in your home, you should consider replacing them with natural, VOC-free alternatives.
Mold
If your home has a mold problem, it may be releasing VOCs into the air. Mold grows in warm, humid environments (such as basements, attics, and bathrooms) and can spread quickly.
Once mold has taken hold of your home, it can release a wide range of VOCs into the air, called MVOCs. So, if mold is left untreated for long periods, it can have serious adverse effects on your health.
If you suspect your home has a mold problem, taking action immediately is important. A professional mold inspector can come to your home and assess the situation so that you can determine the best course of action.
To read more, check out the full article originally published on Guaranteed Property and Mold Inspection.
