Volatile Organic Compounds are often invisible but pose very real health and environmental risks in urban environments. They can come from paints, varnishes, solvents, air fresheners, and other daily-use products, and are thus commonplace in both homes and workplaces.
Let’s discover how Australian homes, workplaces, and landfills are affected by the presence of VOCs and how to stay protected.
What Are Volatile Organic Compounds and Why Do They Matter
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are those chemical compounds that have a high vapour pressure at room temperature, along with low water solubility. They are emitted as gases from certain liquids and solids and are present in a wide array of products like paints, lacquers, paint strippers, building materials, markers, cleaning supplies, etc.
Thus, VOCs are found in homes, landfills, workplaces, and even construction sites.
VOCs have turned into a cause for concern due to the following negative impacts:
- Eye irritation, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
- Damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system from long-term exposure.
- Cancer risk due to the carcinogenic nature.
- Formation of ground-level ozone and smog.
- Poor air quality leading to respiratory problems and ecosystem damage.
Thus, a low volatile organic compound concentration is ideal when it comes to the presence of VOCs in indoor spaces.
Common Sources of VOCs (Indoor and Outdoor)
Indoor and outdoor sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are as follows:
A. Indoor Sources
Inside a home or workspace, VOCs can occur due to the following:
- Household Products: Cleaning agents, air fresheners, disinfectants, and pesticides.
- Building Materials: Carpets, vinyl flooring, adhesives, paints, varnishes, sealants, and composite wood products.
- Activity and Products: Tobacco smoke, dry-cleaned clothesglues, markers, and hobby supplies.
- Personal Care Products: Nail polish, cosmetics, and hair spray.
- Office Equipment: Printers and copiers.
- Combustion: Gas stoves, ovens, and wood-burning stoves.
- Storage: Fuels and automotive products (stored in the garage).
Further, poor ventilation leads to concentration buildup of VOCs.
B. Outdoor Sources
The outdoor sources that emit VOCs include:
- Vehicle emissions from gasoline and diesel engines
- Industrial sites and manufacturing facilities
- Landfill gas emissions
- Construction and remediation sites (including asbestos sites)
Common VOCs and Their Typical Sources
A tabulated list of the common VOCs and their sources of origin is as follows:
| VOC Name | Common Sources | Potential Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | Furniture, flooring, and insulation | High (Carcinogenic) |
| Benzene | Car exhaust, cigarette smoke, and glues | High (Carcinogenic) |
| Toluene | Paint thinners and adhesives | Moderate |
| Acetone | Nail polish remover and solvents | Low to Moderate |
| Xylene | Paints and pesticides | Moderate |
Table 1: Common VOCs and Where They Are Found
Health Risks Associated with VOC Exposure
Both long-term and short-term exposure to VOCs can be connected to certain health concerns.
A. Short-term Health Effects
People who have short-term exposure to VOCs can suffer from the following:
- Eye, nose, throat irritation
- Headaches, dizziness, nausea
- Exacerbation of asthma symptoms
- Allergic skin reactions
- Nosebleeds
- Vomiting
B. Long-term Health Risks
Those who experience long-term exposure to VOCs can experience the following health risks:
- Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system
- Increased cancer risk (especially with formaldehyde and benzene)
- Developmental and reproductive harm (from chronic exposure)
Further, the health effects of VOC exposure in vulnerable populations can be listed as below:
- Children can face developmental and neurological issues.
- Among the elderly, weakened immune systems and reduced respiratory function increase susceptibility.
- Workers in industrial environments can develop asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Occupants near landfills or remediation sites also experience prolonged exposure.
VOCs in Australia: A Local Perspective
Dense populations and concentrated emission sources lead to high VOC levels in urban spaces. These originate from anthropological sources like vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, solvents and cleaners, paints, and gas stoves.
These lead to smog and secondary pollution (ozone and PM 2.5). Further, it also worsens air quality. Due to the heat island effect, low wind speed, and street canyons, pollutants (VOCs) accumulate, leading to higher outdoor exposure levels.
The result is health issues among the urban populace, resulting from VOCs like headaches, nausea, dizziness, liver and kidney issues, CNS damage, and cancer.
Further, the presence of VOCs also leads to indoor air pollution. This necessitates the use of an air purifier for volatile organic compound removal in both homes and workplaces.
How Are VOCs Monitored? Tools, Techniques, and Standards
To stay apprised of the Volatile Organic Compound levels and keep them in check, the following tools, techniques, and standards are used:
A. VOC Monitoring Methods
A volatile organic compound sensor can be used for both:
- Passive Sampling: for long-term trend tracking
- Active Sampling: immediate and real-time data
Further, Photoionization Detectors (PID) and Flame Ionization Detectors (FID) can determine VOC levels in indoor spaces by determining the levels of certain gases like Benzene. You may also opt to install air quality sensors (fixed and portable units) in homes and office spaces.
B. VOC Measurement Units
The presence of VOCs in ambient air can be measured in µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter), ppm (parts per million), and ppb (parts per billion). However, most volatile organic compound sensors use ppm or ppb as the unit of measurement.
C. Relevant Guidelines and Limits
To ensure public and worker safety, government organisations set safe exposure limits for various compounds that make up VOCs.
A table listing the VOC Exposure Limits (Australia) is as follows:
| VOC | Workplace Exposure Limit (TWA)* | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Formaldehyde | 1 PPM | Safe Work Australia |
| Benzene | 1 PPM | Safe Work Australia |
| Toluene | 50 ppm | Safe Work Australia |
| Xylene | 80 ppm | Safe Work Australia |
Table 2: List of VOCs With Their Respective Exposure Limits
**TWA = Time-Weighted Average over an 8-hour workday.
Real-World Applications: Where Monitoring Is Essential
Some real-world applications that call for accurate monitoring with volatile organic compound sensors are as follows:
A. Construction and Remediation Sites
VOCs are released during material removal. On-site monitoring helps protect workers and nearby residents, preventing high exposure levels.
B. Landfill Sites
VOCs are a huge part of landfill gas emissions. Thus, ongoing gas monitoring is a necessity for maintaining environmental compliance.
C. Indoor Workspaces and Homes
Offices may have poor ventilation or chemical use, while renovated homes have new flooring or paint. All of these contribute to VOCs, which lead to indoor air pollution.
An excellent way to prevent and/or manage indoor VOC levels is by opting for environmental services. These help monitor, mitigate, and comply with VOC safety regulations in these scenarios.
Solutions for VOC Reduction and Risk Management
A volatile organic compound sensor can be used to detect and assess VOC levels in a given space. Once you detect the VOC levels, the following steps need to be taken:
- Improve ventilation and air exchange.
- Use low-VOC or no-VOC products (paint, cleaners).
- Install an air purifier for volatile organic compounds removal.
- Conduct regular VOC monitoring for high-risk environments.
- Make Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers mandatory.
- Partner with professional environmental consultants for worker health and safety.
Wrapping Up
VOCs are a hidden but serious concern across Australia’s residential, industrial, and commercial spaces. They not only have short-term impacts like headaches and dizziness, but can also cause cancer with long-term exposure. Thus, proper monitoring and mitigation are necessary to protect health and meet compliance.
Managing and Monitoring VOC Exposure
Concerned about VOC exposure on your site or property? Get in touch with environmental remediation experts for professional VOC monitoring and remediation services across Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Possible to Detect the Presence of VOCs by Smell?
Some VOCs have a distinct new car smell, while others are odourless. Thus, scent is not a reliable indicator of the presence of VOCs.
How Do I Reduce Exposure to Indoor VOCs?
Ventilate well by opening windows and using exhaust fans. Use products that are labeled “low-VOC” or “VOC-free”. Store chemicals like paints and solvents in air-tight containers. Use air purifiers with activated carbon filters for effective absorption and removal of VOCs.
How Long Do VOCs Last After Painting My House?
If the paints you use contain VOCs, the levels will be highest in the first 48 hours of painting. However, certain Volatile Organic Compounds in paints can continue to gas off for up to 6 months.
Can the Concentration of VOCs in the Air Increase With Temperature?
Yes. Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation and diffusion, increasing VOC concentration. For instance, a study using composite wood shows that an increase in temperature from 15 – 30 °C can increase VOC concentration by 1.5 – 129 times.
