Volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that can cause health concerns for many homeowners in Naples, Ft Myers, Cape Coral and
all of Florida. With Florida homes “closed up” much of the year, VOC’s can accumulate inside your home. Building
materials, glues in furniture are just some of the possible sources for VOC pollutants.
Please contact our office to schedule: Radon Tests / Mold Assessments (inspections) & Sampling
Formaldehyde & VOC Tests / Allergen Screening Radon & Mold Professionals Toll free: (800) 881-3837 188 1st Street, Bonita springs, FL 34134 .... (239) 498-4619 188 1st Street, Bonita Springs, FL 34134 .... (239) 948-9717 radonandmoldprofessionals@gmail.com or radonandmoldprofessionals@comcast.net
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's) E.P.A.: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids.
VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of
many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of
products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides,
building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper,
graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions. 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. 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. Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival
irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels,
nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue, dizziness. 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.
Testing for VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) can be performed by our Certified Indoor Environmentalists in Naples, Cape Coral, Marco
Island and all of Southwest Florida. Testing equipment (TO15) must be ordered from the lab, the equipment
cannot be stored so adequate time is needed for scheduling.
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