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The ABCs of VOCs in Facilities
Boise, Idaho - What are VOCs and could they be big polluters in your facility? VOC stands for "volatile organic compound." There are thousands of different VOCs and they have two things in common: they contain carbon, and they evaporate quickly.
Some are natural and relatively benign-baking bread and cutting onions releases VOCs. Some are natural but harmful, such as some VOCs from molds (microbial volatile organic compounds: mVOCs).
 Other VOCs are synthetic and may be hazardous. They can be released by paints, solvents, caulking, adhesives and, of course, cleaning products - especially those made with petrochemicals. Many VOCs are irritants, carcinogens and mutagens - and some can give you a headache, or worse.
According to Dr. Christina Peterson, M.D., and neurologist: "For those of us who are headache sufferers (especially those of us with migraines), the chemicals contained in many cleaning products can serve as a headache trigger."
Peterson notes that cleaning products may contain trigger chemicals such as:
* Fragrance
* Solvents (alcohols, propylene glycol, glycol ethers, many others)
* Irritants (like kerosene or formaldehyde)
What about unscented products? Will using these reduce VOC exposure? Not necessarily. "Sometimes, a masking fragrance is used in products labeled 'fragrance-free' or 'unscented' to cover up the scent of a solvent or other VOC in the product," says Peterson.
Reduce Sources & Look for Certification
According to UL: "Source control [is] the best strategy to reduce indoor air pollution and limit chemical exposure. Source control can include selecting products that have been certified for low chemical emissions."
For example, Green Seal's GS-37 standard specifies that certified products do not contain reproductive toxins, volatile organic compounds, 2-butoxyethanol, alkylphenol ethoxylates, phthalates, and ozone-depleting compounds that contribute to the production of photochemical smog, tropospheric ozone, or poor indoor air quality.
Making sure you are using low-VOC cleaning products and processes - source control - is always a sound first step.
SOURCE: The Healthy Facilities Institute (HFI)
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