| What are
VOC's VOC's are Volatile Organic
Compounds. According to the EPA, "VOC's are emitted as gases from certain solids
or liquids. VOC's include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short
and long term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOC's are consistently
higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOC's 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
home 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 the, 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 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."
The following is a short
list of dangerous toxic hazardous vapor sources generated by construction materials
degassing, which become part of Indoor Air Pollution.
Don't
take our word for it . . . . . .
CAUTION: Read all
warning labels to become familiar with the chemical contents/ingredients of the
products you use that can cause serious problems. They all have one thing in common;
avoid breathing the vapors. The manufacturers have done their job. They issued
the warning(s).
Check the pressed wood products (plywood, particle board,
paneling fiberboard, laminated plastics, shelves, and doors) read the label. They
contain phenol resins or urea resins and toxic glues.
Paneling:
A real chemical mix; styrene formaldehydes urethane, methyl ethyl ketone.
Immitation Stone: Used for work surfaces, tubs, showers, sinks,
countertops which contain polyester resins and gamis resulting from the catalytic
actions. Very toxic.
Floor Coverings: Chemical colorants,
glues, toluene a real work of art. The vapors can cause birth defects, miscarriages
or reproductive harm.
Wood Stains: Contains toluene and
xylene. WARNING May be fatal if inhaled.
Xylene: Can affect
brain and nervous systems causing headaches, dizziness, nausea. Methyl methacylate,
ethyl, benzine, methylene and naphthalene.
Products and Material
That Ring a Bell: Methyl ethyl katone (M.E.K.) used for cleaning resins,
epoxies, vinyl lacquers. Adhesives loctite stick and seal adhesives; contain toluene
and hexane. Avoid breathing vapors.
Lacquer Thinner: Special
Warning: Exposure to toluene vapors is known to cause birth defects or reproductive
harm. Talk about a cocktail! Contains petroleum distillate, methanol, toluene,
ecetone, methyl ethyl ketone, propylene glycol, monomethyl ether acetate, ethyl
acetate and rylene. Very harmful vapors. May affect the brain or nervous system
causing dizziness, headache or nausea. Causes eyes, nose, throat and skin irritation.
Clear Silicone: Contains mineral spirits and Xylene. Exposure can
cause dizziness and is anesthetic.
Plastic Pipe Glues: Danger
vapors harmful: May be absorbed through skin. Acetone-Methyl Ethyl Ketone. Cycloheranone
and tetrahydrofuron. A real combination of baddies.
Epoxy Promer
Catalyst: Contains amine, alcohols, glycol ethers, ketones, xylene, toluene,
esters, resins. Photochemically reactive. Harmful if inhaled. Keep out of reach
of children. Contains dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides. Precautional statements:
Hazards to human and domestic animals. If inhaled may cause eye irritation. (Keep
in mind (pets) the Ed McMann lawsuit, the Dog Settlement.)
Spray
Adhesive Aerosol Adhesive: (Used in drywall taping) Contains cyclohexane,
methylpentane, demethylether, isobutene, propane, 3 methylpentane, 3 dimethylbutane,
2 dimethylbutane, and N-hexane. Very dangerous if inhaled; an understatement.
Paints: Contains avetone, toluene, xylene, ketones, ethylene glycol, and polyvinyl
acetate polymer.
Sub Floor Adhesive: Contains petroleum
distillates, toluene, calcium carbonate, clay, synthetic rubber, toluene and ethyl
alcohol. Vapors are irritating to eyes and respiratory tract and cause headaches,
dizziness and are anesthetic.
WARNING: this product contains a
chemical (toluene) known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects
or other reproductive harm. |
