Volatile organic compounds, sometimes referred to as VOCs, are organic compounds that easily become vapours or gases. Without adequate ventilation, these compounds can quickly accumulate in the air, and be inhaled.
VOC monitoring should be carried out in workplaces that handle paints, adhesives, inks and cleaners. Although each VOC has a mixture of compounds with varying exposure limits, a scan of all the VOCs can be used to compare to background levels .
Exposure may cause:
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
- Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system
- Some organics can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans
The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effects.