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Volatile Organic Compound Levels In The Home

Copyright © 2007-2008 Daryl Watters


Volatile organic compound also known as VOCs are common indoor pollutants composed of organic chemicals that evaporate into the air easily at room temperatures. VOCs often cause chemical odors, respiratory irritation, headache, and other indoor air quality related complaints. At certain high levels they can be dangerous. These chemicals are released by paints, paint thinners, varnish, new carpets, new cabinets and furniture that contains particle board, household cleaners and air fresheners, gasoline, improperly vented combustion devices, photocopier machines, blueprint machines, and many other sources. All buildings contain some level of volatile organic compounds, determining what are normal levels and what are elevated levels is important in diagnosing a buildings indoor air quality. The following information gives some idea of what are normal and what are elevated VOC levels.

Global consensus has resulted in the emergence of preliminary guidelines or tVOC standards for IAQ (Australian NHMRC, 1993; Finnish society of IAQ, 1995: Seifert, 1999: Hong Kong EPA, 1999; Japan MoH, 2000).

Depending on Location (home, school, etc.), recommended levels range from 200 to 1300 ug/m3 or about 50 to 325 ppb or .05 to .325 ppm (Toluene units) or approximately 100 to 650 ppb .1 to .650 ppm isobutylene units.

By all accounts the IAQ tVOC threshold for normal environments should not exceed 500 ppb (0.5 ppm) Toluene units, which is equivalent to 1000 ppb (1ppm) isobutylene units.



Field experience suggests the following guide for the use of PIDs to assess indoor environments:

< 100 ppb or (.1ppm) isobutylene units: normal outdoor air

100-400 ppb or (.1-.4ppm) isobutylene units normal indoor air

500 + ppb or (.5ppm) + isobutylene units: indicates potential of IAQ contaminants

Reference RAE Systems Application Note AP-212

In summary the above states that the general consensus among most experts is that recommended indoor levels of total volatile organic compounds is .1 to .6 ppm isobutylene units.

Indoor levels above .5ppm isobutylene units indicates potential contamination and levels should not exceed 1ppm isobutylene units.

Please keep in mind that the above applies to homes offices and schools etc. Exposure limits allowed in industrial settings will be much higher.




About The Author:
Daryl Watters has a bachelors degree in education for teaching biology and general science and is a certified mold inspector, certified home inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing building inspections in South Florida since 1993. For more information visit http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com

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