Volatile Organic Compounds, also known as VOCs, are found everywhere, but not a lot of people have the right knowledge about them. There are so many health effects of VOC compounds, which make them quite harmful.
What Are Volatile Organic Compounds?
The chemicals and gases that are used in a various number of household products that have some kind of fragrance. If inhaled, the VOCs can cause some serious damage to your health. Proper ventilation is required to maintain the indoor air quality and prevent the severe damage caused by these components. A VOC Fume Extraction from IP Systems, LLC can work wonders by cleaning the pollutants from the air around you and ensuring a clean environment.
VOCs are found in:
- Cosmetic products and deodorants
- Fuel and various automotive products
- Aerosol sprays
- Paints and related products
- Disinfectants and cleaning products
- Pesticides
- Building and furnishing materials
- Pressed wood products
- Candles
- Stove, and various other everyday usage products.
Volatile Organic Compounds Health Effects
Long-time exposure to VOCs may cause some serious health conditions such as cancer, breathing issues, etc. There are several long-term and short-term health risks of VOC compounds. Let us look at them each.
Short-term effects of VOC compounds
The short-term effects of volatile organic compounds include:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Respiratory issues
- Eye irritation
- Nausea
- Visual disorders
The long-term impact of VOC compounds
There are various long-term health effects of volatile organic compounds, which makes them highly risky for your health. The risks involve:
- Cancer
- Disoriented coordination
- Loss of memory
- Throat and eye irritation for a long period
- Damaged central nervous system
- Damaged lungs and kidney
- Chronic fatigue and illness
You can effectively work on reducing the health risks caused by these hazardous chemical compounds by installing a VOC fume extraction system at your home or workplace. Another effective way is by decreasing the usage of products that have high levels of volatile organic compounds.
You should ensure that you do not end up storing the products that release VOCs, such as paints, aerosol sprays, etc. If you have not used these chemical products for a long-time and they have been lying on your cabinet shelves, it is better to dispose of these items to reduce the chances of exposure. For that, please check for the disposing instructions released by the local authority in your area.