Thankfully, more and more people are becoming aware of the threats posed by poor air quality across the globe. From billows of smog hovering over bustling metropolitan areas, mold contamination in office buildings, to the presence of harmful chemicals in our homes, being aware of exactly what’s in the air around us is becoming an ever more popular and important issue to people. At Purely Green, we provide air quality testing in Massachusetts that lets our customers know exactly what potentially harmful elements are in their environments. Based on our findings, we recommend a unique plan of action to help our customers live and work in safer environments. This not only benefits our clients but also works to increase awareness regarding the overall health of the air we breathe.
One thing we’ve noticed throughout the years of providing air quality testing in Massachusetts is that people often wonder what the health effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are. If you are curious about this very subject matter, then we have good news for you. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has a website that details the health effects that VOCs can have on people. The website www.atsdr.cdc.gov is a useful resource for anyone concerned about the adverse health effects of poor air quality. On the website’s homepage, you’ll find a link to the Toxic Substances Portal. Here you’ll find an A-Z index that lets you access information regarding health effects commonly associated with various chemical compounds.
What Are VOCs?
What are VOCs? Well, organic compounds are found in all living things and are chemicals that contain carbon. VOCs are organic compounds that are easily turned into gases or vapors. Along with carbon, they contain elements like oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, bromine, sulfur, or nitrogen. VOCs are released from solvents, glues, paints, and other products commonly found in homes and offices. They are also released from burning fuels like natural gas, wood, coal or gasoline, so they are prevalent in our environment. When combined with nitrogen oxides, VOC’s react to form ground-level ozone, or smog. This smog contributes to climate change as well as the depreciation of the air in our natural environment.
Many VOCs are hazardous air pollutants with direct health effects on humans. The effect that VOCs have on people varies depending on the compound. Exposure to VOCs can range from having no known health effects to being highly toxic. The health effects depend on the level of exposure, the type of VOC a person is exposed to, and the length of exposure. On the ATSDR’s website, you can find a great deal of information regarding the health effects of a variety of VOCs. The site is well organized and easy to navigate so give it a visit when thinking of undergoing air quality testing in Massachusetts.
If you’re interested in air quality testing in Massachusetts, contact us at: 888-291-3773
