As a doctor, I come
across cases of respiratory allergies on a daily basis and many a times despite
regular medicines and a healthy diet, the patient keeps coming back to me with
the same symptoms – sneezing, irritation in the nose, cough, redness of the eyes,
itching of the skin, hives, wheezing, breathlessness etc.
In such cases, there is
generally a maintaining cause, which means something around
the patient is not allowing him or her to recover and is causing him or her
to develop an allergic reaction recurrently .More often than not, that
something turns out to be a common and seemingly innocuous part of the
household itself .
VOCs are the most common
cause of indoor pollution and respiratory problems because their concentrations are usually higher
indoors (actually up to 5 times more!) than outdoors.
What are V.O.C.s?
VOCs (Volatile Organic
Compounds) and Chemicals – These compounds are volatile (easily disperse into
the surrounding atmosphere) at 25 degrees Celsius and thus can pollute the air
that is inhaled by us.
Common sources of Indoor Pollution are:
Manmade VOCs - A major source of manmade VOCs are the paints, industrial
solvents (thinners) and protective coatings used indoors. Refrigerants and
fossil fuels (LPG etc.) are other common culprits that contribute to VOCs in
our homes.
Some common items that
can emit VOCs in our homes or offices are – Furniture paint, Paints,
adhesives, glues ,solvents ,spray cans, correction fluids ,copier machine
toners, nail paints ,moth balls, air fresheners, carpets, draperies,
deodorizers ,dry cleaned clothing (perchloroethylene vapors from
newly dry-cleaned materials. have been shown to cause cancer in animals),fabric conditioners,hair sprays,aerosols disinfectants,pesticides, tobacco
smoke ,cleaning products ,felt tip markers etc.
Gas from human
intestines and exhaled air from the lungs also contributes to VOCs though
because of low amounts it is not a serious threat.
Phytogenic VOC’s – It is
a common misconception that all plants are good for improving the air quality.
But in fact VOCs are also emitted by most plants and these are called Green
leaf volatiles. Black gums, Poplar and Cedar trees being very high on VOC’s
emissions. The warmer and humid the climate will be, the larger will be the
concentrations of emitted VOCs.
Smog - A mixture of
Smoke ( from coal burning and forest fires etc.) and Fog is loosely called as
Smog, but a greater threat to the environment and human beings is Phytochemical
smog derived from vehicular emissions and industrial fumes or even stubble
burning after wheat harvest especially in North India .These gases
then react in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight to form
secondary pollutants .The secondary and primary pollutants thus combined are
known as a phytochemical Smog and pose a greater risk to health .
Dust mites and fecal
matter – Many household mites that dwell in food and bedding release VOCs
into the indoor air.
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Pets – While our pawed
and winged friends are our beloved companions and great stress busters, they
may also be contributing to the indoor allergens in the form of odors, dander,
droppings and feces. According to a study, feeding American pets has the same
impact on the climate as that of driving 13.6 million cars! Pets can also carry
pollen, molds and other allergens from the outside to the insides of our homes
and deposit it on bedding and other surfaces.
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Kitchen Odors –
Barbeques and smoke from burnt food besides the detergents and cleaners can not
only create unpleasant odors but also contribute to VOCs in your kitchen.
Molds – VOCs from Molds
or fungus is called microbial VOCs. These MVOCs are responsible for the
characteristic "musty, earthy, and moldy” smell in dank homes or during
rainy seasons .Not only is this very unpleasant odor but it can be a great
source of discomfort too for those susceptible to them.
What does Exposure to VOCs do?
Most common symptoms associated
with exposure to VOCs include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat
discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction like itching or rashes, difficulty
in breathing, nausea, vomiting, nose bleeding, fatigue, malaise, dizziness etc.
Long term VOCs exposure has been linked to neuromuscular diseases and even
cancer.
How to Combat Indoor Pollutants?
It is impossible to avoid indoor pollutants
completely but the exposure can be significantly cut down to healthy levels by
taking some precautions and finding safer substitutes to the regular products
used in our homes and work places.
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Furniture -If
possible get furniture and cabinets made from solid wood and not pressed wood
or engineered wood, which is bound together with formaldehyde. Engineered wood
does come cheaper but in the long term may prove costly because of the bad
effect on health and also not as durable as solid wood.
Avoid air
fresheners and deodorizers, aerosols and other scented products that
add additional V.O.C.s to the air.
Bedrooms and wardrobes - Air out bedding regularly
and even freshly dry-cleaned clothes before wearing. This is because freshly dry cleaned clothes emit V.O.C.Place V.O.C. processes such a photocopy machines, printers and photographic development in
rooms with special ventilation systems so that exhaust products are expelled out of
the building.
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Prevent moisture build-up inside that could result
in the growth of V.O.C.-producing molds. Keep humidity levels below 60% by airing
out regularly or using a dehumidifier and make sure that all water seepage is
taken care of rapidly.
Gardens - Keep very few indoor plants
.Scientific studies have found some plants that are quite useful in removing
V.O.C.s like the Japanese royal ferns, Spider plants, Boston ferns, Purple waffle
plants, English Ivy, Areca Palms, Golden Pothos, Aloe Vera, Snake plants and
Peace lilies etc. These plants are a good choice be used for the interiors.
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| Peace Lilies - Source |
Minimize the
use of pesticides indoors. Instead, use other means like a concentrate of
boiled Neem leaves for pest control .Throw away partially filled containers of
old or unneeded chemicals safely. Because gases can leak even from closed
containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of harmful organic
chemicals in your home .
Pets - Bathe and brush your pets regularly to take
care of dander and keeping them away from bedding and furniture can
significantly. The pets should not be fed a very high meat diet .Preferably
have their dwelling on the outside of the house or have a good ventilation
system in place.
Ventilation -
Air out newly manufactured homes and buildings or newly renovated or furnished
areas with fresh, clean outdoor air for a minimum of one week or until the new
odors dissipate .Try and keep the house well ventilated.
While selecting paints, select paints and protective
coatings with aqueous base or formaldehyde free products, look for labels that
describe a "low-emitting formula" and state that the product has a
low V.O.C. content (look for a Green Assure Seal on the paint). Even when using a
low-V.O.C. product, be sure to have adequate ventilation. In fact due to rising
consumer awareness and as a result of latest innovations, paints that contain
activated charcoal technology are now available in the market .These healthier
paints help in absorbing formaldehyde and unwanted odors to give a fresher and
healthier home.The Royal Atmos from Asian Paints is one such brand which promises to reduce
indoor pollutants, curb select bad odors in the house and also releases a soft
fragrance (obviously without V.O.C.s and also eliminating the need for a separate
air freshener for your home). This could well be a superior alternative when
selecting the paint for your home or office.
I hope you find this bit of information useful ,till then Breathe Clean - Breathe Easy !
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