How long are vocs emitted

Many states have laws requiring mechanical ventilation. It would have been better to wait for the VOCs to dissipate more. So back to the question at hand… how long does it take? Use the month timeframe only as a guide, as my experience in the tight home with strong sources indicates it can take much longer.

You must be logged in to post a comment. The writer of this post, who is a Professional Engineer who does air quality testing, notes that testing shows it can take months for air quality to return to normal after painting. But he also tells of a home where he measured the air quality and after almost seven months there were still VOCs present.

His conclusion was that the VOCs still lingered because the house was built to be energy efficient and did not have mechanical ventilation. To me, this really shows that the construction of the building can make a BIG difference in how long it takes for paint to outgas. Less ventilation means less reduction of VOCs. More ventilation means faster outgassing. But the thing to remember is that the outgassing will continue until the paint or finish is completely CURED.

This allows you to apply the paint or finish to the surface. But it is not completely dry all the way through. At this point there should be no more outgassing. Contact Us. Sources of VOCs Household products, including: paints, paint strippers and other solvents wood preservatives aerosol sprays cleansers and disinfectants moth repellents and air fresheners stored fuels and automotive products hobby supplies dry-cleaned clothing pesticide Other products, including: building materials and furnishings office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers and photographic solutions.

Health Effects Health effects may include: 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, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include: conjunctival irritation nose and throat discomfort headache allergic skin reaction dyspnea declines in serum cholinesterase levels nausea emesis epistaxis fatigue dizziness The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect.

Among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics include: Eye and respiratory tract irritation headaches dizziness visual disorders and memory impairment At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes.

Meet or exceed any label precautions. Do not store opened containers of unused paints and similar materials within the school. Formaldehyde, one of the best known VOCs, is one of the few indoor air pollutants that can be readily measured. Identify, and if possible, remove the source. If not possible to remove, reduce exposure by using a sealant on all exposed surfaces of paneling and other furnishings. Use integrated pest management techniques to reduce the need for pesticides.

Use household products according to manufacturer's directions. Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products. Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon.

Keep out of reach of children and pets. Never mix household care products unless directed on the label. Follow label instructions carefully. Buy limited quantities. Keep exposure to benzene to a minimum. Benzene is a known human carcinogen.

The main indoor sources of this chemical are: environmental tobacco smoke stored fuels paint supplies automobile emissions in attached garages Actions that will reduce benzene exposure include: eliminating smoking within the home providing for maximum ventilation during painting discarding paint supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately Keep exposure to perchloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a minimum.

Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent. If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried. If goods with a chemical odor are returned to you on subsequent visits, try a different dry cleaner. Standards or Guidelines No federally enforceable standards have been set for VOCs in non-industrial settings.

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