VOC's Perfumed Menace 1

Outline What are VOCs? Where do they come from? What health effects do VOCs cause? How can I tell if I have any? What limits are there? Sampling methods How can I control them? –Scent-free policies Conclusion 2

What are VOCs? Volatile organic compounds (From Oxford English Dictionary) Volatile - easily evaporated at normal temperatures Organic - relating to or denoting compounds containing carbon and chiefly or ultimately of biological origin Compounds - substance formed from two or more elements chemically united in fixed proportions 3

What are VOCs? Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature VOC exposures are often associated with an odor while other times there is no detectable odor. Both can be harmful. There are thousands of different VOCs produced and used in our daily lives. 4

What are they really? VOC’s are the odors and aromas that we smell all around us –Perfumes –Fragrances for soaps and shampoos –Hairspray –Deodorants –Scented candles, incense, potpourri –Cosmetics –Washroom deordorizer –Flowers, plants and trees 5

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What are they really? And ……….. –Smelly socks –My son’s sneakers –My dog after being out in the rain –Grandma’s pot roast –The can of “new car smell” that I bought –Bovine flatulence 7

Perfumes and Fragrances $ sales worldwide in

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Fragrance Chemicals Ingredients that Smell of Danger 90% of fragrances are synthetic chemical, with as many as 7000 VOCs Some of these masking scents are designed to cover up unpleasant or unwanted odours inherent in a product, but some work by deadening our ability to smell the offending odour. Of fragrance chemicals, “ 84% of these ingredients have never or only minimally been tested for human toxicity ” 10

Calvin Klein's Perfume “Eternity“ A Shortcut to Eternity? “Eternity” perfume has been known since 1995 as toxic to the respiratory tract and nervous system Analysis by two independent laboratories found of the 41 identified ingredients some had no toxicity data available, some were inadequate, and some were known to be toxic to the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and reproductive and nervous systems by routes including skin absorption and inhalation. Two ingredients were identified as carcinogens 11

Living in a Fragranced World No Scents in Labelling “ Unscented ”, “ Fragrance-Free ” “ Hypoallergenic ”, “ Natural ”, “ Green ” “ Floral ”, “ Outdoor Fresh ” and “ Environmentally Friendly ” are words that sound good but have no legal definition. They are used in industry virtually without restriction. Buyer beware. “ Scent-free ” may only mean that the product has less scent than a scented version of the same product from that manufacturer. 12

VOCs are also Emitted by Thousands of Products In our Workplaces paints, lacquers and strippers cleaning supplies pesticides building materials, carpeting and furnishings office equipment such as copiers and printers, especially new things correction fluids and carbonless copy paper graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers photographic solutions Fuel 13

Sources of Common VOCs AldehydesFloor materials, wood products (cabinets, desks, presswood), paints/coatings Toluene, xylene Floor materials, furniture, paints, glues AcetoneCosmetics, perfumes Methylene chloride Furniture, pesticide products, paint strippers ChloroformChlorinated water 14

Factor that influence the emissions of VOCs Total amount and volatility of VOCs Distribution of VOCs between the surface and the interior of material Time (age of material) Surface area of the material Environmental factors such as temperature, air exchange, and relative humidity (some more than others) Chemical reactions in the source (conversions in varnishes and adhesives) 15

Relative Volatility CompoundVapour pressure, kPa at 20°C Methylene chloride (paint stripper) 47.4 Formaldehyde (glues and resins)12.5 Toluene (oil-based paint)3.8 Xylene (oil-based paint)3.7 Perchloroethylene (dry cleaning fluid) 1.9 See International Chemical Safety Cards at 16

Relative Emission Rates ProductMaximum Emission Rate (ug/hour/m 2 ) Oil paints Ceiling tile Wood veneer Dry cleaning Water-based paint9 000 Photocopier7000 Carpet6 000 Floor wax

VOC Emissions Vs. Age (ug/hour/m 2 of total VOCs) Product1 Hour1 Day1 Week1 Month1 Year Adhesives400100< 100 Carpet Wood floor Oil-based paints Water-based paints

VOC distribution VOC exposure is mostly from indoor sources because: –VOCs are more concentrated indoors –People spend more time indoors 90 % –New buildings can have VOC concentrations 100 x outdoor concentrations VOCs are everywhere, even in the country –Many come from natural sources Decay Farm wastes Flowers, plants, trees 19

VOCs from Natural Sources Forests Grasslands Swamps Plants » SWEETGUM TREE 20

How VOCs Enter the Body? VOCs are present in gas or vapour so enter the body by breathing Drinking water, food, beverages containing high levels of VOCs may be harmful to human health 21

After VOCs Enter the Body Via Inhalation? Some are absorbed by the upper respiratory system Others, depending on the size and mass are able to reach deep into the lungs VOCs can be carried by the blood stream to a variety of organs ( liver, kidney) or systems (central nervous system and circulatory) depending on their chemical properties (solubility in blood. Volatility to escape blood and their ability to be broken down) 22

What are the health effects of VOC exposure? Acute –Eye irritation / watering –Nose irritation –Throat irritation –Headaches –Nausea / Vomiting –Dizziness –Asthma exacerbation Chronic –Cancer –Liver damage –Kidney damage –Central Nervous System damage 23

Common Carcinogenic VOCs Benzene Cigarette smoke Carbon black Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform Diesel/gasoline engine exhaust Formaldehyde Gasoline Methylene chloride Naphthalene Perchloroethylene PCB Styrene Toulene diisocyanate 24

So Do I Have VOCs? Quick answer – You do. VOCs are everywhere!!! So what is the real question??? –Do I have too much????? 25

Facts & Findings TVOC levels indoors are generally 10 to 100 times higher than outdoor levels. TVOC levels in new buildings and renovated indoor spaces are up to 30 mg/m 3 TVOC levels in non-complaint buildings range from 0.20 to 0.50 mg/m 3 26

Human Irritation Responses to TVOC Mixtures Concentration (mg/m 3 ) Health EffectResponse Exposure Definition <0.20no irritationcomfort irritation & discomfort Multiple symptoms Increase in health effects (headaches) discomfort >25additional neurotoxic effects toxic 27

Sampling for VOCs Organic Vapour Badges –Advantages Easy to use Lightweight Low capital cost –Disadvantages Lower accuracy Lower sensitivity Require longer sampling time 28

Sampling for VOCs Pumps and filters –Advantages Higher sensitivity Higher degree of accuracy Average sampling time –Disadvantages Higher capital cost Heavier weight for wearer 29

Sampling for VOCs Real-time Monitors –Advantages Monitoring for unlimited time Minute by minute reading Data can be logged into a computer Can be used as a tracking machine to find sources –Disadvantages Often only test for one chemical at a time Very expensive 30

Investigation Techniques General Screening Look for obvious or uncontrolled emissions –Changes or new things –Open containers, overused chemicals Use screening techniques to determine the potential sources that may require more sensitive and accurate evaluation or may require action –Collect screening samples using detector tubes or direct reading instruments. Based on screening results, validated sampling procedures may be required to further quantify employee exposures. 31

How Can I Get Rid of Them Scent Free Policies Chose products that contain low or no VOCs (Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) Follow Manufacturer’s instructions/don’t mix products Control climate – as temperature and humidity increase some chemicals will off gas more Air cleaners – look for ones with activated charcoal filtration designed to remove chemicals from the air. Remove unused chemicals. Only buy in quantities you will use soon Off gas products first Ventilation –More fresh air; open doors and windows –Local exhaust 32

Scent Free Policy Issues Scope –Probably include cosmetics, cleaners What about flowers, Christmas trees, spicy food? What about odours from outside? –Visitors? How will you tell them? Will you send them home? Enforcement –Will the policy be enforced? Alternatives –Are you sure there are alternatives to what is being banned? 33

Alternatives to a Scent-Free Policy? Identify the source of the problem. Reduce emissions from –building materials –cleaning products Ventilation –Ensure that air is being replaced with fresh air, and that scents are not simply being recycled throughout the building. If the source is an employee, try asking the person to wear a lighter scent, or less of it. –As a guideline no scent should be detectable at more than an arm's length from individual. 34

Conclusions VOCs are everywhere – can’t eliminate Aim is to control them Choose low VOC products and minimize how much is used Timing Storing (wearhouse- off gas) Time processes ( over weekend ) Ventilation 35