Anand, SS; Mehendale, HM; Philip, BK
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemical compounds that evaporate easily at room temperature. VOCs are widely used at home and work, so exposure to airborne VOCs is unavoidable. Drinking water is also a common source of exposure due to industrial discharge and disinfection process. Organic compounds are chemicals that contain carbon and are found in all living things. They typically contain elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur, or nitrogen, which are mostly released from burning fuel such as gasoline, wood, coal, or natural gas. VOCs are also emitted from oil and gas fields and diesel exhaust. Additional sources of release are paints, glues, and other products that are used and stored at home and at work. VOCs when combined with nitrogen oxides react to form ground-level ozone, or smog, which contributes to climate change. Gasoline, benzene, formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, styrene, and perchloroethylene (or tetrachloroethylene used in dry cleaning) are also rich sources of VOCs. Irritation to skin and eye, sensitization, central nervous system effects, carcinogenicity, and liver and kidney effects have been reported in experimental animals and humans. Regulatory agencies use the results of these studies and set safe limits for each VOC that is considered safe for human exposure.