Reducing The Harmful Effects Of VOC's In Our Homes

 

Reducing VOC's (volatile organic compounds) in our homes is not just beneficial for those with allergies. asthma and young children but for everyone. But knowing this and discovering where you can find them can be somewhat more challenging. That's why I thought I would share some of the information I found to make it easier to put all that knowledge to good use. 

So, most of us already know that VOC's are bad for us. They can cause everything from breathing problems, headaches, nausea and skin issues to kidney and central nervous system damage and even cancer, all depending om the amount and length of exposure. 

According to a bbc.com article titled, "Experts say most of our exposure to air pollution could occur indoors. What are the most effective ways to reduce indoor pollutants?   "Between early March and early May 2020, Airthings, a Norway-based manufacturer of smart air-quality monitors, analyzed data of their users in the US and Europe and found levels of carbon dioxide and airborne particles called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) increased by 15 to 30% in more than 1,000 homes across several European countries. Similarly, data collected by Dyson of its registered air purifiers in 11 cities over four continents, found levels of VOCs and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) had risen in people’s homes since lockdown."

Formaldehyde is probably one of the best known and most common VOC's, but VOC's can be found in everything from building supplies to some fabrics.  

Here's a brief  list of some of the places where you can find those VOC's:

- Wood stove, gas stove

- The use of kerosene, coal
- Gas cooking stoves
- Cooking (esp. frying and roasting)
- Candles, incense, air fresheners, added fragrances  (esp. plug-in and aerosol)
- Infiltration of vehicle exhaust and air pollution
- Smoking
- Flooring materials and other building materials (incl. carpet, cabinetry, fiberboard) 
- Home and wood furnishings textiles (incl. curtains, furniture)
- Glue, varnish, and paints
- Cleaning products, chemical dry cleaning (incl. laundry detergent)
- Some personal care products (incl. perfume, hair spray)

When you cook on a stove ventilation is important, and that's especially true with a gas stove. I've read multiple articles on the potential danger of VOC's from gas stoves. Research has found that gas stoves produce significantly more VOC's than electric and if they aren't functioning correctly can release even more carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and formaldehyde in to the home.

In particular a CBC article titled, "After seeing how gas stoves pollute homes, these researchers are ditching theirs". Scientists found that the "exposure to nitrogen oxides, produced when gas is burned, is linked to respiratory problems such as asthma and decreased lung function, especially in children." "...not only did levels of nitrogen oxide pollutants sometimes exceed Health Canada guidelines for a one-hour exposure, but the pollutants often lingered for a couple of hours." "Rob Jackson, professor of environmental sciences at Stanford University, co-authored a recent study that found gas stoves leak unexpectedly high levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, even when they're off — and they generate significant levels of indoor air pollution."

There are however many things you can do to reduce your exposure inside you home.

- When looking for new items like furniture or drapes, choosing natural fibers like sisal, cotton, or wool as they will most likely have much lower VOC content.
- Choose electric over gas stoves
- Chose low VOC paint, varnishes, adhesives, sealants.
- Choose Natural Cleaners.
- Chose a vacuum with high grade filters.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of scented products
- Non ionizing air purifiers
- When cooking on your stove try to remember to use ventilation (fan or open widow) as much as possible.
- Use proper ventilation when using appliances such as fireplaces, wood and gas stoves or using products like paint or adhesives. Whenever possible use high efficiency wood and gas stoves to reduce pollution levels.
- Make sure you have a good seal around all doors and windows especially those connecting the house to an attached garage. (To check your areas outdoor air quality visit, the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). You can find the BC index here.

If you're bringing any new furniture, carpeting, drapes or building material into your home increase the ventilation for at least a couple of weeks. This will help to reduce your exposure to the VOC's. Make sure to also store items like paint in a shed, garage or separate room that is well ventilated and safely dispose of any old products.

For more information on indoor air quality in Canada you can visit:

Health Canada - Air Quality www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality.html

HealthCanada - Volatile organic compounds www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds.html

The B.C. Lung Association - Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/air-quality

Sources:

healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/indoor-air-quality-volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds.html
canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/healthy-living/factsheet-cooking-and-indoor-air-quality.html
cbc.ca/news/science/gas-stoves-air-pollution-1.6394514
buildwithrise.com/stories/vocs-in-the-home

bbc.com/future/article/20200909-why-indoor-air-pollution-is-an-overlooked-problem  (Experts say most of our exposure to air pollution could occur indoors. What are the most effective ways to reduce indoor pollutants?  By Matthew Keegan9th September 2020)