@misc{22390,
  author = {Alfred T Hodgson and Hal Levin},
  title = {Classification of measured indoor volatile organic compounds based on noncancer  health and comfort considerations},
  abstract = {<p>Building occupants are exposed to complex mixtures of air pollutants including many volatile organic  compounds (VOCs). A recent review summarized the central tendency and upper limit indoor VOC  concentrations measured in North American residences and office buildings since 1990. Although this  database is limited in many respects, it serves as a useful starting point for evaluating the potential health  and comfort effects of indoor VOC exposures. Excluding cancer and birth defects, the primary concern is  chronic inhalation exposure to toxicants that can cause serious health problems. Additionally, building  occupants react to the quality of indoor air through their sensory perceptions and frequently experience  unpleasant odors and irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract. In this paper, we conduct a simple  screening-level assessment of indoor VOC concentrations. We compare measured VOC concentrations to  published odor thresholds, sensory irritation levels derived for the general population, and noncancer  chronic health guidelines. Hazard quotients are individually calculated for these three effects by dividing  maximum or derived 95th percentile VOC concentrations by our selected best estimates of guidance levels  for the general population. These results provide a basis for broadly classifying commonly encountered  VOCs into groups according to the likelihood that they will produce effects among building occupants.  This methodology shows that only a small number of the more than 100 reported VOCs exceed levels that  are likely to be of concern with respect to the health and comfort endpoints considered. Although data is  lacking for a number of odorous compounds potentially present in buildings, the results indicate that  carboxylic acids, higher molecular weight aldehydes and less volatile aromatic hydrocarbons are most  likely to be perceived by olfaction and that there is more probability of detection in residences than in  offices. Sensory irritation levels were approached or exceed by only a very small number of relatively  potent, reactive VOCs. Of these, acrolein was by far the most potent irritant. Although more detailed  consideration of the underlying toxicological data is needed, the results suggest that only a small number of  commonly measured VOCs, when considered singly, are likely to produce serious irreversible health  effects not associated with cancer. These compounds include lower molecular weight aldehydes, and  several aromatic hydrocarbons. Again, acrolein stands out as the most potent compound. Based on these  results, we recommend that studies to characterize indoor VOC concentrations and exposures focus their  resources on compounds that are most likely to impact occupants as determined by the study objectives.  For a very few compounds, such as acrolein and formaldehyde, the evidence based on sensory irritation and  chronic toxicity appears sufficient to warrant efforts to reduce and control sources of these compounds in  buildings.</p>},
  year = {2003},
  language = {eng},
}