Introduction
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have become the
greatest challenges to the preservation of the environment today. This group of
chemicals is used in almost every sphere of life from industries, government
institutions and domestically by both an ignorant and knowledgeable public
(Brookhaven National Laboratory 2008). This paper aims to put to light examples
of such compounds, look at the effect on the general populace and the
environment and outline possible remedies to negative impacts. At the same
time, it is important to look at how these compounds can be used or disposed in
a better way for a better environment for both man and nature, a program termed
as living green.
Definition
VOCs are the kind of chemicals that evaporate when
exposed to air, a process known as volatilization. The fact that these
chemicals contain carbon makes them organic substances (Brookhaven National
Laboratory 2008). According to Zogorski, these compounds may occur naturally or
as a result of human activity while others can result from both sources. It is
possible to isolate these compounds from a sample of water by purging a sample
with the inert gas helium. These compounds have a lower boiling point than
water and can be gaseous even at room temperature. They include propane,
formalhyde, benzene and gasoline products (US Department of Interior 2010).
The Distribution of VOCs in the Environment
For a long period of time, products containing VOCs have
been released into the air, in water and the ground. The compounds have found
way into the ground due to spillage, or when rain mixes with emissions from
factories and gasoline powered machines. Most of the VOCs get into the ground
through the hundreds of septic systems and cesspools. Due to lack of air in the
soils below, VOCs usually remain in the ground water,¬¬ since they cannot
volatize, until they naturally decay, dilute or biodegrade. While in the water
below, the compounds definitely flow into wells and rivers where they can be
easily consumed by man and animals (Brookhaven National Laboratory 2008).
There are thousands of home use products that contain
VOCs thus putting the user to risk. Such manufactured products include sprays,
rug and oven cleaners, paints, dry-cleaning fluids, office copiers and
printers, glues and adhesives, building materials and products used in
photography and home furnishings. Pesticides also contain VOCs (United States
Environmental Protection Agency 2010). This means that if there are 10 homes in
a neighborhood, each home with an average of 4 people, then all the 40 people
(100%) are at risk of being exposed to VOCs at one time or the other. The U.S,
with an estimated population of above 300 million, with its vast industrial
base contributes to large amounts of pollution. Untreated gases in the air and
industrial wastes in the soils and waters put the entire population at risk of
absorbing the compounds most of which are known carcinogens.
Vehicle emissions are thought to contain some of the
highest levels of VOCs. The estimated car ownership ratio in the U.S is one car
per two people. Over ¾ of the population thus own a car thus high rate of
emissions. However, the density of outdoor levels easily decreases than that of
compounds trapped in buildings. This is so because almost all the materials
used to put up a state of the art structure contains these highly poisonous
compounds. Such materials include paint, adhesives, wall boards, ceiling walls and
paint thinners. Thus the longer a person spends at such buildings, the more
exposed they become to the adverse effects of the VOCs. Particle boards used
for making furniture and carpets are manufactured using materials that contain
acetone, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde and benzene which are high VOCs. Other
materials that contain VOCs include marker pens, heavy metals that contain lead
and mercury (The Environmental Illness Resource 2011).
The list is in-exhaustive. There are many other
materials that contain the harmful compounds even though manufacturers have
marked them as safe for use. It is thus important for persons using
manufactured products to take extra precautions in the use of such products. It
is highly likely that most people will be exposed to one of the materials
containing VOCs due to how the compounds are spread in almost all products used
by man. That means one thing; almost everyone is at risk of being affected.
Effects of VOCs
VOCs have varied acute effects on man and the environment.
Products such as marker pens can have very adverse neurological effects on the
victim due to the high volume of the substances methyl ethyl ketone (MEK),
toluene, and formaldehyde evident in the strong smell when the markers are
being used. Toluene, which is a known carcinogen (causes cancer) can also be
found in a variety of products used while indoors such as sprays, laundry
cleaners and air fresheners (The Environmental Illness Resource 2011).
A study done by A J Venn and others published in 2003
titled “Effects of volatile organic compounds, damp, and other environmental
exposures in the home on wheezing illness in children” found out that the risk
of wheezing illness was significantly increased only in relation to damp (odds
ratio (OR) per increasing category = 1.32 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.00
to 1.75)), and was unrelated to the other exposures measured. Among cases,
formaldehyde and damp were associated with more frequent nocturnal symptoms (OR
per increasing quartile and category, respectively, 1.45 (1.06 to 1.98) and
1.97(1.10 to 3.53)), significantly more so in atopic cases, but there was no
effect of total volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, or cotinine.
The research team was seeking to determine the
independent effects of VOCs and other common environmental exposures in the
home on the risk and severity of persistent wheezing illness in children. They
used a methodology where the total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde,
nitrogen dioxide, damp (on a four category scale of % wood moisture
equivalent), and environmental tobacco smoke (from salivary cotinine) were
measured objectively in the homes of 193 children with persistent wheezing
illness and 223 controls aged 9–11 years in Nottingham, UK. The conclusion was
that domestic volatile organic compounds are not a major determinant of risk or
severity of childhood wheezing illness, though formaldehyde may increase
symptom severity. Indoor damp increases both the risk and severity of childhood
wheezing illness (Venn 2003).
Although the conclusion of the above study gives an
indication of little effect on the part of VOCs on the children, many
scientists have come up with conflicting conclusions in many cases. Health
effects of exposure at a lower level of these VOCs are not known. The health
advisory levels set by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a
maximum dose for a VOC to be considered a contaminant in water is that the
compound must produce a known toxic effect in experiments. This means that if
the effect is not known, then there will be no advisory and water will be
considered safe to drink. (Brookhaven National Laboratory 2008) Yet it is evident from the study mentioned
above that formaldehyde, a VOC, exacerbates conditions caused by other agents
although the compound might have been deemed to be in negligible amounts.
As the most industrialized country in the world, the U.S
has a vast majority of the population working in factories that use combustion
during production. The atmospheric pollutants that are a direct result of
combustion are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulfur dioxide
(SO2). CO when inhaled is known to have a high affinity in combining with the
hemoglobin resulting to carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) which adversely affects oxygen
circulation in the blood stream. Apart from charcoal, other indoor products
that emit CO are paint strippers when the Methyl chloride in them is
metabolized. CO poisoning symptoms include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea
and vomiting, cognitive impairment, and tachycardia. Retinal hemorrhage and
when over exposed, the patient will die due to lack of oxygen. Exposure to CO
for a time of up to 60 minutes can result to up to 13% of COHb in the
bloodstream. The effects of COHb in relation to percentage in the blood stream
are well captured in the table below (United States Environmental Protection
Agency 2010).
Carboxyhemoglobin
(COHb)
(%
COHb in blood)
|
Levels
and Related Health Effects
(Effects
Associated with this COHb Level)
|
80
|
Death
|
60
|
Loss of consciousness; death if exposure continues
|
40
|
Confusion; collapse on exercise
|
30
|
Headache; fatigue; impaired judgment
|
7-20
|
statistically significant decreased maximal oxygen consumption during
strenuous exercise in healthy young men
|
5-17
|
Statistically significant diminution of visual perception, manual
dexterity, ability to learn, or performance in complex sensorimotor tasks
(such as driving)
|
5-5.5
|
Statistically significant decreased maximal oxygen consumption and
exercise time during strenuous exercise in young healthy men
|
Below 5
|
No statistically significant vigilance decrements after exposure to COb
|
2.9-4.5
|
statistically significant decreased exercise capacity (i.e., shortened
duration of exercise before onset of pain) in patients with angina pectoris
and increased duration of angina attacks
|
2.3-4.3
|
statistically significant decreased (about 3-7%) work time to
exhaustion in exercising healthy men
|
Source: a U.S. EPA (1979); b U.S. EPA (1985)
Researchers all around the globe are busy and suspect
that some disabilities, childhood asthma and many other illnesses are a direct
result of contamination by VOCs though the long time effect of these compounds
is yet to be conclusively established. Persons who spend a lot of time in some
particular buildings tend to show symptoms such as itchiness, skin rashes,
fatigue and nasal allergies, a conditioned known as the “sick building
syndrome”(SBS). These symptoms are most of the time evident in a group that
occupies that particular building and is believed to be a result of the VOCs
used in the construction. Since SBS was first diagnosed in the 1970, statistics
regarding the prevalence of the problem are limited. A World Health
Organization (WHO) report from 1984 suggested that up to 30% of new and
renovated buildings worldwide may generate excessive complaints related to
indoor air quality (1). This high rate may be associated with modern mass
produced construction materials that tend to off-gas irritating volatile
organic chemicals (VOCs). In a US report, of office workers questioned at
random, 24% reported air quality problems in their work place, and 20% believed
this harmed their ability to do their job effectively (2) (The Environmental
Illness Resource 2011).
Looking at the above mentioned situations, it is evident
that everywhere one goes; there is at least a certain amount of exposure to the
VOCs. It is important to assume that the level of contamination increases in an
individual’s blood stream with each instance of exposure. It will be hard to
statistically prove the percentage amount of contamination in every person but
the level might be significant. The situation becomes more precarious with the
advent of nuclear energy. Exposure to VOCs due to use of nuclear energy not
only in the U.S but around the globe especially in the fast developing nations
such as India, China and Brazil puts the whole world population of about 6
billion people (100%) at risk.
Managing VOCs and their Effects by Going
Green
“Green Power” is
defined by the National Association of Attorney Generals [NAAG] as the use of
replenishable or sustainable fuel sources in the generation and transmission of
electricity and the disposal of spent fuels. These releases into the
environment would not create harmful substances and would pose no significant
concern to the ecosystem and to land use (Environmental Planning and Management
pg 2).
Many multinational companies are now embracing
production methods that would increase safety of the citizen and the
environment. The environmental burden is a major corporate responsibility
component for any company that stakes its future on the stakeholders who
directly rely on a healthy environment for survival. While many nations have
put in place laws that ensure regard for the environment when establishing
industries and business ventures, the challenge remains affecting these laws
especially when dealing with unscrupulous business people who only see the
monetary profits. Remanufacturing can also help manage the environment as it
reduces the amount of toxic waste disposed. This has been proved by programs
undertaken by Kodak and Xerox to recycle their products (Environmental Planning
and Management pg 1)
The production of paint in the U.S has taken lead in
ensuring that only zero-VOC products find way into the markets. The energy
industry has also made strides in ensuring that the disposal of spent fuels
does not have adverse effects on the environment and the users while making
every effort to use renewable energy. This trend has been reciprocated by the
consumer. According to a study by Yanklovich Clancy Schulman, 78% of people are
“influenced greatly” to buy products that make environmental claims. The
Organic Trading Association notes that products with the word “organic” have
34% sell-through rate compared to conventional products. Furthermore, the rate
of growth of natural or organic food has been steady at 18-25% while
conventional foods remain flat at 3-4%. The demand for organic products has
also affected the clothing industry where the current trend calls for the use
of organic cotton(Environmental Planning Management pg4)
Looking at the effects of gasoline combustion,
statistics from EPA show that an estimated over 300 metric tons of carbon are
emitted by cars and light trucks in the U.S each hear. This amount constitutes
more than a third of all other sources of emission. Sulphur oxides and lead
result to acidic rains that have acute effects on the environment. Thus the
focus on the production of hybrid cars that would limit the burning of fossil fuel
should be appreciated. The idea of encouraging people to use mass transit
should also be embraced by all (Environmental Planning Management pg11).
It is possible to reduce emissions from cars by over 50%
if collective responsibility is embraced. However, to curb the problem of VOCs
which has already spilled out of hand, it’s important that populations be made
aware of these compounds and the effects they can have on health and the
environment. Protecting people from intense exposure and at the same time
trying to clean up possible contaminated areas will go a long way in
rejuvenating our environment (Brookhaven National Laboratory 2008).
Since it is a problem that affects the whole world, all
nations need to have input in these efforts by enforcing laws that regard
environmental conservation. But the most developed nations especially the U.S
will have to take the lead role.
Works Cited
Environmental
Planning and Management. 2003. Web. 9 May 2011. http://www.worldscibooks.com/etextbook/p460/p460_chap01.pdf
Esposito,
Charles. The evolution of low- and zero-VOC paint. 2001. 9 May 2011. http://www.coatingsworld.com/May041.htm
“Indoor Air Pollution; An Introduction for
Health Professionals.”04 November 2010. United States Environmental Protection
Agency. 9 May 2011. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html
U.S
Department of the Interior. Volatile
organic Compounds (VOCs). 4 June 2010. U.S
Geological Survey. 8 May 2011
http://toxics.usgs.gov/definitions/vocs.html
Venn
A J, et al. Asthma and the Environment:
Effects of volatile organic compounds, damp, and other environmental exposures
in the home on wheezing illness in children. November 2003. Web. 9 May
2011. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1746513/pdf/v058p00955.pdf
“Volatile
Organic Compounds: Historical Use Leads to Water Concerns”. 2008. Broookhaven National
Laboratoy. 9 May 2011.
http://www.bnl.gov/erd/cleanupdate/vol3no2/vocs32.html
“What
is Sick Building Syndrome.”19 March 2011. The Environmental Illness Resource. 9
May 2011.
http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-conditions/sick-building-syndrome-%28sbs%29/
“What
Type of Materials are High VOCs.” 2011. Conjecture corporation. 9 May 2011 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-types-of-materials-are-high-voc.htm
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