VOC Health Effects

Health effects may include:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
• damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system
• Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

Key signs or symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs include:

• conjunctival irritation (eye irritation)
• nose and throat discomfort
• headache
• allergic skin reaction
• dyspnea (shortness of breath)
• declines in serum cholinesterase levels
• nausea
• emesis (vomiting)
• epistaxis (nosebleeds)
• fatigue
• dizziness

The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect.

As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics include:

• Eye and respiratory tract irritation
• headaches
• dizziness
• visual disorders and memory impairment

At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes.