Field investigations of VOCs in buildings and SVOCs address a variety of concerns

As a society, we spend on average about 90% of our time in buildings. Not surprisingly, there are many complaints about poor indoor air quality (IAQ). Annoying odors are one common complaint. Besides being unpleasant, such odors can adversely affect productivity. In many cases, odors are due to the presence of a VOC source that is discoverable through collection and analysis of air samples.

Building occupants also may experience a variety of more serious symptoms such as acute respiratory problems or CNS effects due to exposures to VOCs from indoor sources. Although the etiology of such symptoms often is not well established, detection of the presence of unusual compounds or measurement of elevated concentrations of specific compounds may suggest the need for further investigation or immediate action.

In addition, building occupants almost always are exposed to numerous VOC air contaminants at concentrations in excess of outdoor levels. We are mostly unaware of these exposures because concentrations are well below odor detection thresholds or levels that elicit acute effects. Nevertheless, these imperceptible exposures may present chronic health risks for cancer, reproductive effects, and other serious health endpoints. 

Exposures to semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) can occur by multiple pathways. SVOCs partition between the vapor phase and the condensed phase to varying degrees depends upon their vapor pressures. These compounds can adsorb onto surfaces in buildings and directly onto our clothing and skin. They also readily accumulate on dust particles. This ability to partition to particulate matter and surfaces leads to dermal exposures and ingestion exposures by hand-to-mouth transfer. Exposures to some SVOCs may result in serious health effects, with the very young being particularly susceptible to effects on the reproductive system.

Field investigations, properly designed and executed, provide a means of assessing potential risks associated with exposures to VOCs and SVOCs within an indoor environment.