Health Effects of Indoor VOCs and their Oxidation Products
Robert Laumbach
MD, MPH, CIH.
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may contribute to mucous membrane irritation and other symptoms of non-specific building related illness (a.k.a Sick Building Syndrome). In controlled human exposure studies, a mixture of 22 VOCs has been associated with irritation and nasal inflammation. Unsaturated VOCs and indoor ozone react to form particles, free-radicals, aldehydes, organic acids and other irritating compounds. This presentation will review literature on health effects of VOCs and their oxidation products, and discuss results from our recent human and animal studies investigating irritation and inflammation responses to these common, low-level indoor air pollutants.