Volatile Organic Compounds Emission from Building Sector and Its Adverse Effects on Human Health

Abstract

The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building sector include aliphatic hydrocarbons, halo-hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons. The recent research findings conducted in the non-residential indoor environments have demonstrated that the concentration of indoor VOC often exceeds the outdoor concentrations. The recent evidence insinuates that the significant amount of VOCs can clearly have both acute and chronic adverse effects on human well-being including cardiovascular and nervous system, increased mortality, etc., and may even cause cancer. Furthermore, VOCs have a significant effect in “sick building syndrome” reported by the WHO. Volatile organic compounds generally occur as liquids or as vapours at normal room temperature but may also exist in solid form such as bathroom deodorants, dichlorobenzene, naphthalene, and para-mothballs. Due to the presence of plenty of VOCs it is not practicable to handle all the compounds and their toxicity. It is evident that while hundreds of VOCs may exist in any type of environment, the substantial health effects of the exposure of VOCs are yet to be identified. Thus to improve the air quality of the indoor building environment it is mandatory to expertise the better understanding of the mechanism and basic characteristics of VOC generation from the building sectors and construction materials.