KNOW WHAT YOU BREATHE - AN INTRODUCTION TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

know what you breathE - An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.

EPA's Office of Research and Development's "Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study" (Volumes I through IV, completed in 1985) found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. TEAM studies indicated that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.

Sources

Household products including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.

Health Effects

Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, 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, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, 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. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.

Search EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (a compilation of electronic reports on specific substances found in the environment and their potential to cause human health effects)

EPA's Office of Drinking Water regulations - List of Contaminants and Their MCLs: Organic Chemicals

Review information on VOCs in water sources developed by the U.S. Geology Survey's National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program and their Toxic Substances Hydrology Program: Toxic Program Research on VOCs

Levels in Homes

Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During and for several hours immediately after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times background outdoor levels.

Steps to Reduce Exposure

Increase ventilation when using products that emit VOCs. Meet or exceed any label precautions. Do not store opened containers of unused paints and similar materials within the school. Formaldehyde, one of the best known VOCs, is one of the few indoor air pollutants that can be readily measured. Identify, and if possible, remove the source. If not possible to remove, reduce exposure by using a sealant on all exposed surfaces of paneling and other furnishings. Use integrated pest management techniques to reduce the need for pesticides.

Use household products according to manufacturer's directions.

Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products.

Throw away unused or little-used containers safely; buy in quantities that you will use soon.

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.

Follow label instructions carefully.

Potentially hazardous products often have warnings aimed at reducing exposure of the user. For example, if a label says to use the product in a well-ventilated area, go outdoors or in areas equipped with an exhaust fan to use it. Otherwise, open up windows to provide the maximum amount of outdoor air possible.

Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals safely.

Because gases can leak even from closed containers, this single step could help lower concentrations of organic chemicals in your home. (Be sure that materials you decide to keep are stored not only in a well-ventilated area but are also safely out of reach of children.) Do not simply toss these unwanted products in the garbage can. Find out if your local government or any organization in your community sponsors special days for the collection of toxic household wastes. If such days are available, use them to dispose of the unwanted containers safely. If no such collection days are available, think about organizing one.

Buy limited quantities.

If you use products only occasionally or seasonally, such as paints, paint strippers, and kerosene for space heaters or gasoline for lawn mowers, buy only as much as you will use right away.

Keep exposure to emissions from products containing methylene chloride to a minimum.

Consumer products that contain methylene chloride include paint strippers, adhesive removers, and aerosol spray paints. Methylene chloride is known to cause cancer in animals. Also, methylene chloride is converted to carbon monoxide in the body and can cause symptoms associated with exposure to carbon monoxide. Carefully read the labels containing health hazard information and cautions on the proper use of these products. Use products that contain methylene chloride outdoors when possible; use indoors only if the area is well ventilated.

Keep exposure to benzene to a minimum.

Benzene is a known human carcinogen. The main indoor sources of this chemical are environmental tobacco smoke, stored fuels and paint supplies, and automobile emissions in attached garages. Actions that will reduce benzene exposure include eliminating smoking within the home, providing for maximum ventilation during painting, and discarding paint supplies and special fuels that will not be used immediately.

Keep exposure to perchloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials to a minimum.

Perchloroethylene is the chemical most widely used in dry cleaning. In laboratory studies, it has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Recent studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical both in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored and as they wear dry-cleaned clothing. Dry cleaners recapture the perchloroethylene during the dry-cleaning process so they can save money by re-using it, and they remove more of the chemical during the pressing and finishing processes. Some dry cleaners, however, do not remove as much perchloroethylene as possible all of the time. Taking steps to minimize your exposure to this chemical is prudent. If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried. If goods with a chemical odor are returned to you on subsequent visits, try a different dry cleaner.

Standards or Guidelines

No standards have been set for VOCs in non industrial settings. OSHA regulates formaldehyde, a specific VOC, as a carcinogen. OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of .75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5 ppm. HUD has established a level of .4 ppm for mobile homes. Based upon current information, it is advisable to mitigate formaldehyde that is present at levels higher than 0.1 ppm.

Additional Resources

Indoor Air Fact Sheet No. 4 (revised) - Sick Building Syndrome (PDF) (4 pp., 38 K, about PDF)
Explains the term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) and "building related illness" (BRI). Discusses causes of sick building syndrome, describes building investigation procedures, and provides general solutions for resolving the syndrome. 

Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals
Assists health professionals (especially the primary care physician) in diagnosis of patient symptoms that could be related to an indoor air pollution problem. Addresses the health problems that may be caused by contaminants encountered daily in the home and office. Organized according to pollutant or pollutant groups such as environmental tobacco smoke, VOCs, biological pollutants, and sick building syndrome, this booklet lists key signs and symptoms from exposure to these pollutants, provides a diagnostic checklist and quick reference summary, and includes suggestions for remedial action. Also includes references for information contained in each section. This booklet was coauthored with the American Lung Association, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Paints and Coatings (these resources are illustrative, not exhaustive)

"The Chemistry of Paint" Better Homes and Gardens, DIY Advice. www.diyadvice.com/diy/painting/paint/chemistry/

American Coatings Association
(formerly the National Paint and Coatings Association)
1500 Rhode Island Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 462-6272 / Fax: (202) 462-8549
Website: www.paint.org/index.htm

OSHA's Safety and Health topics page on Health Hazards in Nail Salons: The more than 375,000 nail technicians working in salons across the U.S. face possible health hazards every day. The hazards include exposure to chemicals from glues, polishes, removers, and other salon products; muscle strains from awkward positions or repetitive motions; and risk of infection from contact with client skin, nails, or blood. OSHA's Safety and Health topics page on Health Hazards in Nail Salons gives important information about these hazards and the steps that nail salon workers and employers can take to prevent injuries and illnesses.

Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting & Forensics (MECF)

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services

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Tenafly, NJ 07670-0520

Tel.: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440

E-mail: metroforensics@gmail.com

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FLAME RETARDANTS IN OUR BUILDINGS AND FURNITURE MAY ALSO RETARD LIFE - MORE STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS ARE NEEDED

FLAME RETARDANTS IN OUR BUILDINGS AND FURNITURE MAY ALSO RETARD LIFE - MORE STUDIES OF THE EFFECTS ARE NEEDED

The flame retardants used in foam insulation, children’s furniture and elsewhere, are a diverse group of chemicals that may cause a wide array of health problems.  Cancer, obesity, reduced fertility, and hormone disruption are just a few of the problems that have been linked to exposure to these flame retardants. And this list is likely to be incomplete. None of the chemicals used as flame retardants have been comprehensively tested and there are large gaps in our knowledge about the toxicity of these chemicals. 

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance’S product named: Closed or open cell, medium-density SPF insulation contains at least four (4) percent (or 40,000 ppm) of TCPP flame retardant.  There are studies that show that some of the TCDD is leaching inside our homes and other buildings where this flame retardant has been used.

Additional testing found four flame retardants (or flame retardant mixtures) in the children’s furniture. Details about health hazards associated with the flame retardants we found include the following: 

• Firemaster 550 caused obesity and disrupted normal hormone function in tests with laboratory animals and tests with living cells. 

• TCPP caused genetic damage in studies of human cells. In tests with laboratory animals, TCPP changed the length of the menstrual cycle. 

• TDCPP (chlorinated Tris) is identified as a cancer-causing chemical by the state of California and the U.S. National Research Council. In laboratory animals, it is toxic to developing embryos and also causes genetic damage in studies of human cells. In men attending infertility clinics, exposure to TDCPP was linked with changes in hormone levels. 

• Butylated Triphenyl Phosphate: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has summarized the limited toxicology testing done with this flame retardant mixture. Health concerns identified in the EPA summary include decreased fertility and abnormal menstrual cycles. 

Particularly concerning is the ability of these chemicals to disrupt the normal functions of our hormones. Hormones are chemical mes­sengers that work together in a system that “regulates all biological processes in the body from conception through adulthood and into old age.” Hormones are potent in tiny amounts, and research over the last several decades has shown, similarly, that “low-dose effects are remarkably common” in studies of hormone-disrupting chemicals.

CALIFORNIA LAW ADDRESSES FIRE RETARDANTS IN HOMES

In late 2013, a measure signed into law by California Gov. Jerry Brown will require state officials to review California's flammability standards for foam insulation, and may ultimately reduce the exposure of homeowners to two common flame retardants.

According to an article posted online at SFGate.com, the state fire marshal and the Building Standards Commission will review current flammability standards and consider whether flame retardants are necessary.

The law doesn't amount to an outright ban on the chemicals, but it could lead to a change in state building standards that "would discourage the use" of two potentially hazardous retardants, HBCD and TCPP, the report said.

The measure was supported by the U.S. Green Building Council, firefighters from around the state, and health advocacy grounds including the Natural Resources Defense Council, SFGate reported.

CONNECTICUT IS ALSO AMONG THE STATES CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FLAME RETARDANTS

We provide below the information that part of a proposed law in Connecticut to ban the use of flame retardants in children’s furniture after October 1, 2014.

 Facts and Recommendations on Chlorinated Tris 

5218, An Act Concerning Toxic Fire Retardants in Children’s Products. H.B. 5218 would ban the manufacturing, sale or distribution of any children’s products containing Tris flame retardants (TCEP, TDCPP and TCPP) in the State of Connecticut after October 1, 2014. This act would protect the health of children in Connecticut by further reducing their exposure to Tris flame retardants. 

Background

Tris flame retardants are a family of chemically similar flame retardants which include TDCPP, commonly known as chlorinated Tris, and similar chemicals known as TCEP, and TCPP. [1]. Tris flame retardants have been found in household dust and air as well as in water supplies [3]. Chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) is the most frequently detected of the Tris flame retardants and is used in many baby products and household furniture [1]. The chemical was banned from use in children’s clothing in 1977 after it was found by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to be a potential carcinogen in laboratory studies [1]. The chemical is still widely used in many baby products such as changing table pads, sleep positioners, portable mattresses, baby carriers, rocking chairs, high chairs and home furnishings. Due to its chemical makeup, chlorinated Tris escapes from the foam padding in these products and settles in household dust, thus exposing children and adults through inhalation or ingestion [3]. Children are especially prone to exposure through crawling or placing hands in their mouths.

In 2006, the Consumer Product and Safety Commission found that chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) poses a threat to human health, designating the chemical as a probable carcinogen [5]. No human studies have been conducted; however, animal studies have demonstrated multiple health effects such as increased incidence of liver, renal, testicular, and adrenal tumors after exposure to chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) [3]. Chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) has been shown to be a neurotoxin to brain cells in animal studies—animals exposed to chlorinated Tris were noted to have decreased memory, learning deficits, altered motor behavior and hyperactivity [4].

TCEP and TCPP are also Tris chemicals of concern. TCEP is used in foam padding and has been found in household dust and hospital air and has been found widely in surface water and streams [1]. Animal research also suggests that TCEP has the potential to negatively affect hormone levels and semen quality including sperm count, motility and morphology in humans [6]. It is classified as a carcinogen by California and a chemical of “very high concern” by the European Union [1,7,8]. Likewise, the Tris chemical TCPP, which has been used as a replacement for chlorinated Tris since the 1960s, is chemically similar to the other Tris chemicals, yet there is very little research on this chemical, and no research demonstrating its safety in children’s products [1]. TCPP is found widely in indoor dust and in the environment [1]. 

Each of the Tris flame retardants are used extensively in children’s products and home furniture with 10 to 50 million pounds each of chlorinated Tris and TCPP used in the United States each year [1]. The use of Tris flame retardants is legal and unrestricted in the United States although individual states are beginning to place bans on them. California has recognized chlorinated Tris (TDCPP) as a carcinogen and placed the chemical on its Proposition 65 list in 2011 [1, 8]. TCEP was identified as a substance of very high concern by the European Chemicals Agency in 2009 [7] while Canada has identified Tris flame retardants as a risk to human health in any dose and a ban on several Tris chemicals is currently being considered [11]. Maryland and Washington are also considering bans on the chemical during this legislative session and New York signed a ban into law in 2011. 

Recommendations

CPHA supports H.B. 5218, An Act Concerning Toxic Fire Retardants in Children’s Products. Scientific research shows that Tris flame retardants pose real health risks to humans and animals. Due to the routes of exposure to Tris flame retardants (ingestion, inhalation) children are more vulnerable to the toxic effects of the chemical. Other states and countries have recognized the toxicity of these chemicals and have taken steps to protect their citizens. With an absence of federal action on chemical reform, Connecticut needs to continue to be a leader in chemical reform and ban Tris flame retardants in consumer products. 

Prepared by Jennifer Allis-Vazquez, BSN RN CPTC, CPHA Advocacy Intern

February 29, 2012

For additional information on CPHA’s position on Tris flame retardants or other public health issues, please contact CPHA Advocacy Chair, Colleen O’Connor, at caoconnor24@hotmail.com or Noele Kidney, Project Coordinator at noelekidney@hotmail.com.

References:

1. Washington Toxics Coalition (2012). Hidden Hazards in the Nursery. Retrieved February 23, 2012 from http://watoxics.org/files/hidden-hazards-in-the-nursery.

2. Blum, Arlene (2011). Flame Retardants in Buildings, Toxicity, and Implications for Occupant Health. Retrieved January 11, 2012 from www.greensciencepolicy.org.

3. Faust, JB and August, LM, California Environmental Protection Agency (2011). Evidence on the Carcinogenity of Tris (1,3-Dichloro-2-Propyl) Phosphate. Retrieved January 11, 2012 from http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/hazard_ident/pdf_zip/TDCPP070811.pdf.

4. Dishaw LV, Powers CM, Ryde IT, Roberts SC, Seidler FJ, Slotkin TA, Stapleton HM. (2011). Is the PentaBDE Replacement, tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), a developmental neurotoxicant? Studies in PC12 cells. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.

5. Babich, MA (2006). CPSC Staff Preliminary Risk Assessment of Flame Retardant Chemicals in Upholstered Furniture Foam. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

6. Inchem (1998). United Nations Environmental Programme International Labour Organisation. World Health Organization: International Programme on Chemical Safety, Environmental Health Criteria 209 Flame Retardants: Tris (chloropropyl) phosphate and Tris-(2-chloroethyl) phosphate. Geneva.

7. European Chemicals Agency. 2009. Support Document for Identification of Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate as a Substance of Very High Concern because of its CMR Properties.

8. California Environmental Protection Agency. 2011. Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity. OEHHA. Retrieved from: www.oehha.ca.gov/prop65/prop65_list/files/P65single072911.pdf.

9. Shaw SD, Blum A, Weber R, Kannan K., Rich D, Lucas D, Koshland CP, Dobraca D, Hanson S, Birnbaum LS. 2010. Halogenated Flame Retardants: Do the Fire Safety Benefits Justify the Risks? Reviews on Environmental Health (25): 261-305.

10. Matthews, H. B., S. L. Eustis, et al. (1993). "Toxicity and carcinogenicity of chronic exposure to Tris(2-chloroethyl)phosphate." Fundam Appl Toxicol 20(4): 477-485.

11. Environment Canada (2009). Screening Assessment for the Challenge Ethanol, 2-chloro- phosphate (3:1) (Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate [TCEP]), Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 115-96-8. Retrieved from http://www.ec.gc.ca/ese-ees/default.asp?lang=En&xml=C378778A-D834-54E0-7F69-E6E2944A74FC.

Metropolitan Engineering, Consulting & Forensics (MECF)

Providing Competent, Expert and Objective Investigative Engineering and Consulting Services

P.O. Box 520

Tenafly, NJ 07670-0520

Tel.: (973) 897-8162

Fax: (973) 810-0440

E-mail: metroforensics@gmail.com

Web pages: https://sites.google.com/site/metropolitanforensics/

https://sites.google.com/site/metropolitanenvironmental/

https://sites.google.com/site/metroforensics3/

We are happy to announce the launch of our twitter account. Please make sure to follow us at @MetropForensics or @metroforensics

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