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Volatile Organic Compounds and Resources to Protect Building Occupants in California

Indoor Air Quality Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	11/8/2024
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Volatile Organic Compounds and Resources to Protect Building Occupants in California
Introduction	LA Testing provides laboratory services, sampling supplies, and air monitoring instruments to identify and mitigate exposure risks to a wide range of airborne pollutants in homes, schools, and businesses.
Huntington Beach, California, November 8, 2024 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. They include a large group of chemicals that can be found in a number of products and materials used to build, furnish, clean, and maintain homes and buildings. VOCs can also be found in a number of personal care and consumer goods. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors, and they are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands, according to the EPA. These products can be in the form of liquids or solids. Possible health effects from exposure to VOCs shared by EPA include: Eye, nose, and throat irritation Headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system Some organics can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans EPA also lists key signs or symptoms associated with possible exposure to VOCs, they include: Conjunctival irritation Nose and throat discomfort Headache Allergic skin reaction Dyspnea Declines in serum cholinesterase levels Nausea Emesis Epistaxis Fatigue Dizziness “It’s also important to recognize that there are a number of occupations where workers could be exposed to elevated concentrations of VOCs on a daily basis,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “As with other airborne pollutants, the extent and nature of any health effect depends on many factors, including which VOC caused the exposure, the level of exposure, length of time exposed, and the individual.” To identify VOCs, LA Testing’s California laboratories offer analytical services, sampling supplies, and air monitoring instruments. If test results indicate the presence of high VOC concentrations, steps can then be implemented to reduce exposure risks. LA Testing also recently sponsored an educational video about VOCs and things building occupants should know which can be seen at: https://youtu.be/yOz1CD_3DSE To learn more about VOCs and indoor air quality testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.