ATLA::Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Volume 27, Number 3

Volatile organic compounds in Tartu office buildings.

ATLA 27, 413-415, May/June 1999

Argo Soon1 and Erkki Kähkönen2

1Department of Public Health, University of Tartu, Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia; 2Uusimaa Regional Institute, Work Environment Section, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Arinatie 3a, 00370 Helsinki, Finland

SUMMARY

The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted by many materials and activities are common indoor air pollutants. It is believed that VOCs might contribute to many adverse health effects, but there is scant evidence to support this. The difficulties involved in assessing the effects of VOCs involve both the chemistry of indoor air and the physiological responses in varying physical conditions. Inconsistent results of experimental studies and difficulties in performing longitudinal epidemiological studies have led to the conclusion that only higher concentrations (in the range of 1-25 mg/m3) of VOCs in indoor air should be considered to relate to higher health risks. This pilot study provides evidence that there is no such risk in Estonian offices.

Keywords: volatile organic compounds, risk assessment, office environment, Estonia