Indoor Air Quality, 3rd Edition

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Volatile Organic Compounds

In 1995, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reported that 17 percent of all its indoor air quality surveys had identified volatile organics as either the cause of or a contributor to indoor air quality complaints. Many office spaces have residual organic components in the air from construction, renovation, maintenance, janitorial, chemical usage/processing (e.g., spray painting associated with marketing projects), and pest control activities. There is also off-gassing from new furnishings, building materials, and office supplies/equipment. Some of the organics may originate from the growth of microbes. Tobacco smoke, deodorants, and perfumes contribute to the total organic loading.