Sources of Indoor VOCs

VOCs are ubiquitous in indoor environments. They are widespread in house- 

While some common indoor VOCs originate exclusively from indoor sources, others have multiple indoor and outdoor sources. Consequently, the indoor level of a particular VOC is the summation of the contributions of its different indoor and outdoor sources. Various authors have undertaken comprehensive reviews of indoor VOC sources [5-9] and it is apparent from these reviews that the main sources of the typical indoor VOCs together with the major VOC chemical classes associated with the sources are as summarised in the following. 

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Similarly, Zhao, Little and Cox (2004) examined PUF as a sink and source of indoor VOCs by investigating its interaction with VOCs such as naphthalene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, styrene, p-xylene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene, toluene and benzene. The results suggest that the sorption of VOCs by PUF is fully reversible. Thus it is a potential sink and source of indoor VOCs. (More detailed discussion on VOC composition of building products can be found in Chapter 16.)... 

Tang et al. (2005) have reported significant levels ofVOCs in many supermarkets and department stores. In particular, the ratio of indoor to outdoor concentrations of 1-4 dichlorobenzene was as high as 39 in a store where leather products are used, 77.8 in a store that sells luxury fashion items and clothing, and 39 in a supermarket that sells household supplies. These observations demonstrate that consumer goods are potential sources of indoor VOC exposure. 

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