VOCS or “volatile organic compounds” are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. VOCS can be found in everyday products like paint, varnish, paint stripping chemicals and adhesives. Although, commonly used for legitimate purposes, they are also used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Exposure to VOCS cause health problems, which vary according to the level of the VOC toxins that you have been exposed to and the length of your exposure. Product instructions and warnings about using VOCS should never be taken lightly.
Benzene and toluene are two VOCS that are often found in contaminated meth lab homes.
Benezene :
Acute exposure to high levels of benzene can produce central nervous system effects and death. At lower levels, mild central nervous effects may be experienced as having problems with concentration. More serious problems can include depression of the immune system, poisoning of bone marrow will leads to aplastic anemia, chromosomal changes, and cancer.
Toluene:
Chronic exposure to Toluene can cause spasms, tremors, imbalance, impairment of speech, hearing, vision, memory, coordination, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health ” While most people can smell high levels of some VOCs, other VOCs have no odor. Odor does not indicate the level of risk from inhalation of this group of chemicals. Breathing low levels of VOCs for long periods of time can increase some people’s risk of health problems.
Several studies suggest that exposure to VOCs may make symptoms worse in people who have asthma or are particularly sensitive to chemicals.” One study called the “Association of domestic exposure to volatile organic compounds with asthma in young children” found that VOCS, especially benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene presented a significant risk factors for asthma in children.
Short-term exposure to high levels of VOCS may include:
Eye, nose, and throat irritation. Headaches. Nausea and vomiting. Dizziness. Worsening of asthma symptoms. Confusion. Breathing difficulties.
Long term exposure (chronic) to high levels of VOCS includes increased health risks including:
Cancer, liver and kidney damage, and central nervous system damage.
Sources:
Chart: Mølhave L. Indoor air quality in relation to sensory irritation due to VOCs. ASHRAE Transaction. 1992.
EPA Technical Factsheets on Benzene and Toluene
Rumchev, J. Spickett, M. Bussara, M. Phillips, S. Stick, “Association of domestic exposure to volatile organic compounds with asthma in young children.” Thorax, 2004; 59; 746-751, doi: 10.1136/thx.2003.013680.
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