How long do VOCs stay in body?

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asked Nov 23, 2023 in Other-Environment by 1000facts (1,940 points)
How long do VOCs stay in body?

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answered 11 hours ago by Jacracksmeup (3,660 points)
VOCs stay in your body for a few hours or days although some VOCs may stay in the body a bit longer.

With proper ventilation it can help prevent further exposure to VOCs.

Some VOCs can also be stored in your fatty tissue and released slowly, which prolongs exposure to the VOCs.

VOCs or volatile organic compounds can be absorbed through your skin although your skin's outermost layer which is the stratum corneum acts as a barrier, the VOCs still have the ability to penetrate and enter your bloodstream.

The extend of the VOCs into your skin and bloodstream will depend on the concentration, the duration of exposure to VOCs and the type of skin.

VOCs can also cause allergies in some people and breathing in VOCs can also lead to allergic reactions and worsen existing allergies.

Certain VOCs such as benzene and formaldehyde can also act as sensitizers and trigger allergic responses in certain people and because VOCs can irritate your respiratory tract it can worsen asthma and other allergic systems.

The reason why VOCs cause headaches is because VOCs when breathed in can irritate your respiratory system and central nervous system which leads to headaches and dizziness.

And some types of VOCs such as methylene chloride can also be converted to carbon monoxide in your body and make these symptoms worse.

VOCs can also lead to neuroinflammation and trigger or worsen headache disorders.

VOCs or volatile organic compounds are chemicals which can vaporize at room temperature and are also emitted from lots of everyday products around us.

Prolonged or high levels of exposure to VOCs can cause damage to your central nervous system which include your brain and spinal cord along with other organs such as your liver and kidneys.

And while many types of VOCs are known to cause several different health issues, some VOCs such as methylene chloride can be more damaging and particularly damaging to your central nervous system.

Methylene chloride can be found in paint strippers, aerosol sprays and adhesives and it can be converted to carbon monoxide in your body and cause severe symptoms which include dizziness, headaches and even in some cases brain damage that is irreversible.

Along with direct brain damage, exposure to VOCs can also cause cognitive problems such as vision issues and memory issues as well as other neurological symptoms such as loss of coordination, headaches and dizziness.

Breathing in VOCs can cause health effects such as breathing difficulties, throat, nose and eye irritation, dizziness, headaches and even possible liver damage and kidney dangers and central nervous system damage.

Long term exposure to VOCs can cause damage to your kidneys, liver and even central nervous system and some types of VOCs also are linked to and can cause cancer.

Often short term exposure to VOCs often cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and throat irritation and eye irritation.

VOCs are volatile organic compounds and many of these VOCs are harmful to human health and can cause a variety of different health effects to the human body.

Some of the health effects that VOCs can cause are irritation of the throat, nose and eyes as well as headaches, dizziness and even possible damage to your liver, kidneys and even your central nervous system.

Some VOCs also are suspected or even proven carcinogens which makes these types of VOCs even more harmful to human health.

The effects from VOCs occur in humans when these VOCs also known as volatile organic compounds are breathed in.

Us humans breathe in many different VOCs and are not often aware of it.

Common sources of VOCs or volatile organic compounds include coatings and paints, cleaning products, personal care products, household furnishings and building materials.

Also combustion sources like vehicle exhaust and natural sources like decaying organic matter can also lead to the release of VOCs in the air that are breathed in.

Paints, stains, varnishes and other coatings also contain solvents and pigments which release VOCs into the air.

And many cleaning products which include disinfectants, air fresheners and detergents also contain VOCs which help with cleaning, setting a scent and deodorizing.

And personal care products like hairspray, perfumes, nail polish remover and nail polish also contain VOCs solvent and fragrance purposes.

And even household furnishings including carpets, new furniture some countertops and cabinets and composite wood products can also release VOCs as they get older and age and off gas the VOCs.

And wood preservatives, sealants and adhesives that are used in construction can also lead to emissions of VOCs.

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