Volatile Organic Compounds

Hazards from exposure to volatile organic compounds

Organic solvents are a family of chemicals commonly used in commercial industries. The chemicals have a typical structure, containing at least one carbon atom and a hydrogen atom, low volatility, and all exist as liquids at room temperature. Organic solvents are especially useful in the industry because they are solvents for oils, fats, resins, rubber, and plastics.

Workers in industries using these materials may absorb long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents. This type of prolonged exposure (even at low concentrations) is called chronic exposure and can cause adverse health effects. Also, it is important to note that in the occupational exposure of this type, the worker is usually exposed to a mixture of several different solvents.

Workers who are at high risk are those who paint and manufacture paints, in the microelectronics industry, in the textile industry, in coating processes, laboratory workers, and more.

Assessing the rate and level of exposure to hard workers inhibited several factors. The level of exposure of the employee can also change in the same job and during the day. There are several routes of exposure, personal protective equipment is often used irregularly, and many solvents are usually found in mixtures.

Inhibition of the nature of the exposure, the occurrence of symptoms can occur in a prolonged and gradual manner and therefore difficult to attribute to exposure to chemicals. Symptoms known to chronic exposure to organic solvents include headaches, fatigue, sleep disorders, pain, dark senses, tingling, mood swings, and concentration disorders in learning ability. In more severe cases, irreversible damage to the intellect and memory functions was observed.

Laboratory experiments and observations linked acute exposure (high concentrations in a short time) to more severe neurotoxic disturbances. These include narcosis, anesthesia, central nervous system suppression, apnea, loss of consciousness and death.

The Solutions of VOC problem 

Engineering measures are among the various steps that can be taken to reduce exposure. The most appropriate engineering method is determined mainly by the nature of the process - whether it is a quantum or continuous process, the type of industry, chemical substances with explosion hazard, and emission permits are all significant factors.

Ventilation and Engineering have decades of experience in providing solutions for pollutants of this type. The company's engineers will be happy to provide you with advice, guidance, and solutions for any challenge and problem at no cost.

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