As you’re scrubbing away and sanitizing, it’s actually the smells associated with a clean house that can be more dangerous than germs.
The fresh scents of common household cleaners contain an assortment of chemicals that can produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are toxic gases. Organic chemicals with high vapor pressure, or low boiling point, evaporate at room temperature and quickly dissolve into the air.
According to the EPA, concentrations of VOCs are up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors and may lead to short- and long-term adverse health effects. The EPA’s Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) warns that people using products containing VOCs can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels which can linger in the air long after use.
The health effects of VOCs depend on the amount and length of exposure; however, people may experience immediate symptoms including:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Dizziness and fatigue
- Allergic skin reactions
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Visual disorders and memory impairment
It is important to maintain indoor air quality while any household product with chemicals as ingredients. To reduce exposure to harmful VOCs, increase ventilation when using those products. Opening windows and turning on fans will help provide fresh air and keep it circulating throughout your home. An air purifier with an activated carbon filter will help remove any odors and absorb toxic gases and VOCs.
MatrixAir offers a variety of air purification and filtration systems to adapt to any space and environmental demands. Its exclusive triple filtering system is at the heart of every unit to eliminate 99.97% of airborne contaminants as small as .3 microns.
To find the perfect air purification and filtration system for your unique space, call us at (603) 863-7553 or email [email protected].