February 2024

Exposure to elevated levels of VOCs can cause health concerns. Unfortunately, concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Possible health effects from exposure to VOCs shared by the agency include:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
• Damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system
• Some organics can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans

“Potential signs and symptoms associated with exposure to VOCs listed by EPA include conjunctival irritation, nose and throat discomfort, headache, allergic skin reaction, dyspnea, declines in serum cholinesterase levels, nausea, emesis, epistaxis, fatigue and dizziness,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “There are also a number of occupations that put workers at risk of being exposed to high levels of these chemicals in the air they breathe on the job. This is why the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and Cal/OSHA have developed permissible exposure limits (PELs) for so many of them.”

To protect building occupants and workers, CSC offers consulting and testing services to detect and mitigate exposure to elevated levels of VOCs and other airborne pollutants. If concerning levels are detected, their building science and industrial hygiene professionals can provide the expertise to eliminate exposure hazards. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about VOCs in the built environment that can be seen below: 

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please:

Aspergillus Infection Risks in Hospitals, Homes and Buildings

Aspergillosis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by a fungal pathogen known as Aspergillus. It is a common type of mold found outdoors and in indoor environments. It can be found at excessive concentrations indoors when buildings suffer water damage or elevated humidity levels.

Fortunately, most healthy people breathe Aspergillus spores without infection concerns. However, some species are known to be a serious infection risk for individuals with comorbidities such as weakened immune systems or lung disease.

Of the approximately 180 species of Aspergillus, fewer than 40 of them are known to cause infections in humans according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency lists Aspergillus fumigatus as the most common cause of human infections. Some of the other infectious species include A. flavus, A. terreus, A. nidulans, A. niger and A. versicolor. Exposure typically occurs through inhalation, although occasional outbreaks of cutaneous infection have been traced to contaminated biomedical devices.

Various types of aspergillosis include:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
• Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus
• Aspergilloma
• Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
• Cutaneous aspergillosis

“Overexposure to molds can increase health risks for building occupants. Places such as hospitals, nursing homes and other built environments with patients, residents or other occupants with an elevated risk of developing aspergillosis need to be especially aware of indoor mold growth as it can increase exposure to Aspergillus and other molds above ambient concentrations,” said Derrick A. Denis, Disaster Ready Emergency Preparedness and Infection Control (DR EPIC) Program Industrial Hygienist and Senior Vice President for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) due to Aspergillus are also associated with exposure to dust from building renovations and construction. Like many other types of mold, Aspergillus can also act as an allergen, respiratory irritant and even an asthma trigger for some people.”

Since airborne and settled Aspergillus is common across the globe at background concentrations in both indoor and outdoor environments, it takes an experienced industrial hygienist or infection control professional to properly assess indoor conditions. To help in this effort, the experts at CSC are dedicated to identifying and mitigating indoor exposure risks to Aspergillus and other microbial pathogens. CSC even sponsored an educational video about aspergillosis and Aspergillus that can be seen below:

To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, building science, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.