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Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. In addition, some can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.
A significant change in recent years is the way VOCs were viewed in LEED and WELL v2 was the shift from Total VOCs (TVOCs), which measured the total amount of VOCs in the air, to the individual VOC testing.
The driving factor behind this change was the understanding that not all VOCs pose an equal threat to human health and the ability to more accurately measure the presence of these compounds. Some VOCs are irritants, while some are carcinogenic. While previous health guidance identified a maximum measurement of the TVOCs in the air, the new trend is to identify limits for single compounds.
As we learn more about both the effects of individual VOCs, as well as how to accurately measure them, health guidance has moved to establishing limits for concentrations of individual compounds. For example, the limit for the allowable concentration of carbon tetrachloride is very low due to its high toxicity and health effects—including disruption of the central nervous system, kidney failure, liver degeneration and even death. This VOC is rarely used but had been found in fire extinguishers and cleaning agents. Meanwhile, a VOC like isopropyl alcohol—a common antiseptic that is much less harmful—has a far higher allowable limit than that of carbon tetrachloride and other dangerous VOCs.”
The approach of considering individual compound limits instead of TVOCs, coincides with both the leading public health advice (Californian District Public Health limits) and other building rating tools that consider VOCs (e.g. Air Testing Credit of LEED v4).
Altro floors, walls, and adhesives and tested to and comply with these standards. For more information you can ask for a copy of our HPD documents or FloorScore test certificates which explain this information in greater detail.
