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Ecosystem Sites, Volatile Organic Compounds – Preliminary Data, Oil Sands Region
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) data are currently collected by Environment and Climate Change Canada at a Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) Air Monitoring Station (AMS). As of September 27, 2017, raw, hourly averaged, near real-time VOC data from the oil sands region are available for WBEA AMS 25 – Waskow Ohci Pimatisiwin, located in Fort McKay, Alberta. Prior to this date, this instrument was measuring VOCs at WBEA AMS 1 – Bertha Ganter, also located in Fort McKay, Alberta. The VOCs that are currently being measured at AMS 25 are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylenes, o-xylene, styrene, n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, 2-methylpentane, and methylcyclohexane.

As part of a residential indoor air quality study, Health Canada and Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region collected 24-hour and 5-day indoor and outdoor exposure samples for 194 polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For the Regina Indoor Air Quality Study, a total of 146 homes in Regina, Saskatchewan participated in one or both of two 10-week sampling sessions in the winter and summer of 2007.

This data presents summary 24-hour and 5-day VOC statistics obtained from the study and is intended to provide relevant Canadian information on exposure to VOCs found indoors and outdoors. In addition, due to the different VOC signature produced by environmental tobacco smoke, the indoor VOC results are presented separately for homes with and without smokers.

A residential indoor air quality study was conducted by Health Canada in 2010. A range of air parameters typically found in and around residences was measured for seven consecutive 24-hour periods in 50 homes during the winter and summer seasons, with 26 homes participating in both seasons. Among the different pollutants measured, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected using Summa™ canisters. The sample canisters were analyzed for 193 polar and non-polar VOCs.This report presents a summary of the 24-hour VOC statistics (per season) obtained as part of this study and is intended to provide relevant Canadian information on exposure to VOCs found indoors and outdoors within non-smoking residences.

Short-term exposure to high levels of some Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) can cause breathing problems and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and headaches.

A residential indoor air quality study was conducted by Health Canada in 2014, in collaboration with the National Research Council Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario. A range of air parameters typically found in and around residences and their attached garages was measured for four 48-hour periods over two weeks during the winter. Among the different pollutants measured, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected using Summa™ canisters. The sample canisters were analyzed for 193 polar and non-polar VOCs.

A residential indoor air quality study was conducted by Health Canada in 2009 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A range of air parameters typically found in and around residences was measured for seven consecutive 24-hour periods in 50 homes during the winter and summer seasons, with 42 homes participating in both seasons. Among the different pollutants measured, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected using Summa canisters. The sample canisters were analyzed for 193 polar and non-polar VOCs.

A cross-over study was conducted among 42 healthy adults during summer 2010 in Ottawa, Canada. Participants cycled for 1-hour along high and low-traffic routes and volatile organic compound (VOC) exposures were determined along each route.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of chemicals characterized by a high vapour pressure, as they are emitted in the form of a gas from solids or liquids at ordinary room temperatures.Footnote1 They are ubiquitous since they are found in both ambient and indoor air.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of chemicals characterized by a high vapour pressure, as they are emitted in the form of a gas from solids or liquids at ordinary room temperatures. They are ubiquitous since they are found in both ambient and indoor air.

Health Canada and the University of Windsor collected 24-hour personal, indoor, and outdoor exposure samples for 188 polar and non-polar volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A total of 100 study participants in Windsor, Ontario were followed over two 1-year periods. Sampling took place in 8-week winter and summer periods of 2005 and 2006. In 2005, five consecutive 24-hour VOC sampling measurements were obtained to represent indoor, outdoor, and personal exposure levels.