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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOC) was initiated by Environment and Climate Change Canada at the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) Air Monitoring Station (AMS) 1 – Bertha Ganter, in Fort McKay, Alberta in October 2011. The VOC compounds that are currently being measured at AMS 1 are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m,p-xylenes, and o-xylene (BTEX).

All of the validated VOC maximum hourly concentrations are below the hourly Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs). The annual mean benzene concentrations are also below the annual AAAQO for benzene.

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in the indoor air of Canadian homes, some of which may pose a risk to human health at certain exposure concentrations. Health Canada has developed exposure limits for a small number of VOCs which were prioritized for full assessments because they are commonly found in Canadian homes and have the potential to cause adverse health effects. To assist public health professionals, including those involved in standards development processes, who may need to assess the possible risk from exposure to other VOCs potentially found in indoor air, Health Canada has developed screening values called Indoor Air Reference Levels (IARLs).

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in the indoor air of Canadian homes, some of which may pose a risk to human health at certain exposure concentrations. Health Canada has developed exposure limits for a small number of VOCs which were prioritized for full assessments because they are commonly found in Canadian homes and have the potential to cause adverse health effects.

Air contaminants are pollutants that are present in the air and can put your health at risk. Learn about the different indoor air contaminants.