Around the home
A large group of chemicals used around the home is volatile organic compounds (VOCs), often referred to as solvents.
VOCs are used to dissolve fragrance and chemical ingredients in detergents, cleaning products, paints, lacquers, air fresheners, insect repellents, aerosol sprays, and dry-cleaning fluids.
VOCs are quite hard to avoid entirely because they evaporate easily, affecting indoor air quality and are easily inhaled.
Acrylic and polyester fibres
Acrylic and polyester fibres are a potential source of VOCs. Acrylonitrile is a key chemical used to manufacture the fibres used in clothing, soft furnishings, and carpets. It’s also in the manufacture of plastics, resins, and rubber. Acrylonitrile is a VOC, so it can be released from fibres into ambient indoor air in a process known as offgassing. You’ll see it settling as dust, but these microplastic particles can also be inhaled and ingested.
Home renovations
Home renovations can expose us to derivatives of vinyl chloride and PVC – you’ll recognise it as that ‘new plastic smell’. These chemicals are used to manufacture anything from windows to glues and wiring. Vinyl chloride is also a VOC which can release from its source into ambient air inside your home. Heat speeds this process up, so when electronic wiring warms up in use it is a potential source of VOC exposure.
PFAS
The final group of chemicals widely used in products for the home is a vast group of chemicals called Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). They are used to provide water and stain resistance in clothing, cookware, electronics, and soft furnishings. They are quite hard to avoid because of their extensive use. They are difficult to detect in the body due to their complex chemical structure, so we currently are unable to screen for PFAS exposure.
Our test can detect recent exposure to indoor sources of 7 types of VOCs.
We can test your exposure to these chemicals