ABSTRACT
The limited data on indoor/outdoor concentration ratios of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in residences, offices, and schools show that for many compounds these ratios are greater, and in some cases much greater, than one. 1 - 4 Considerably more data are needed on indoor concentrations of VOC for anything more than rudimentary assessments of population exposures and chronic health risks, Acute health problems, principally mucous membrane irritation, in some buildings have also been postulated to result from elevated concentrations of VOC. The present paucity of data can be largely attributed to the difficulty and expense of analysis for a wide range of VOC. Qualitative and quantitative methods for VOC which are rapid, reliable, and relatively inexpensive are needed to survey a variety of buildings, to identify sources of potentially harmful compounds, and to evaluate the efficacy of mitigation strategies.
