Environmental Public Health Division

Printer-friendly version of this document

ORGANIC VAPORS - Includes a variety of chemicals (ex. Formaldehyde, pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents, benzene)

Source:

• Common household products (cleaners, disinfectants, paints, paint strippers, hobby supplies, air fresheners, moth repellents)
• Wood preservatives
• Aerosol sprays
• Stored fuels and automotive products
• Dry cleaned clothing
• Carpet glue
• Particleboard furniture
• hardwood plywood paneling

 Health Effects:

• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Headaches, fatigue, nausea
• Loss of coordination, dizziness, memory impairment,
• Liver, kidney and central nervous system damage
• Cancer

Remediation:

• Remove the source of vapors
• Ventilate the area with fresh air
• Use household chemicals according to manufacturer’s directions
• Discard unused containers of chemicals in the proper manner
• Keep all chemicals out of reach of children
• Never mix household chemicals
• If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried
• To induce off-gassing, increase the room temperature for a period of time and then ventilate the area