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Studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.
No standards have been set for VOCs in non industrial settings. OSHA regulates formaldehyde, a specific VOC, as a carcinogen. OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of .75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5 ppm. HUD has established a level of .4 ppm for mobile homes. Based upon current information, it is advisable to mitigate formaldehyde that is present at levels higher than 0.1 ppm.
The total VOC action levels proposed by URS are apparently intended to protect workers, but are well above occupational exposure guidelines for benzene. For benzene, the ACGIH time-weighted average (TWA) for benzene is 0.5 ppm, the NIOSH TWA is 0.1 ppm, and the OSHA TWA is 1.0 ppm.
Furthermore, the ACGIH 15 minute short-term exposure limit for benzene is 2.5 ppm
Originally posted by dragnet53
Jeez, by July this oil spill will be atrocious. it will be even worse when hurricane season starts. Now see why we should have other alternate fuel sources than oil? This Bs wouldn't have happened. But the oil companies back in the 70's stopped the water car from happening. Karma biting them in the ass.
Originally posted by Chadwickus
Why are you quoting formaldehyde levels and saying it's bezene?
Also, the figures are of the total VOC's collected, can you provide a breakdown of all Volatile Organic Compounds collected in the samples you're talking about?
Originally posted by Chadwickus
reply to post by OurskiesRpoisoned
No, you showed graphs showing VOC's.
That is all.
You've made a leap of logic by saying it's benzene.
Where in your sources does it say that benzene was even collected, and at the levels that you say they are at?
Concerns over the health effects of the spill grew this week as more workers and residents of the coastal areas reported symptoms such as headaches and breathing problems. So far, about 60 exposure-related complaints have been filed with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
EPA's air monitoring conducted through June 3, 2010, has found that air quality levels for ozone and particulates are normal on the Gulf coastline for this time of year.
EPA has observed odor-causing pollutants associated with petroleum products along the coastline at low levels. Some of these chemicals may cause short-lived effects like headache, eye, nose and throat irritation, or nausea. People may be able to smell some of these chemicals at levels well below those that would cause short-term health problems.
Originally posted by Chadwickus
reply to post by OurskiesRpoisoned
I'd call it fear mongering myself..but I digress...
So basically, what you're saying here is that the EPA is unreliable and isn't telling us that the air quality near the gulf is actually toxic.
Yet they have set up a page specifically for monitoring the air around the oil spill area...
There are also these two pages that are of use:
gulfcoast.airnowtech.org...
www.airnow.gov...
There are a couple of isolated areas that are high, but if you look at the second link, more specifically, Los Angeles, you'll see that the air quality in the Gulf is still quite good.
I also note the this notice which is posted at the top of the gulf air monitoring page:
EPA's air monitoring conducted through June 3, 2010, has found that air quality levels for ozone and particulates are normal on the Gulf coastline for this time of year.
EPA has observed odor-causing pollutants associated with petroleum products along the coastline at low levels. Some of these chemicals may cause short-lived effects like headache, eye, nose and throat irritation, or nausea. People may be able to smell some of these chemicals at levels well below those that would cause short-term health problems.
Originally posted by nixie_nox
Yes, oil releases VOCs.Which are BAD, to put it in a nutshell. I was watching a news segment last night and some shore business owners were complaining about the smell.
The health and environmental consequences from this are going to be felt for decades.
# “Gas Station-Like” Odor
* If you smell a ‘gas station’ like odor – the odor you might smell while filling up your car – it may be volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
* The key toxic VOCs in most oils are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.
* Exposure to low levels of VOCs may cause temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It is possible that people with asthma may be more sensitive to the effect of inhaled VOCs. The VOC smell may give you a headache or upset stomach but is not expected to cause long term health effects. If you are sensitive to VOCs, you should stay indoors to limit your exposure, close windows and doors, and set your air conditioner to a recirculation mode. The smell may become stronger if the wind or weather changes.
* Historical data on oil spills indicate that VOCs are likely to evaporate, disperse and/or react quickly after the oil reaches the surface of the water.
* Currently, we are measuring very low levels of VOCs. We will continue to monitor the air and if we begin to detect VOC levels that may be harmful we will provide updates to the public. For up-to-date information on air quality and monitoring data along the Gulf Coast, please see www.epa.gov/bpspill/air.html.