"Why Just treat the symptoms, when we need to eliminate the sources."

Volatile organic compounds are compounds that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacture of paints, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerants. VOCs typically are industrial solvents, such as trichloroethylene; fuel oxygenates, such as methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE); or by-products produced by chlorination in water treatment, such as chloroform. VOCs are often components of petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners, and dry cleaning agents. VOCs are common ground-water contaminants.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.  VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.

EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. 



Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a strong odor. Exposure to formaldehyde may cause adverse health effects.

Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. High levels of exposure may cause some types of cancers.

Formaldehyde is found in:

• Resins used in the manufacture of composite wood products (i.e., hardwood plywood, particleboard and medium-density fiberboard);

• Building materials and insulation;

• Household products such as glues, permanent press fabrics, paints and coatings, lacquers and finishes, and paper products;

• Preservatives used in some medicines, cosmetics and other consumer products such as dishwashing liquids and fabric softeners; and

• Fertilizers and pesticides.

It is a byproduct of combustion and certain other natural processes, and so is also found in:

• Emissions from un-vented, fuel burning appliances, like gas stoves or kerosene space heaters; and

• Cigarette smoke.

SEECC uses Enthalpy Analytical Lab for your extensive analysis. IAQ by type and IAQ by Application. NELAP accredited for a full range of EPA and state air test methods with for in-lab and on-site analytical support services. Enthalpy provides analytical support for over 1,600 stack tests annually. We provide robust solutions for unique and challenging test programs by addressing laboratory, stack tester and source challenges.