Are We Measuring the Relevant Indoor Pollutants?

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Abstract
Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured indoors may exceed their odor thresholds, but are usually far below TLV estimates. Even applying additivity to eye and airway irritation effects, it is difficult to rationalize increased sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms by exposure to generally chemically inert VOCs in the indoor environment. Several studies suggest that chemical reactions in indoor air are linked with SBS symptoms and the examination of these reactions may be necessary in order to understand the role of VOCs as causative agents of SBS symptoms. The usual evaluation of odor annoyance of VOCs based on odor thresholds should be modified, taking into account the large variation of individual human odor thresholds for single substances, and specific additivity phenomena even at subthreshold levels of VOCs. The conclusion of this review is that chemical reactions between oxidizable VOCs and oxidants, such as ozone and possibly nitrogen oxides, can form irritants which may be responsible for the reported symptoms. Compounds adsorbed to particles may also contribute to SBS symptoms. The individual effects of indoor pollutants may act in concert with temperature and relative humidity. New analytical methods are required to measure the oxidative and reactive species or specific markers thereof in indoor air.