Prevalence of Symptoms Associated with Elevated Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) Levels in Workers at a Printing Facility

Abstract

In April 2000 and March 2001 an environmental chemical survey was carried out in a printing facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this investigation about 250 volatile organic compounds were identified and quantified. The maximum concentration of any compound measured was toluene at 7.8 mg · m-3. The high levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) detected overall ranged from 1.9 to 46.1 mg · m-3 exceeding national (500 μg · m-3) and international (300 μg · m-3) recommendations. The Royal Society of Health Advisory Group questionnaire about sick building syndrome was used to evaluate if there was a relationship between this high TVOCs concentration and the health of the workers. Several characteristic symptoms regarding irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract could be deduced from the responses. The results suggest that the poor air quality may be correlated to these symptoms but more detailed studies are necessary to establish a sound cause—effect relationship.