Toxic Pollution 139
of them. Until 2012, 44 substances are proposed to be identified as Substances
of Very High Concern (SVHCs) on the basis of their classifications as carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or toxic for reproduction. Five further substances are
also proposed to be of great concern. Three of those are respiratory sensitisers
and are proposed to be of a very high level of concern for human health. Two
further proposals comprise substances proposed to be of a very high concern
for the environment due to endocrine disrupting properties.
7.2 volatilE organic coMPoundS (vocS)
These include a great variety of chemicals; many are organic solvents and
some have short- or long-term harmful effects on health. They are emitted
by many different products, solid or liquid, that are used inside and outside
the home, such as paints, polishes, candles, cleaning fluids, insecticides,
disinfectants, deodorants, aromatics, building materials, wood preservatives, furniture, office equipment, writing materials, glues, marking pens,
photographic supplies, etc. They are more dangerous indoors, where their
concentrations may be up to 10 times higher than outdoors.
Effects on health range from irritation of the eyes or the respiratory system, fatigue, allergies, headaches, shortness of breath and nausea to damage
to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system or cancer. The effects of
exposure to a harmful substance depend on the dose taken up, the duration
and manner of exposure, the vulnerability, particularities and habits of the
person affected, and the possible presence of other chemicals that may act
in synergy with it. The ability of organic chemical substances to have harmful health effects ranges through a broad spectrum from those with high
toxicity to those whose impact on health is not known.
7.3 toxic SynthEtic organic coMPoundS
Thousands of different synthetic organic compounds are in use worldwide
and their number is increasing as new products enter the market. Many
are dangerous and may have adverse effects on the environment and public
health. Some of the most dangerous compounds stand out, as they have
three common features: they are persistent (stable) in the environment,
they are toxic and they are bioaccumulative. These compounds are known
as PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) or POP (Persistent Organic
Pollutants). They include mainly pesticides, but also additives for cosmetics
and plastics and undesirable by-products of certain industrial processes
(such as dioxins). Humans and other living organisms come into contact
with these dangerous compounds either through direct use of various
products, ingestion of food or water, or inhalation.
of them. Until 2012, 44 substances are proposed to be identified as Substances
of Very High Concern (SVHCs) on the basis of their classifications as carcinogenic, mutagenic and/or toxic for reproduction. Five further substances are
also proposed to be of great concern. Three of those are respiratory sensitisers
and are proposed to be of a very high level of concern for human health. Two
further proposals comprise substances proposed to be of a very high concern
for the environment due to endocrine disrupting properties.
7.2 volatilE organic coMPoundS (vocS)
These include a great variety of chemicals; many are organic solvents and
some have short- or long-term harmful effects on health. They are emitted
by many different products, solid or liquid, that are used inside and outside
the home, such as paints, polishes, candles, cleaning fluids, insecticides,
disinfectants, deodorants, aromatics, building materials, wood preservatives, furniture, office equipment, writing materials, glues, marking pens,
photographic supplies, etc. They are more dangerous indoors, where their
concentrations may be up to 10 times higher than outdoors.
Effects on health range from irritation of the eyes or the respiratory system, fatigue, allergies, headaches, shortness of breath and nausea to damage
to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system or cancer. The effects of
exposure to a harmful substance depend on the dose taken up, the duration
and manner of exposure, the vulnerability, particularities and habits of the
person affected, and the possible presence of other chemicals that may act
in synergy with it. The ability of organic chemical substances to have harmful health effects ranges through a broad spectrum from those with high
toxicity to those whose impact on health is not known.
7.3 toxic SynthEtic organic coMPoundS
Thousands of different synthetic organic compounds are in use worldwide
and their number is increasing as new products enter the market. Many
are dangerous and may have adverse effects on the environment and public
health. Some of the most dangerous compounds stand out, as they have
three common features: they are persistent (stable) in the environment,
they are toxic and they are bioaccumulative. These compounds are known
as PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) or POP (Persistent Organic
Pollutants). They include mainly pesticides, but also additives for cosmetics
and plastics and undesirable by-products of certain industrial processes
(such as dioxins). Humans and other living organisms come into contact
with these dangerous compounds either through direct use of various
products, ingestion of food or water, or inhalation.