Semi-volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs)

Abstract

In modern buildings, abundant synthetic materials and products are used to meet various demands of occupants. A vast of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are added as additives or solvents to facilitate the production of, or enhance the performance of, these materials and products, leading to the ubiquity of SVOCs in indoor environments. SVOCs can be slowly emitted from these sources and then be partitioned among gas phase and various indoor surfaces. Due to their strong partitioning between air and surfaces, SVOCs have long indoor persistence (days to years, or even more). Human exposure to some SVOCs have been proved to be associated with diverse health risks, which have led to product reformulations in some cases. However, few knowledges about the indoor fate, human exposure, and the associated health risks are currently available for many other widely used SVOCs as well as the increasing number of emerging SVOCs. This chapter provides an overview on the usage, basic physicochemical properties, and adverse health effects of four classes of SVOCs that have been frequently/newly investigated in the past 20 years, including (1) phthalate esters (PAEs) and their alternatives, (2) brominated flame retardants (BFRs), (3) organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), and (4) perand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Overall, this chapter aims to emphasize the importance of investigating SVOC pollution in indoor environments.