VOCs & Health

​[Short-term] "health effects [of VOCs] may include: loss of coordination; conjunctival [eye] irritation; nose and throat discomfort; headache; allergic skin reaction; dyspnea [shortness of breath]; nausea; emesis [vomiting]; epistaxis [nosebleeds]; fatigue; dizziness; visual disorders; memory impairment." [link]

Depending on the specific chemical, there could be other issues impacting the nervous system, heart, skin, etc. Check ATSDR & OSHA if you know the specific chemical. For example, Trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure is known to cause standard VOC symptoms and also depression of the central nervous system, low blood pressure, heart damage, blood circulation issues, hallucinations, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fainting, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, hearing and vision issues, rashes, chemical burns, menstrual irregularities, and autoimmune diseases (like Lupus) among other health issues. [link]

​Cancer risk depends on the specific chemical and exposure, among other factors. 
Government 
Academia & Medicine 
  • "The presence of Superfund sites as a determinant of life expectancy in the United States, [Nature: link] 
  • "Life Expectancy Lower Near Superfund Sites, Lower Still for Those with Low Incomes." [UH: link]  
  • "Sick Building Syndrome," [BMJ: link]  
  • "Superfund Cleanups and Infant Health," [NBER: link]  
  • "Human Health Effects of Trichloroethylene," [NIH: link] 
  • "Cancer in the Semiconductor Industry," [EH: link]
News 
  • "Living near a US toxic waste site could shave a year off your life, study finds," [The Guardian: link]  
  • "Superfund sites tied to birth defects, [SF Gate: link] 
  • "Toxic waste sites may cause health problems for millions," [Science News: link] 
  • "Chemical Exposure Linked to Billions in Health Care Costs," [National Geographic: link]  
  • "Rates of Parkinson’s disease are exploding. A common chemical may be to blame" (TCE), [The Guardian: link] 


​Silicon Valley/North SF & Breast Cancer

"We identified four areas of concern where inva- sive breast cancer rates were 10-20% higher than the state average from 2000-2008." Including: Silicon Valley (San Mateo, Santa Clara, & Alameda counties) + North San Francisco Bay Area (Marin, Solano, etc). Tracking California (link) 
  • "Bay Area breast cancer clusters seen," [SF Gate, 2014: link] 
  • "Breast Cancer Mapping Project" Landing Page, [Tracking California: link] 
  • "Breast Cancer Mapping Project" Report, [Tracking California, 2012: link] ​
  • "Elevated rates of invasive breast cancer in Bay Area cities," [Cal Health Report, 2014: link]
  • "New Mapping Finds More Breast Cancer 'Areas of Concern,'" [KQED: link] 


​Chemicals & Women's Health

"Research has shown that in at least some situations, women react differently than men when exposed to the same toxic substances. For example, several studies have shown that when women and men are exposed to the same toxic substances in the workplace (in a building that causes Sick Building Syndrome, say), women consistently report having more symptoms. A number of physiological differences might explain this. Because women have, on average, 10 percent more body fat than men, they are able to store more fat-soluble toxins. Women may be more vulnerable to toxic exposures because they have a lower body weight. Finally, hormonal differences may also affect the way a person’s body responds to chemicals." (link)
  • "Sick Building Syndrome and Gender Bias: Imperiling Women's Health," [T&F Online: link] 
  • "Research lags on the health risks of women's exposure to chemicals," [The Guardian: link] 
  • "Reproductive Health & the Workplace," [CDC: link]
  • "Why do Women Suffer from Sick Building Syndrome more often than Men? – Subjective Higher Sensitivity versus Objective Causes," [Wiley: link] 
  • "Sick Building Syndrome and the Problem of Uncertainty: Environmental Politics, Technoscience, and Women Workers," [Amazon: link]
  • "New report: Gender inequalities exacerbated by exposure to hazardous chemicals," [IPEN: link]
  • "Women and Chemicals," [HEJ Support: link]  
  • "Women and chemicals – the impact of hazardous chemicals on women," [WECF: link]  
  • "Women & Chemicals," [IPEN: link]
  • "Exploring chemical exposures for California’s women workers," [CBCRP: link] 
  • "Women's Occupations & Risk from Chemicals," [CA DPH: link]  ​
  • "Women's Voices for the Earth," [link] 

SF Bay Area Chemical Exposure Doctors

UCSF Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic
  • "The UCSF Occupational and Environmental Medicine Clinic cares for patients and families with injuries, illnesses, harmful exposures or other health concerns related to workplace, community or home. Our doctors diagnose and treat work-related injury and illness under workers' compensation programs, and can perform in-depth expert consultation to assess disability or ability to return to work. In addition, we are familiar with the latest studies on chemical exposure and its health effects. We can arrange for workplace visits and testing, and we will use the findings to make recommendations on reducing or eliminating hazards."
  • https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/occupational-and-environmental-medicine-clinic
​​

Radiation Exposure

If you live in Hunter's Point or Treasure Island (or other radioactive areas in the Bay Area), this is a topic you probably want to look into further.
  • "Radiation and Your Health," [CDC: link] 
  • "Brain cancer biomonitoring in Bayview Hunters Point," Dr. Ahimsa Porter Sumchai, MD, [SF Bay View: link] 
  • "An insider tour of the Hunters Point Community Biomonitoring Program," [SF Bay View: link]  
  • "Former Treasure Island residents report radiation and chemical poisoning during Feb. 8 SF Supervisors’ hearing," [SF Bay View: link]
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US CDC
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US CDC
© Ashley Gjovik | ashleygjovik.com
Nothing here is professional, medical, and/or legal advice.