TVOC as marker of indoor pollution

August 27, 2018
Morning Health Talk : 
New Delhi, August 27, 2018

Total volatile organic compound (TVOC) levels are an important indicator of the overall air quality in a building. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gaseous molecules that can be sampled quickly and non-invasively from breath. They can originate either from within the body (endogenous VOCs) or from external sources such as diet, prescription drugs and environmental exposure (exogenous VOCs).

TVOC level is a measurement of the sum of all of the volatile organic compounds found in an air sample.  It does not distinguish between chemicals that may be toxic and those that are not, so in addition to looking at the TVOC levels, the levels of the individual chemicals found in the air sample should be evaluated.

There are no regulatory standards for TVOCs so these levels should serve as a guideline.

TVOC level  µg/m3 Level of concern Symptoms Comments
Less than 300 Low No irritation or discomfort is expected. There is a low likelihood that specific VOC sources are present
300 to 500 Acceptable Occasional irritation or discomfort may be possible with sensitive individuals. There is a low to moderate likelihood that specific VOC sources are present
500 to 1000 Marginal Complaints about irritation and discomfort are possible in sensitive individuals A moderate likelihood that specific VOC sources are it is recommended that steps be taken to identify the sources
1000 to 3000 High Irritation and discomfort are very likely A high likelihood that specific VOC sources are present and it is highly recommended that steps be taken to identify them.
More than 3000 Very High Irritation and discomfort are very possible. These levels are usually found in an industrial environment where workers are exposed to chemicals

Breast milk donation is the new wave and a concept. We often hear about the need for blood donations, but there is also a need for breast milk donations. Mayo clinic is asking for breast milk donations for fragile infants. Giving milk, can save a life. To be a donor a woman must be in good health, a non-smoker and willing to give at least 200 ounces of milk. Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) has 26 non-profit member milk banks in the United States and Canada. HMBANA dispensed more than 5 million ounces of donor milk from more than 9,000 donors in 2016—which was a 20 percent increase over the prior year.

Milk banks are responsible for screening donors and processing, pasteurizing, and dispensing the collected milk. Hospitals decide which babies qualify, and it’s only given with a doctor’s prescription. This is used for the highest-risk babies in the most critical time.

A miracle plant can cure diabetic ulcers, as reported in TOI Rajkot. Let us talk about the plant. The signs of Dushta Vrana (chronic wound) mentioned in the classics are Ativivrita (broad base), Bhairava (ugly look), Putipuyamansa (pus discharge), Gandha (foul smell), Vedana (pain), Dirghakalanubandhi (chronicity).

Sushruta has mentioned prognosis of diabetic wound as “krichrasadhya” (difficult to treat).

According to Acharya Sushruta among the 60 measures of wound treatment, “Kalka” (application of paste) is a measure indicated for non-healing wounds located in muscle and having slough. The paste performs both functions of “Shodhana” (cleaning) and “Ropana” (healing).

Katupila (Securinega leucopyrus) leaves have Kashaya rasa, which provides Lekhana (scraping) that helps to slough out necrosed tissue and preparing the wound for healing. Kashaya rasa has Grahi and Stambhana properties which helped to stop discharge from the wound. (J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014 Jan-Mar; 5(1): 60–63.)

In 2016, researchers at Israel’s Tel Aviv University concluded that a large whey protein breakfast may help people manage type 2 diabetes.

Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President HCFI

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