Abstract

In this review, sources and health effects of volatile organic compounds existing in indoor air are investigated. The most important source of volatile organic compounds, having so many types, are materials used for construction and decoration. Average concentrations of volatile organic compounds existing in indoor air are given. These organic compounds are classified according to their sources in the literature. The health effects of VOCs are discussed with respect to their toxicity values. Formaldehyde, which is considered apart from VOCs due to the difference in sampling and analysis, is also investigated. At the end of the literature investigation, it is seen that indoor concentrations of VOCs change in a wide range as a result of many factors.