Organic molecules such as are found as solvents in glues, varnishes,
and cleaning solutions -- and (I suppose) vaporized from decaying
organic material -- can cause a wide range of health problems, from
headaches and vision problems to cancer.

The general public tends to have a much more cavalier attitude towards
exposure to organics than the research and industrial communities do.
This is not entirely unreasonable, as the long-term danger is influenced
by frequency of exposure, so you need to be much more careful if you
use an organic regularly on the job.  But it also stems from ignorance.

I remember walking into a used book store one day and catching a strong
whiff of xylene.  In the laboratory, xylene is one of many solvents
that are only ever used under a fume hood while wearing gloves.  This
guy was using a commercially available adhesive remover like "Glue Gone"
that contained xylene.  He was cheerfully stinking up the room with the
stuff, and letting it soak through his skin.

If you want to protect yourself, filter masks for use with organics
are widely available (a mere hospital mask does practically nothing).
Read the instructions on the containers of whatever materials you use
and take them seriously, if you use something at all regularly.

Lou Davenport