Everything You Need to Know About Volatile Organic Compounds:

Everything You Need to Know About Volatile Organic Compounds:

Anyone who has done any research into indoor air quality has come across the term VOC, or Volatile Organic Compounds. So what are they and how can they affect indoor air quality and your health?

What are VOCs and Where are they Found in Your Home?

Simply put, VOCs are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. They all contain carbon. Some are more harmful than others, some of them are identified as being potentially cancer causing. VOCs are released into the air from thousands of products, and you would be surprised at how many of these products you already have in your home:

• Paints, lacquers, and paint strippers
• Cleaning and disinfecting supplies
• Cosmetics
• Pesticides
• Upholstered furnishings
• Carpet and vinyl flooring
• Copiers and printers
• Permanent markers
• Fragrant candles
• Craft adhesives and glues
• Composite wood products (vanities, cabinets, furniture, and bookcases)

Some of the more common household VOCs are benzene (from paint), formaldehyde (from carpets), and toluene (found in glues). Because VOCs are found in so many common household products like those listed above, the EPA warns that VOCs are found to be 2 to 5 times higher inside your home than those found outdoors.

Although you are concerned with indoor air quality, VOCs are also found in nature and are not all bad. For example, trees and flowers will emit VOCs to repel damaging insects and to attract pollinators. The floral scents of certain species of flowers are known to emit hundreds of different VOCs.

Why are VOCs Harmful?

According to the American Lung Association, breathing in certain VOCs can cause several different adverse health problems, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, damage to the central nervous system, and damage to other internal organs. They can cause headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and allergic skin reactions.

Six VOCs Known to Cause Cancer

These cancer-causing VOCs are emitted at room temperature from thousands of everyday products and materials found in your home. Some you can smell, others are odorless::

• Formaldehyde: A pungent gas often used in building materials, this substance is often found in floor lacquers, paints, adhesives, wallboards, and plastics.
• Ethanol: A colorless liquid that mixes easily with organic compounds, it’s often found in glass cleaners, dishwasher detergents, and laundry detergents.
• Benzene: A flammable liquid with a sweet order, this substance can be found in paint, glue, carpeting, and emissions from gasoline combustion.
• Acetone: A clear organic compound that is commonly found in nail polish remover, furniture polish, and wallpaper.
• Toluene: A clear liquid with a distinct smell, toluene is often found in paint.
• Butanol: A toxin that is commonly found in the emissions from barbecues, burning candles, stoves, and cigarettes.

How to Reduce Indoor VOC Exposure

You can make some simple changes to lower your exposure to the VOCs that are common to your home:

1. Be more aware of the ingredients listed on product labels. Store potentially dangerous products away from your immediate living space and purchase smaller quantities of these products. Even better, throw out any leftover product after they have been used.

2. Choose safer alternative products. Look for products that are low to VOC-free. If you visit the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website, you can find a guide listing over 2,500 healthier and safer to use household products.

3. Increase ventilation and the airing out of your home. Higher VOC levels in homes are directly linked to poor ventilation. This can be achieved by simply opening windows or turning on exhaust fans.

4. Make use of technology. Use an air purifier and install activated carbon filters in your HVAC system. Use vacuum cleaners that have true HEPA filters. There are air quality monitors you can purchase that will notify you if VOCs reach harmful levels. Technology can be your fried when it comes to indoor air quality.

5. There are unseen benefits of used furniture. Off gassing from new furniture happens most in the first few years of use. Buying used furniture can reduce the risk of VOCs being brought into you home.

In Closing

The effects of VOCs can be small for some people, but very challenging for others. Spend the time necessary to learn more about how the VOCs in certain products can affect both your home and your health.