Volatile Organic Compounds: Home & Away
- Sylvia Rose
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evaporate or vaporize easily at room temperature, diffusing into the air we breathe. They transition from liquid or solid state to a gas, dangerous to health and environment.
Organic compounds contain carbon, a fundamental element in living organisms and many synthetic materials. High vapor pressure makes VOCs pervasive. They're constantly released from materials and products.
Examples of VOCs include formaldehyde, benzene and xylene. While some occur naturally, most are synthetic. VOC levels inside are up to 10x more than outdoor, due to emissions from everyday items.
VOCs cause health problems from eye irritation to long-term illness. They're neurotoxic and can disrupt the central nervous system.
Sources of VOCs
Mold: Mold, often in damp areas like bathrooms and basements, is a prime source of VOCs. Some molds release an array of VOCs as part of metabolic processes. This causes the musty, stale odor of mold infestations.
Upholstered Furniture: Fabric, foam, and adhesives used in upholstered furniture release VOCs, especially when new. Flame retardants added to upholstery can break down and release chemicals into the air.
Arts and Crafts Supplies: Paints, glues, markers, solvents, and other art supplies often contain VOCs. Strong odors associated with these products are signs of inherent chemical volatility.
Dry Cleaned Clothing & Cleaning Supplies: Dry cleaning solvents, like perchloroethylene ("perc"), are known VOCs. Many dry cleaners are implementing safer practices.
Cleaning Products: Common household items like all-purpose cleaners, bleach, detergents, dishwashing products, furniture polish, and floor polish contain VOCs.
Building Materials: Paints, varnishes, adhesives, carpets and some types of wood products can release VOCs for months or years after installation.
Personal Care Products: VOCs in hairsprays, perfume, deodorants and nail polish evaporate into the air shortly after application. Products can include alcohol and other volatile solvents adding to indoor VOC levels.
The "new car smell" is the result of off-gassing. Various volatile organic compounds from materials used in the car's interior are released into the air. They include chemicals like ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene and styrene.
Outdoor Sources
VOCs are common outside from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and burning of fossil fuels. VOCs add to air pollution by reacting with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sunlight to form ozone, a major component of smog.
They create formations of fine particulate matter, an air pollutant. VOCs can also be direct toxins, causing respiratory and cardiac ailments. Outdoor VOCs can infiltrate indoor spaces.
Vehicle emissions are a major source of outdoor VOCs. Gasoline and diesel engines create numerous volatile organic compounds and intensify air pollution.
Factories and industrial processes release VOCs as byproducts. The emissions can reduce air quality and degrade health of local populations.
Symptoms of VOC Exposure
Exposure to VOCs can have range of health effects, depending on the type of VOC, the concentration, and the duration of exposure. Short-term effects include:
Eye, nose, and throat irritation
Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness
Allergic skin reactions
Long-term exposure to certain VOCs causes more serious health problems, including:
Respiratory illnesses
Liver and kidney damage
Central nervous system damage
Increased risk of certain cancers
Improving indoor ventilation and opting for low or no VOC products can lower the risks. Air purifiers to filter out VOCs can also help maintain a healthy indoor atmosphere.
READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series
READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries