Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that can vaporize from solids or liquids and enter the atmosphere. Methane is the most common VOC and is most well known as an off-gas of landfills and cow manure. VOCs are frequently discussed in another context, however, as the gases commonly emitted by many household products, including paints, cleaners, glues, furniture, and appliances.
VOCs contribute to Sick Building Syndrome, a situation where indoor air pollution in closed or poorly ventilated offices and residences causes negative health effects for occupants. Fortunately, many products now eliminate the use of VOCs altogether. The next time you visit your local hardware store for home maintenance products or visit your grocery story for cleaning supplies, ask for VOC-free products. The more people seek and request VOC-free products, the more stores will stock them.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a set of guidelines that can help to reduce a household’s exposure to VOCs:
- Carefully follow label instructions when using potentially hazardous products
- Buy hazardous products in limited quantities
- Safely remove old and unnecessary products from the home
- Keep exposure to benzene (from tobacco smoke, paints, and fuels), perchloroethylene (from new dry cleaning), and methylene chloride (from adhesive removers and aerosol spray paint) to a minimum
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Meena Kapur
said on December 05, 2008
We were amazed that the very same day they painted there was no smell! Its amazing what we get used to and we forget to question why it has to be that way. I will never go back to regular paint!