Tuesday Term: VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds)

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Volatile Organic Compounds are chemicals that turn into gas at room temperature.

"Volatile" refers to the fact that they evaporate quickly, and "organic" means they contain carbon. You can't always see them, but you can often smell them.

𝐈𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐞:

Paints, varnishes, and glues - cleaning products and air fresheners - new furniture, carpet, and building materials - some personal care products (perfumes, nail polish)

𝐎𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞:

Vehicle exhaust – especially if you live near a busy road or have an attached garage

Industrial emissions – from nearby factories or refineries

Gasoline vapors – from gas stations, lawn equipment, or fueling up your car

Wildfire smoke – carries VOCs along with particulate matter

Dry cleaning fumes – if you live near a dry cleaner (perchloroethylene is a common one)

Pesticide/herbicide spraying – from nearby lawns or agricultural areas

Fresh asphalt or road paving – releases VOCs as it cures

Skunk spray!

These can enter through open windows, doors, or even small gaps and cracks in the building envelope. Using exhaust fans, keeping windows closed during high-traffic times or spraying nearby, and using a good air purifier (one rated for VOCs, like activated carbon) can help reduce how much gets in.

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐎𝐂𝐬 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬: Short-term exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, eye/nose/throat irritation, and nausea. Long-term or high-level exposure has been linked to liver, kidney, and central nervous system effects, and some VOCs are considered substances that may increase cancer risk.

E.g., benzene in tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and gasoline fumes, and occasionally found in certain consumer aerosol sprays.

𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐲:

Open windows when using strong-smelling products

Store chemicals in a garage or shed, not inside the house

Choose "low-VOC" or "no-VOC" labeled paints and products when possible

Close windows when outside VOCs are creeping in

Environmentally friendly products are becoming more widely available and are a great way to keep VOCs out of your house. For an individual with asthma or COPD, VOCs can be quite dangerous.

Source: EPA

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Tuesday Term: VOCs(Volatile Organic Compounds)