Home :: What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
What are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based gases emitted from a variety of solids and liquids. The term volatile means that the compounds vaporize at normal room temperatures. The US EPA and the EU define VOCs somewhat differently, with the EPA focusing on reactivity while the EU focuses on levels of evaporation.
Where is it found?
The most common naturally-occuring VOC is methane, which is produced from many sources including wetlands and cattle. Formaldehyde and polyurethane are two of the most common VOCs that are used in a wide variety of products including paints and lacquers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, construction materials and furnishings, copiers and printers, and glues and adhesives. Levels of VOCs are consistently higher indoors than outdoors.
Why should I be concerned?
VOCs have been shown to cause a variety of adverse effects in humans including eye and respiratory irritation, headaches, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. VOCs are the primary causes of "sick building syndrome" and many are suspected carcinogens.
Where can I learn more?
For more information, see the Wikipedia entry for volatile organic compounds, the EPA IAQ Basic Information on Organic Gases - Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and TreeHugger's "Green Basics: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)".
