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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals found in air that can affect your health. People can take steps to reduce their exposure to VOCs in indoor air.
VOCs come from many commonly used products and indoor furnishings, such as:
- Gasoline, fuels, and solvents
- Paints, stains, strippers, and finishes
- Pesticides
- Personal care products
- Aerosol sprays
- Cleaners and room deodorizers
- New cabinets, furniture, and beds
- New carpets, rugs, and wood floors
How do VOCs get into indoor air?
Some VOCs are gases that come inside from outdoor air, but many VOCs are gases given off by solids and liquids inside buildings. Many products release VOCs when they are used. You might notice an odor when using these products. Many different VOCs are present in the air of most indoor settings.
What are the health effects of VOCs?
Short-term exposure to high levels of some VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness, nausea, and eye and respiratory irritation. These effects usually go away after the exposure stops. In laboratory animals, long-term exposure to high levels of some VOCs has caused cancer and affected the liver, kidney and nervous system.
How can I reduce the levels of VOCs indoors?
Use and purchase low-VOC products. The levels of certain VOCs in many products are being reduced by many manufacturers to comply with regulations. Some products also have industry certifications for low-VOC labeling, such as GreenGuard, Green Seal, and Eurofins. However, this labeling relates to the chemical’s ozone-producing potential, not necessarily its likelihood to affect health.
Indoor levels of VOCs increase when you use or bring products containing VOCs inside. Levels of VOCs from household products will decrease if you ventilate the area. To ventilate, open windows or doors to bring in fresh air, and use exhaust fans to remove odors. Dispose of unneeded products that contain VOCs. Some products are considered household hazardous wastes. To learn how to dispose of these products, contact your town, or visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Household Hazardous Waste website.
Some building materials and furnishings, such as new carpets or furniture, may release VOCs over time. Ventilate rooms containing new carpeting or furniture. VOC levels can increase again after the ventilation stops. If possible, air out new carpets and furniture outside your home (in a shed or detached garage) before bringing them inside.
If VOC-containing products are used outdoors near your home, you may want to close windows and nearby vents to prevent chemicals from coming inside. VOCs can also get into indoor air from contaminated soils and groundwater under buildings. The chemicals enter buildings through cracks and openings in basem*nts or slabs. When nearby soil or groundwater is contaminated, you might be asked for permission to investigate indoor air at your property. More information can be found on the Soil Vapor Intrusion webpage.
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FAQs
Common examples of VOCs that may be present in our daily lives are: benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene.
What products contain volatile organic compounds? ›
Volatile Organic Compounds in Commonly Used Products
- Gasoline, fuels, and solvents.
- Paints, stains, strippers, and finishes.
- Pesticides.
- Personal care products.
- Aerosol sprays.
- Cleaners and room deodorizers.
- New cabinets, furniture, and beds.
- New carpets, rugs, and wood floors.
The most common VOCs are the aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, xylene and ethyl benzene, and halogenated hydrocarbons, such as chloroethylene and trichloroethylene. A distinguished set of VOCs are the cancerous volatile organic compounds (cVOCs), being able to cause cancer in human beings.
What is a common source of volatile organic compounds? ›
VOCs are often components of petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners, and dry cleaning agents. VOCs are common ground-water contaminants.
What are the 6 volatile organic compounds? ›
VOCs include aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatics, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids and alcohols, with diverse functional groups (halogens, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen or phosphorus, excluding carbon oxides and carbonates).
What is the most common VOC? ›
Formaldehyde. This is far and away one of the most common VOCs out there, largely because it's present in everyday products such as molded plastics and lacquers. Avoid heating plastics, and limit plastic use in general so as to keep concentrations of formaldehyde low.
What are 5 volatile organic compounds? ›
Common examples of VOCs that may be present in our daily lives are: benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and 1,3-butadiene.
What causes high VOC in homes? ›
Important VOC sources include cleaning products, tobacco smoke, cooking, heating appliances, VOC outgassing (from furniture, floor and wall coverings, and other building products), paints, glues, polishes, waxes, pesticides, personal care products, and the migration of emissions from attached garages (Wieslander et al.
What is a major source of VOCs? ›
Gasoline and natural gas are a major source of VOCs that impact outdoor air quality. Vehicle exhaust and burning fossil fuels, wood, and garbage all release VOCs into the atmosphere. VOCs in the air react with sunlight and nitrogen oxides to form tropospheric ozone, another harmful air pollutant.
What is VOC in air purifier? ›
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are a major concern for indoor air pollution. The EPA estimates levels of some common pollutants to be 2-5 times higher inside homes than out. If you've ever shopped for an air purifier, you've probably heard of these chemicals.
According to the raw materials, vinegar can be mainly divided into fruit and cereal ones, both of which possess unique aroma and flavor characteristics and corresponding volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Is mold a VOC? ›
Some compounds produced by molds have strong smells and are volatile and quickly released into the air. These compounds are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs).
Is acetone considered a VOC? ›
VOCs are a class of chemicals that are volatile (evaporate easily) and are organic compounds (contain carbon atoms). Some common VOCs include acetone and automotive gasoline.
Does vinegar have VOCs? ›
According to the raw materials, vinegar can be mainly divided into fruit and cereal ones, both of which possess unique aroma and flavor characteristics and corresponding volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Which cosmetic products are volatile substances? ›
A Beginner's List of Volatile Organic Compounds in Beauty Products
| Chemical Name: | You Might Find It In: |
|---|
| Isopropyl alcohol | Moisturizer, lotion, body cream, cosmetics, aftershave. |
| Toluene | Nail polish, eyelash glue, hair dye. |
| Acetone | Nail polish remover, hair dye, nail polish, skincare products, cosmetics. |
3 more rowsExposure to VOC vapors can cause a variety of health effects, including eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches and loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system. Some VOCs are suspected or proven carcinogens.
What are volatile organic compounds list cosmetics? ›
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) include formaldehyde, toluene, acetone, benzene, terpene, isopropyl alcohol, and ethyl methacrylate (MMA). VOCs can be found in cleaners, cosmetics, nail products, feminine hygiene product, and more.
