VOC

Voc is an abbreviation that can refer to more than one topic. In science, VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, a broad class of carbon-containing chemicals that readily vaporize at room temperature. VOCs include hydrocarbons, aromatics, aldehydes and ketones such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde and acetone. They originate from paints, solvents, fuels, cleaning products, furnishings and building materials, as well as natural sources like plants. VOCs contribute to indoor air pollution and outdoor smog. Exposure can irritate eyes, nose and throat and may affect the central nervous system; some VOCs are carcinogenic or linked to other health effects with long-term exposure. Concentrations are measured in parts per billion or micrograms per cubic meter; regulatory frameworks set limits for consumer products and emissions. Mitigation approaches include increasing ventilation, selecting low-VOC products, using proper storage, and employing air cleaning technologies.

In history, Voc commonly refers to the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie, the Dutch East India Company. Founded in 1602 as a chartered company, it held a government-granted monopoly on Dutch trade and shipping to Asia. It rapidly expanded to control shipping routes, forts and trading posts, notably Batavia (present-day Jakarta) on Java, and operations throughout the Indonesian archipelago and beyond. The VOC was one of the world’s first multinational corporations and a dominant force in the Dutch Golden Age, financed by shares and a centralized board in Amsterdam. It declined in the late 18th century amid debt and competition and was dissolved in 1799, with its assets transferred to the Dutch government. The VOC left a lasting impact on global commerce, maritime law and colonial history, and its emblem and archives remain important sources for researchers.