VOCs

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a broad group of carbon-based chemicals that readily vaporize at room temperature due to their high vapor pressures. They include solvents, fuels, paints, cleaners, and reactive industrial intermediates. The term is used in environmental science and indoor air quality to describe emissions from building materials, consumer products, and biological sources. Not all organic compounds are considered VOCs; substances with very low vapor pressures or high boiling points are excluded.

Common indoor sources include paints, varnishes, primers, adhesives, cleaning products, air fresheners, and pressed wood products. Outdoor VOCs come from vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, and natural sources such as vegetation. VOCs participate in photochemical reactions that form ground-level ozone and secondary organic aerosols, contributing to smog and air quality issues.

Health effects depend on the compound and exposure. Short-term exposure can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, cause headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Long-term exposure to certain VOCs, such as benzene or formaldehyde, raises cancer risk and other chronic health concerns. Regulatory approaches typically set limits on VOC content in products and may require air quality monitoring, with standards varying by jurisdiction.

Measurement and reduction: VOCs are measured by air sampling and analysis, often with GC-MS. Reducing indoor VOC exposure focuses on source control, increasing ventilation, and choosing low-VOC or zero-VOC products. Proper storage, disposal, and, where appropriate, air cleaning technologies can also help.

Common VOCs include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, acetone, methanol, and naphthalene, among many others.