Have you ever sprayed bug repellent and suddenly started coughing? What about cleaning products or art supplies? Have you ever had an odor from new furniture or appliances? Those issues might not only be from the strong smell; it can be caused by Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs for short. These are gases released from certain products and processes, and they're more common than most people realize.
VOCs are found in everyday items like cleaning supplies, air fresheners, paints, furniture, glues, as well as car exhaust. They evaporate easily into the air at room temperature, which means we often inhale them while going about our daily routines—cleaning the house, doing arts and crafts, or even sitting in traffic.
While some VOCs may only cause mild irritation, others have been linked to more serious health effects over time. They can also contribute to air pollution, making them harmful not just to our bodies, but to the environment as well.
In this blog, we'll break down what VOCs are, where they come from, how they affect your health, and simple steps you can take to reduce VOCs in your home.
What are Volatile Organic Compounds?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases released from a wide range of products—both man-made and natural. As mentioned above, you can find them in things like cleaning supplies, paints, glues, furniture, and even in nature, like in forests and plants. VOCs are easily released into the air because they have a low ability to dissolve in water and a high tendency to turn into gas.
Some VOCs are harmful on their own, while others combine to form dangerous pollutants in the air. They can be released naturally, as in the case of plants or trees, or through processes like burning. The thing that makes VOCs especially harmful is that they don't need heat or extreme conditions to spread. Just like how you can smell the scent of an air freshener lingering in the air or the smell of wood glue at a construction site, VOCs are always working their way into the atmosphere.
In nature, plants and animals release VOCs to communicate. Flowers attract bees with sweet scents, while certain plants release strong odors to repel animals. These natural signals are just one example of how VOCs are a part of both the natural and man-made world.
Where Do Volatile Organic Compounds Come From?
In addition to everyday items like cleaning products and paints, VOCs are found in less obvious sources such as hydraulic fluids, gasoline, antifreeze, and even chlorinated water. These substances contaminate the air during use, and even more when these substances are improperly disposed of or spilled, they can contaminate the air, soil, and water, leading to significant environmental damage and posing health risks to humans.
Common VOCs:
- Acetone
- Benzene
- Ethylene
- Formaldehyde
- Methylene Chloride
- Styrene
- Tetrachloroethylene
- Toluene
Common Places VOCs are Found:
- Adhesives
- Aerosol Products
- Building Supplies
- Cleaning Supplies
- Craft Supplies
- Fertilizers
- Fuel/Exhaust
- Paint
- Perfume
- Upholstery
Common Activities Where VOCs Are Found:
- Burning Fuel
- Industrial Activities
- Smoking Tobacco
- Wildfires
So, How are Volatile Organic Compounds Dangerous?
Here's the thing—VOCs aren't just some harmless fumes floating around. They're incredibly powerful because they evaporate easily and can spread like wildfire. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are dangerous because of how easily they enter our bodies and environment. When products containing VOCs, like paints, cleaners, and aerosols, are used, they release gases that can linger in the air long after the product is applied. Because VOCs can vaporize at room temperature, they spread quickly, and we end up inhaling them without even realizing it.
Short-term exposure to VOCs can cause immediate irritation, such as headaches, dizziness, eye and throat irritation, and coughing. These symptoms can be especially noticeable when you're in a closed space or have poor ventilation.
However, the risks of VOCs extend beyond these immediate effects. Long-term exposure to certain VOCs has been linked to serious health issues. Some VOCs, like formaldehyde and benzene, are known carcinogens—substances that can cause cancer. Others can damage organs such as the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. For example, exposure to high levels of VOCs has been linked to memory problems, fatigue, and even nerve damage in extreme cases.
What's the Difference Between Volatile Organic Compounds & Volatile Organic Chemicals?
Volatile Organic Compounds and Volatile Organic Chemicals are used somewhat synonymously in this conversation—but is that correct? At its base level, the difference between a compound and a chemical lies in its characterization. Compounds are specific, two-or-more chemically bonded elements. A chemical, on the other hand, is simply any substance with a defined composition. So, a compound will always be a chemical; however, a chemical is not necessarily a compound. Think of chemicals like a group of names and compounds like unique names within that group. It's not very helpful to try and identify one person by instead identifying a whole group, right?
Although both volatile organic compounds and volatile organic chemicals have been used interchangeably, Volatile Organic Compounds is the correct term to use when addressing a specific VOC, such as formaldehyde. Perfume, however, would fall under the characterization of Volatile Organic Chemicals. Understanding the difference between these two terms, although seemingly small, is necessary. To address the ongoing and growing effects of VOCs in our lives and environment, we must properly differentiate between these two terms.
How AirDoctor Can Help Protect You from VOCs
Now that you understand the dangers of VOCs, and how they can impact your health, you might be wondering how to protect yourself from these harmful compounds. One of the most effective ways to reduce VOC exposure is by improving indoor air quality—and that's where AirDoctor comes in.
AirDoctor's powerful 3-stage filtration system is designed to capture a wide range of airborne particles, including VOCs. Its Premium Carbon/VOC filter captures toxic ozone, gas, odors and VOCs from the air you breathe. Whether you're dealing with fumes from cooking, cleaning products, or paints, or everyday airborne allergens like pollen, dust, smoke, pet dander, bacteria, or viruses, the AirDoctor air purifier helps keep your indoor air clean and safe to breathe.
