Discover what VOCs are and how they impact indoor air quality and health. Found in paints, cleaning products, and furniture, VOCs can cause headaches, nausea, and long-term organ damage. Learn simple steps like improving ventilation and using eco-friendly products to reduce exposure and protect your home’s air.
What Are
VOCs? A
Quick
Guide
A quick overview of Volatile Organic
Compounds, their sources, health impacts,
and strategies to reduce exposure.
Introduction to VOCs
Definition of VOCs
Volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) are
organic substances that
have a high vapor
pressure at room
temperature, meaning
they easily evaporate
into the air.
Sources of VOCs
VOCs can be found in a
variety of everyday
household items like
paints, cleaning products,
furniture, and even new
construction materials.
Indoor Air Quality
Impact
The presence of VOCs in
indoor environments can
contribute to poor air
quality, leading to
potential health issues for
occupants.
Regulation and
Standards
Regulatory bodies have
established guidelines for
permissible VOC levels in
various products, though
standards may differ by
region and product type.
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Sources of VOCs
Furniture
Furniture made from certain materials, like
pressed wood or synthetic fabrics, can release
VOCs into the indoor air.
Cleaning Products
Household cleaning supplies, such as air
fresheners, disinfectants, and floor cleaners, often
contain VOCs that are released during use.
Printers and Office Equipment
The operation of printers, copiers, and other office
equipment can emit VOCs into the surrounding
indoor environment.
Paints and Solvents
VOCs are commonly found in the formulations of
paints, varnishes, and solvents, which can release
these compounds during application and drying.
Building Materials
Construction materials like adhesives, sealants,
and certain types of treated wood can release
VOCs, contributing to indoor air pollution.
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Impact on Air Quality
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals
that easily evaporate into the air, contributing to
poor indoor and outdoor air quality. These airborne
pollutants can come from various sources, such as
household products, building materials, and
industrial activities, and they can have significant
impacts on the air we breathe.
Discover more at
https://filterbuy.com/resources/health-and-
wellness/what-are-vocs-a-quick-guide/
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
4
Health Effects of VOCs
Eye and Nasal Irritation
Short-term exposure to VOCs can cause irritation
and inflammation in the eyes and nasal
passages, leading to discomfort and difficulty
breathing.
Nausea and Migraines
VOCs can trigger nausea, vomiting, and severe
headaches, disrupting daily activities and overall
well-being.
Respiratory Problems
Prolonged exposure to VOCs can lead to
persistent respiratory issues, including difficulty
breathing, coughing, and lung damage.
Nervous System Damage
Long-term exposure to VOCs can harm the
central nervous system, leading to cognitive
impairment, memory loss, and neurological
disorders.
Organ Damage
Chronic exposure to VOCs can cause damage to
the liver and kidneys, potentially leading to more
serious health complications.
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5
Strategies for Reducing VOC Exposure
Equip your home or office with air
purifiers that feature activated
carbon filters to effectively
remove a wide range of VOCs
from the indoor air.
Use Air Purifiers
Select paints, furniture, cleaning
supplies, and other household
items labeled as low-VOC or
VOC-free to minimize the
introduction of these harmful
compounds into your indoor
environment.
Choose Low-VOC
Products
Improve air circulation and dilute
VOC concentrations by opening
windows regularly, using exhaust
fans, and maintaining your HVAC
system to promote the exchange
of indoor and outdoor air.
Ensure Proper
Ventilation
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
6
VOCs? A
Quick
Guide
A quick overview of Volatile Organic
Compounds, their sources, health impacts,
and strategies to reduce exposure.
Introduction to VOCs
Definition of VOCs
Volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) are
organic substances that
have a high vapor
pressure at room
temperature, meaning
they easily evaporate
into the air.
Sources of VOCs
VOCs can be found in a
variety of everyday
household items like
paints, cleaning products,
furniture, and even new
construction materials.
Indoor Air Quality
Impact
The presence of VOCs in
indoor environments can
contribute to poor air
quality, leading to
potential health issues for
occupants.
Regulation and
Standards
Regulatory bodies have
established guidelines for
permissible VOC levels in
various products, though
standards may differ by
region and product type.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
2
Sources of VOCs
Furniture
Furniture made from certain materials, like
pressed wood or synthetic fabrics, can release
VOCs into the indoor air.
Cleaning Products
Household cleaning supplies, such as air
fresheners, disinfectants, and floor cleaners, often
contain VOCs that are released during use.
Printers and Office Equipment
The operation of printers, copiers, and other office
equipment can emit VOCs into the surrounding
indoor environment.
Paints and Solvents
VOCs are commonly found in the formulations of
paints, varnishes, and solvents, which can release
these compounds during application and drying.
Building Materials
Construction materials like adhesives, sealants,
and certain types of treated wood can release
VOCs, contributing to indoor air pollution.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
3
https://filterbuy.com/resources/health-and-wellness/what-are-vocs-a-quick-guide/
https://filterbuy.com/resources/health-and-wellness/what-are-vocs-a-quick-guide/
Impact on Air Quality
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals
that easily evaporate into the air, contributing to
poor indoor and outdoor air quality. These airborne
pollutants can come from various sources, such as
household products, building materials, and
industrial activities, and they can have significant
impacts on the air we breathe.
Discover more at
https://filterbuy.com/resources/health-and-
wellness/what-are-vocs-a-quick-guide/
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
4
Health Effects of VOCs
Eye and Nasal Irritation
Short-term exposure to VOCs can cause irritation
and inflammation in the eyes and nasal
passages, leading to discomfort and difficulty
breathing.
Nausea and Migraines
VOCs can trigger nausea, vomiting, and severe
headaches, disrupting daily activities and overall
well-being.
Respiratory Problems
Prolonged exposure to VOCs can lead to
persistent respiratory issues, including difficulty
breathing, coughing, and lung damage.
Nervous System Damage
Long-term exposure to VOCs can harm the
central nervous system, leading to cognitive
impairment, memory loss, and neurological
disorders.
Organ Damage
Chronic exposure to VOCs can cause damage to
the liver and kidneys, potentially leading to more
serious health complications.
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
5
Strategies for Reducing VOC Exposure
Equip your home or office with air
purifiers that feature activated
carbon filters to effectively
remove a wide range of VOCs
from the indoor air.
Use Air Purifiers
Select paints, furniture, cleaning
supplies, and other household
items labeled as low-VOC or
VOC-free to minimize the
introduction of these harmful
compounds into your indoor
environment.
Choose Low-VOC
Products
Improve air circulation and dilute
VOC concentrations by opening
windows regularly, using exhaust
fans, and maintaining your HVAC
system to promote the exchange
of indoor and outdoor air.
Ensure Proper
Ventilation
2024 Proprietary and Confidential. All Rights Reserved.
6