VOCs: What Are They and How Can They Affect Your Health?

Understanding the hidden risks within our environment is essential for maintaining good health. One such risk comes from volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These compounds aren’t just a concern for those working in industrial environments but also for the everyday individual seeking a healthy lifestyle. Learn more about VOCs, unravel their potential health impacts, and discover how you can pursue a more informed and health-conscious path.

What Are VOCs?

VOCs are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature. This high vapor pressure can cause molecules to enter the air through evaporation. Common sources of VOCs include paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials, furnishings, and even household equipment like printers. These ubiquitous compounds can accumulate in indoor environments, leading to concerns about their impacts on health.

Health Risks of VOCs

Exposure to VOCs can cause several health risks. Short-term exposure may lead to respiratory issues, eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and nausea. People with existing sensitivities or allergies may notice exacerbated symptoms upon encountering VOCs.

Long-term health effects are of greater concern. Some VOCs can cause an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as asthma or kidney, liver, and central nervous system damage. Certain VOCs may even cause cancer in humans. Therefore, understanding how to manage and reduce exposure to volatile organic compounds is imperative for safeguarding your health.

Common Sources of VOCs

Indoor air quality can suffer tremendously from off-gassing VOCs. You can find them in many household products—from the varnish on your coffee table to the cleaning agents in your laundry room. Building materials like adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, and paint also contribute to the VOC concentration in an indoor setting.

Using higher concentrations of VOC-containing products in our confined homes and workplaces often leads to a greater concentration of these compounds indoors. Therefore, identifying and controlling the sources of VOCs can play a crucial role in reducing exposure and protecting your health.

VOCs are more than just a complex term used by scientists and health professionals. They impact the day-to-day air quality of our living spaces and, consequentially, our health. Recognizing the presence of VOCs throughout our environments and taking actionable steps toward mitigating their effects is crucial.

By understanding more about VOCs and how they can impact your health, you’re making the first step to safeguarding your home or business. Choose low-VOC or VOC-free products, ensure adequate ventilation, especially after bringing new sources of VOCs into your home or office, and consider using indoor plants to absorb these compounds.