What are VOCs & why you should measure

WHY ARE VOCs IMPORTANT?

VOCs can cause serious health effects in both the short and long term. Health effects vary from minor eye, nose and throat irritations all the way to liver and kidney damage, depending on the level of exposure.

Short term effects

Headache

Nose, throat, eye inflammation

Coughing, painful breathing

Pneumonia, bronchitis

Skin irritation

Long term effects

Affects the central nervous system (headache, anxiety)

Cardiovascular diseases

Respiratory diseases (asthma, cancer)

Impacts on liver, spleen, blood

Impact on the reproductive system

Indoor air is often up to 5x more polluted than outdoor air.

We spend 90% of our time indoors.

WHERE DO

VOCs

COME FROM?

They come from an array of everyday items including paints and varnishes, wax and cosmetics, cleaning and hobby products, and even cooking and human breath. When you have an enclosed space like a home or office, these emitted gases accumulate and pollute our fresh air.

Candles and fires

Anything that burns gives off fumes. Fireplaces and scented candles are especially harmful, so keep an eye on your levels while using them.

Fragrances

Mothballs, room deodorizers and perfumes—anything with a fragrance, contain chemicals that should be avoided.

Cooking fumes

Cooking also creates gases that can be toxic. Always use a hood fan or open a window while cooking indoors. And keep the door closed when grilling outdoors.

New furniture

New furniture, carpet, drapes, mattresses all contain chemicals and sometimes formaldehyde which slowly release into the air, often for years after you bring them home.

Cleaning products

While cleaning with soaps, detergents, furniture polish and glass cleaners, be aware of terpenes and ethanol and ventilate accordingly. Or look for low VOC products.

Craft products

Glue, paints, fabrics, wax, dyes, many craft products contain VOCs. Be sure to ventilate while using them.

Children’s toys

Some hard plastics contain formaldehyde and fabrics emit toxins and attract dust mites. Look for BPA-free plastics or avoid plastics altogether, and wash toys regularly and before use.

Paints and varnishes

Lacquers, paint, industrial glues, paint thinner and harsh chemicals should be kept in a garage away from the home —even when they are locked tight they emit chemicals into the air.

VENTILATION
AND FILTRATION

Regularly replace air filters in indoor fan systems and install a Total VOC monitor to remind you when to refresh your home. Create alerts to remind you when to change filters.

REDUCE

SOURCES OF TOTAL

VOCs

Strong odors in new or renovated indoor environments give you that “new car smell” but it is not always good. Off-gassing from new furnishings, engineered wood products, carpets, flooring, cabinets, paints, stains, varnishes, caulking, adhesives and many other materials release chemicals and odors that are harmful. Choose low VOC products and ventilate as much as possible in the first few months/weeks to lessen that “new car smell” and it’s negative effects.

Store all known toxic products like paint, varnishes, heavy cleaning supplies, etc. separate from your home in a shed or garage. Avoid buying products with high VOCs in bulk and try to reduce the amount of products you purchase that contain them.

Buy used furniture and purchase low VOC and environmentally friendly cleaning products whenever possible. Check toxins in candles, fragrances and craft products before buying.

And of course, ventilate!

WHAT DO MY
airborne chemicals (VOCs)
LEVELS MEAN?

0-250 ppb

The VOC contents in the air are low.

250 to 2000 ppb

Look for VOC sources if this average level persists for a month.

> 2000 ppb

The VOC contents are very high – consider taking action/ventilating right now.

WHAT ARE
AIRBORNE CHEMICALS (VOCs)?

WHY ARE VOCs IMPORTANT?