Indoor air pollution – VOCs

VOCs are one of the big bads when it comes to indoor air quality. You want to limit them in your home; which luckily, nowadays isn’t that tough.

WHAT ARE VOCS?

VOCs or volatile organic compounds are chemical substances released by things like oil-based paints, carpet padding, and literally hundreds of other items. While in your home, products containing VOCs evaporate easily and release harmful fumes and gases into your home.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

VOCs can cause breathing problems, can irritate your eyes and nose, and may cause inflammation, coughing and headaches. The EWG notes that VOCs have also been shown to cause organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), cancer, birth or developmental effects, brain and nervous system problems, reproduction and fertility problems, and can harm your immune system (including sensitization and allergies).

A major risk occurs because VOCs cause more problems inside than outside. Research has found that indoor VOC levels average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoor levels. For example, after immediate exposure to something like paint stripping, the VOCs levels in your house can be up to 1,000 times greater than outdoor levels.

WHAT YOU CAN DO…

• Obviously you need to know the products that may contain VOCs so you can avoid them. A pretty long list of products with VOCs can be found at the NYC Department of Health website.
• You can also clear your home of any products containing VOCs – just make sure to dispose of any hazardous household VOC waste properly. For example don’t toss old paint down the drain or outside – take it to a disposal facility.
• There’s no standard labeling system for VOCs, but you can look for products that have low-VOC or no VOC labels as many companies now make low and zero-VOC products.
• Avoid icky conventional spray air fresheners and aerosol products.
• Avoid toxic cleaners and instead buy natural store bought cleaners or make homemade green cleaners.
• Open your windows. If VOCs are in your home, one of the best things you can do is allow air to circulate. Open windows once in a while, even in winter are a key step to improving your indoor air quality.
• Buy natural organic bedding and other natural and organic home textiles including cloth covered furniture and carpets. New carpets emit VOCs and while many organizations feel that carpet VOCs are generally very low and not harmful, you should take it with a grain of salt. There needs to be more research. You can look for carpets that carry the “green label” and have your carpet installer air your carpet out for a few days before installing.
• Grow indoor plants that help clean your air.
• If you build a new home, work with a green architect and builders who use green building supplies.
• Avoid items made of pressed wood and particle board (like cheap furniture). Both pressed wood and particle board contain a lot of VOCs.

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