What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.

Sources: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents, aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, moth repellents and air fresheners, stored fuels and automotive products, dry-cleaned clothing, pesticide

Health Effects: Eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination and nausea, damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system, cancer.

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