Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that can evaporate into the air under normal conditions:
Definition: VOCs are organic compounds with low water solubility and high vapor pressure. They are carbon-based compounds, excluding carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other specific compounds.
Examples: Common VOCs include benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, and xylene.
Sources: VOCs are found in thousands of products, including paints, cleaning supplies, building materials, and office equipment. They can also be by-products of water treatment or petroleum fuels.
Health effects: Exposure to VOCs can have a variety of health effects. VOCs can exacerbate allergic reactions, and can cause sensory irritation when inhaled.
Indoor concentrations: VOC concentrations indoors are often up to ten times higher than outdoors.
Volatility: A substance's volatility describes how easily it vaporizes. Substances with high volatility are more likely to be a vapor, while substances with low volatility are more likely to be a liquid or solid.