Volatle Organic Compounds VOCs

Many items in your house emit what is known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) the paint that's on the walls, cleaners you use, vinyl, building materials, concrete, plasterboard, etc..   Inhaling these fumes daily can be hazardous to your health. The tighter the seals on your house, the greater the buildup of VOCs.    The best remedy is to air out your house.  The EPA states:
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. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.
It's worthwhile visiting the EPA site to see steps to reduce VOCs in your home.

How do I reduce the levels of VOCs in my home?

The most effective action is to remove the product that gives off VOCs. Most products containing VOCs will off-gas within a short period of time, although some will continue to give off VOCs for a longer period of time.
Some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to VOC in the home are:
1. Source control:  Remove or reduce the number of products in your home that give off VOCs. Only purchase amounts of chemicals that you know you will use and carefully follow directions on product labels. Remove unused chemicals from the home because stored chemicals in closed containers can sometimes “leak” and release VOCs into indoor air. Check with city or county for household waste collection sites.  For new items consider purchasing:
  • floor models that have been allowed to off-gas in the store
  • solid wood items with low emitting finishes
  • new products that contain low or no VOCs (environmentally preferable products)
As a last resort, airtight sealers have been used to minimize VOC emissions. Check with vendors of composite wood products to choose a non-toxic sealant to reduce exposure to VOCs.
2. Ventilation and climate control can be used to reduce exposure to VOCs.
  • Increase ventilation by opening doors and windows, use fans, maximize air brought in from outside;
  • Keep both the temperature and relative humidity as low as possible or comfortable. Chemicals will off-gas more under warmer conditions with high humidity; and
  • If you have a choice, perform renovations when home is unoccupied or during seasons that will allow for additional ventilation.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER CHECKED OUT THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY:  YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO CHECK IT OUT.
 CLICK HERE
USGS IS A WAREHOUSE OF INFORMATION -- CHECK OUT THEIR DATA ON VOC's
 I find a good way to safeguard myself, is to open the windows now and then.  I wait for a day in the 40s in the Winter and cooler days in the Summer (central air) and just open the window for little as ten minutes.  If freshens the entire house and is just a pleasant experience.  So, go ahead and open the window now and then in the winter just for a few minutes and you'll notice a world of difference.

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