By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    physical health
    5 Ways Playing Games Can Improve Neural and Physical Health
    September 9, 2022
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
    September 10, 2025
    7 Most Common Healthcare Accreditation Programs: Which Should You Use?
    August 20, 2025
    Hospital Pest Control and the Fight Against Superbugs
    August 20, 2025
    Hygiene Beyond The Clinic: Attention To Overlooked Non-Clinical Spaces
    August 13, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    5 Basic Types Of Eye Tests That Are Part Of An Eye Exam
    September 24, 2018
    Knowledge About Malpractice Lawsuits Can Give You Some Peace | Healthcare Career Resources
    Knowledge About Malpractice Lawsuits Can Give You Some Peace
    September 18, 2020
    How Your Job Can Impact Your Health
    December 11, 2018
    Latest News
    Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
    September 9, 2025
    How Social Security Disability Shapes Access to Care and Everyday Health
    August 22, 2025
    How a DUI Lawyer Can Help When Your Future Health Feels Uncertain
    August 22, 2025
    How One Fall Can Lead to a Long Road of Medical Complications
    August 22, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What Are VOCs? Here Is How To Avoid Them
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Home Health > What Are VOCs? Here Is How To Avoid Them
Home Health

What Are VOCs? Here Is How To Avoid Them

emilyfolk
emilyfolk
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

  Modern life has changed the way we spend our time. According to the EPA, the average American spends 90% of their time indoors, from the office during the day to home at night. As a result, interior air quality has become an essential metric to consider when you’re investigating how healthy your home or business is. One of the biggest threats to interior air quality are VOCs. What are VOCs, and what can you do to avoid them?

Contents
  • What Are VOCs?
  • Where Do VOCs Come From?
  • How to Avoid VOCs
  • Be Aware and Stay Safe

What Are VOCs?

VOC is an acronym for volatile organic compounds. Certain liquids and solids emit gasses into the atmosphere. Outdoors, these VOCs can dissipate. In an enclosed environment, however, they can concentrate and reach dangerous levels quickly. According to the EPA, VOC concentrations are consistently up to 10 times higher indoors than outdoors. Even common pollutants tend to be two to five times more potent indoors than out. Nevertheless, VOCs are often more dangerous because people typically use them in enclosed spaces.

Where Do VOCs Come From?

If you’ve ever looked at a label that instructs you to use a product in a well-ventilated area, you’ve likely come across a product that contains VOCs. These compounds can originate from anything, from cleaners and disinfectants to fuel, air fresheners, pesticides and dry-cleaned clothing. Hair spray, nail polish, acetone in nail polish remover, etc. — if it has a strong smell, the chances are high that it leaves behind VOCs. Are you a fan of the smell of a new car? That odor is probably one of the most recognizable VOCs around, caused by the newly molded plastics in the interior emitting gas. Many of the products we use daily emit VOCs — even when packaged — and encountering these compounds can cause several different health problems, from headaches to upper respiratory infections.

How to Avoid VOCs

Now that you know what they are, what can you do to avoid VOCs? Start by determining the source of the compounds in your home or business. This step might take a little bit of research because, while products that don’t emit VOCs will say so on the label, those that do prefer not to advertise it. When you’re purchasing new products, make sure you opt for those that don’t emit VOCs or emit low levels. Paint, for example, is one of the biggest culprits when you’re worried about VOCs in the home. Standard paint VOCs take 14 days to dissipate while low-VOC paint takes less than half that time. If you have to use products that emit VOCs, make sure you’re using them in a well-ventilated area. Keep the air flowing to prevent them from concentrating in one spot. If you purchase new furniture or carpeting, which can also be a source of VOCs, let them off-gas for a few days outdoors or in the garage to prevent bringing chemicals into your home. There are testing tools available to detect the amount of VOCs in an area. However, unless you are extremely sensitive to one type of VOC, these aren’t necessary for the average homeowner. You can make a difference just by reducing the number of VOC-emitting products in your house and being aware of their presence.

More Read

boomer voice hearing loss apps
Boomer Voice: Digital Devices Help Reconnect the Hearing Impaired
Will the U.S. Lead on Global Health? Start with Vaccination.
HIPAA Basics For Licensed Health Care Professionals: Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules
Elder Financial Abuse Spikes 12% Since 2008
Practical Tips for Filtering Indoor Air

Be Aware and Stay Safe

How much time do you spend each day indoors? No matter your routine, making small changes — such as getting rid of products that contain high levels of VOCs and using necessary ones in well-ventilated areas — can make an enormous difference in the interior air quality of your home or business. Keeping the air clean will keep everyone healthy, too.

TAGGED:chemicalshealthproductspublic healthVOCVOCswellness
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Home HealthWellness

How to Disinfect Your Home or Office to Prevent Infection

February 23, 2018

The Government’s Diet Advice Is Not Evidence-Based

May 18, 2011
Wellness

Health Leads To Wealth: Your Guide To Keeping Your Business Healthy

March 24, 2020

Cartoon Characters Impact Kids’ Cereal Preferences

April 15, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?