VOCs: Sources, Risks, & Air Purifiers

Do you know what’s in the air around you? Not just dust and pollen, but also VOCs, which are much more sneaky.

Everything from cleaning products to furniture gives off these volatile organic compounds, which can be very bad for your health.

But don’t worry yet; there is a way out.

With the right air purifier, you can breathe easy knowing that these harmful substances won’t get into your lungs.

In this article, I’ll tell you all you need to know about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and how an air purifier can help keep you and your family safe.

So sit back, take a deep breath, and get ready to learn why clean air is important.

Understanding VOCs and Their Effects on Indoor Air Quality

Understanding VOCs and Their Sources

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that don’t mix well with water and have a high vapor pressure.

They come out of some solids or liquids as gases and contain many different chemicals, some of which may be bad for your health in the short and long term.

Many VOCs are chemicals that are made by people and are used to make paints, medicines, and air conditioners.

Petroleum fuels, hydraulic fluids, paint thinners, and dry cleaning agents often contain VOCs.

They also often pollute the water in the ground.

Both natural and man-made things can release VOCs into the air.

Trees make isoprenes and monoterpenes to keep bugs away and attract pollinators.

Emissions caused by people can come from the direct evaporation of chemical compounds into the air or from the incomplete burning of fossil fuels.

Some of the most common VOCs in a home are benzene (from paint), formaldehyde (from carpets), and toluene (from cigarettes) (glue).

VOCs are in the air both inside and outside.

Many VOCs are always more concentrated inside (up to ten times more concentrated) than outside.

Health Effects of VOCs

VOCs can have different effects on your health depending on the compound, concentration, and length of time you are exposed to them.

If you are exposed, you might get irritated eyes, nose, and throat, feel sick, and have trouble breathing.

VOCs have also been linked to long-term health problems like asthma and cancer.

The risk that a chemical will hurt your health depends on how much of it is in the air, how long you breathe it in, and how often you do it.

Some people may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in low levels of VOCs for a long time.

Sources of VOCs

VOCs are released by many things, such as fuels and products used to burn them, carpeting, vinyl flooring, fabric materials and furniture, air fresheners, and other scented products.

VOCs can also come from things like perfume, shampoo, and other personal items that employees use, as well as pesticides that were used on the site before.

Reducing Exposure to VOCs

Use products that give off fewer VOCs, improve ventilation when using products that give off VOCs, and store products with VOCs in the right way to reduce your exposure to them.

People are also told to use air cleaners that can get rid of VOCs.

The EPA has rules about how VOCs can be released into the air so that ozone, which is a part of photochemical smog, doesn’t form.

Certain solids or liquids give off gases called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

VOCs are made up of many different chemicals, some of which may be harmful to your health in the short and long term.

Many VOCs are always more concentrated inside (up to ten times more concentrated) than outside.

VOCs can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat.

They can also give you headaches, make you feel sick, and hurt your liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.

Some VOCs can give animals cancer, and some are thought to or known to give people cancer.

Use products that give off fewer VOCs, improve ventilation when using products that give off VOCs, and store products with VOCs in the right way to reduce your exposure to them.

People are also told to use air cleaners that can get rid of VOCs.

The EPA has rules about how VOCs can be released into the air so that ozone, which is a part of photochemical smog, doesn’t form.

Health Risks Associated with VOC Exposure and Ways to Reduce Exposure

Understanding VOCs and Their Health Effects

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that can evaporate into the air.

They are found in thousands of everyday products, such as paint, varnish, wax, and many cleaning, degreasing, and beauty products.

Exposure to VOC vapors can hurt your health in many ways, such as by irritating your eyes, nose, and throat, giving you headaches, making you lose your balance, making you feel sick, or hurting your liver, kidneys, or central nervous system.

Some VOCs may or are known to cause cancer.

Indoor Air Quality and VOCs

Many VOCs are always more concentrated indoors than outdoors, and studies show that people with asthma or who are very sensitive to chemicals may have worse symptoms if they are exposed to VOCs.

Some people may be more likely to get sick if they breathe in low levels of VOCs for a long time.

The risk that a chemical will hurt your health depends on how much of it is in the air, how long you breathe it in, and how often you do it.

Sources of VOCs

Vapors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air by places like dry cleaners, auto body shops, painting and coating shops, and gas engines.

VOCs are also a common pollutant at sites where chemical spills or improper handling have contaminated the soil.

At these sites, VOCs can get into the groundwater and move to other places.

VOCs are part of the network in Minnesota that checks for toxics in the air because they help make ground-level ozone.

Detecting and Minimizing VOCs in Your Home

If you think your home has a lot of VOCs, you can find them in a few different ways.

An indoor air quality monitor is one tool you can use to find VOCs in your home.

These devices can measure the quality of the air in your home and send you a report on things like volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

You can also look at the labels on the chemicals you buy to find VOCs.

The labels tell you what’s in the product and can help you find ones that have VOCs.

You can also find VOCs in your home with a photoionization detector (PID).

With ultraviolet (UV) light, this device can test a wide range of chemicals.

Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors can also be used to find VOCs in your home.

There are a few things you can do to cut down on VOCs in your home.

First, make sure your home has enough air flow by opening windows often to let in fresh air.

Second, use paint and flooring materials that are certified to have low or no VOCs.

Third, change the air filters in your indoor fans and HVAC systems on a regular basis.

Lastly, change the humidity in your home to make it less likely that mold will grow, which can increase the amount of VOCs.

Activated Carbon: The Key to Removing VOCs from Your Air

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals that can be found in the air we breathe.

They are released from common household items such as cleaning products, paints, and furniture.

To combat this issue, air purifiers have become increasingly popular.

One of the most effective ways to remove VOCs from the air is through the use of activated carbon.

Activated carbon is a highly porous material that is able to trap and absorb VOCs, preventing them from circulating in the air.

The carbon is treated with oxygen to create millions of tiny pores between the carbon atoms, increasing its surface area and making it more effective at capturing pollutants.

When used in air purifiers, activated carbon filters can significantly improve indoor air quality by removing harmful VOCs and other pollutants.

For more information:

Activated Carbon: Air Purifier Benefits & FAQs

Methods for Detecting and Removing VOCs in the Home

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases that come off of some solids or liquids and can hurt your health in the short and long term.

VOCs can be found in paints, furniture, and cleaning products, among other things.

Many VOCs are always more concentrated inside than outside, so it’s important to cut down on VOC exposure at home.

Sources of VOCs in the Home

VOCs come from many things in the home, like paints, paint strippers, and other solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleaners, and disinfectants, moth repellents, new cabinets, furniture, and beds, and new carpets, rugs, and wood floors.

VOCs are also found in cleaners, air fresheners, and the smoke from stoves, candles, and cigarettes.

The Importance of Ventilation

VOCs are more likely to be in higher amounts in houses that are well sealed and insulated.

To reduce your exposure to VOCs, you should open windows and use exhaust fans to improve ventilation.

Change the air filters in your home’s fans and HVAC systems on a regular basis, and set up alerts to remind you to do so.

Run a fan or open a window when cooking inside, and don’t use perfumes or plug-in air fresheners that are made to release VOCs at a certain rate so that the desired scent stays in the air.

Reducing Exposure to VOCs

It is best to use and buy low-VOC products to lower the amount of VOCs in your home.

In order to follow the rules, many manufacturers are lowering the amount of certain VOCs in many products.

Some products, like GreenGuard, Green Seal, and Eurofins, also have certifications from the industry that say they have low VOCs.

It is also a good idea to check the home for common places where VOCs come from.

When painting, it’s important to follow the directions on the label carefully and get rid of old or unused chemicals in a safe way.

It is also recommended to buy certified low-VOC or no-VOC paint and keep the work area well-ventilated until the paint dries.

Solvent-based paints have more volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than water-based paints.

Another way to cut down on VOCs is to use baking soda.

Baking soda is alkaline, so it reacts with acids (like most VOCs) to get rid of the smell.

Also, it’s important to get rid of as many things as possible that you don’t need, like extra chemicals, toxic air fresheners, and old plastic containers.

Think carefully about what new things you bring into your home, and switch to cleaning products that aren’t dangerous.

Using Air Purifiers

Lastly, think about using air purifiers to cut down on VOCs and off-gassing.

VOCs can get into the air, and air purifiers can help get rid of them.

This makes them a useful tool for reducing your exposure to VOCs.

Sources of VOCs in the Home and Natural Ways to Reduce Them

VOCs are dangerous gases that can be found in the air inside your home.

These gases can give you headaches, make you feel dizzy, and make it hard to breathe.

There are a few types of air purifiers that can effectively get rid of VOCs in the air inside.

Types of Air Purifiers

Most air purifiers for home use have filters or sorbents that can physically catch VOCs.

Some air purifiers also use chemicals to get rid of VOCs, like photocatalytic oxidation or ionization with ultraviolet light, plasma technology, or carbon-titanium-dioxide filters.

PECO Technology

The best air cleaners to get rid of VOCs are ones that use Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) technology.

PECO destroys VOCs as they pass through the filter, making it a long-term solution to VOCs.

Activated Carbon Filtration

Short-term help can also come from filtering the water with activated carbon.

Because it has a carbon filter, the Alen BreatheSmart air purifier for chemicals and VOCs is the best filter for getting rid of VOCs from indoor air.

The Blueair air purifier can also get rid of VOCs from the air inside.

It has several carbon filters that get rid of smells and VOC gases.

The Mila air purifier is another powerful device that can purify the air in a room of up to 1000 square feet in just 15 minutes.

The HATHASPACE HSP001 air purifier is another good choice for cleaning indoor air of VOCs and formaldehyde.

Filter Replacement

To keep an air purifier’s ability to get rid of VOCs, the carbon filter should be changed every three to six months.

But how often you need to change the filter depends on things like the air quality, the environment, and how often you use the air purifier.

You may need to change the filter more often if you have pets or live in a dusty area.

Some air purifiers have a light that turns on when the filter needs to be changed.

Other Types of Filters

Air purifiers also use HEPA filters, which need to be replaced every 12 to 18 months.

Every 30 days, you have to clean and replace the pre-filters.

Permanent filters need to be cleaned every three months and replaced when they are broken.

It is important to change the filters in your air purifier on a regular basis because a filter that is full of pollutants will lose its effectiveness over time.

As dust, pet dander, and other allergens and particles get caught in these filters as air moves through them, they build up over time until the filter is full.

When a filter is full of pollutants, it can’t catch new ones as well, and air can’t move through it as well as before.

Maintaining Air Purifier Effectiveness and Improving Indoor Air Quality

Reducing VOCs in Your Home

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases that are given off by some chemicals.

Many of these chemicals are found in cleaning products and other everyday items.

When there are a lot of VOCs in your home, it can be dangerous to breathe.

There are natural ways to get rid of VOCs in your home, which is good news.

Increase Ventilation

One way to cut down on VOCs is to let more air into your home.

This can be done by opening windows and doors, using exhaust fans, and putting in a mechanical ventilation system.

By adding ventilation, cognitive scores can go up by 101%.

Change the air filters in your home’s fans and HVAC systems on a regular basis, and set up alerts to remind you to do so.

If you’re cooking inside, run a fan or open a window.

If you’re grilling outside, close the door.

Plants

Plants are great at getting rid of VOCs like formaldehyde and odors as well.

You might want to add plants to your home to help cut down on VOCs.

Choose Low VOC Building Materials and Furnishings

Another way to cut down on VOCs is to buy new building materials and furniture with low VOCs.

You can also let new furniture air out in the garage for a few weeks before bringing it into the house.

VOCs can also be cut down in the home by using natural cleaners and not using synthetic air fresheners.

VOCs can be cut down with cleaners made at home with white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.

Be Aware of Sources of VOCs

It’s also important to know where VOCs come from in your home and not store chemicals you don’t need, like paints, glues, cleaning products, aerosol sprays, stored fuels, and other auto products.

Look for signs of high VOC levels, like headaches, itchy eyes and nose, sore throat, nausea, and asthma symptoms that get worse for no reason.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Several low-cost or free steps can be taken to improve the quality of the air inside.

Control the Sources of Pollution

The first step is to get rid of the things that cause pollution.

This can be done by not smoking indoors, cleaning with natural products, and using less stuff that gives off VOCs.

Ensure Adequate Ventilation

The second step is to make sure there is enough air flow.

This can be done by opening windows and doors, using exhaust fans, and putting in a mechanical ventilation system.

Use Supplemental Air Cleaning and Filtration

The third step is to use extra cleaning and filtering of the air.

This can be done with air purifiers, which can get rid of dust, pollen, and pet dander, among other things.

Control Moisture

To improve the quality of the air inside, you should also control moisture and keep humidity below 60% (ideally, between 30 and 50%).

Fixing leaks, using exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen, and, if necessary, using a dehumidifier are all ways to do this.

Cleaning and replacing the air filters in your heating and cooling system on a regular basis can also help improve the quality of the air inside your home.

Indoor airPLUS Label

Look for the Indoor airPLUS label if you are looking for a new home.

Homes with the Indoor airPLUS label are built so that the air quality inside is better than in homes built to the minimum code.

Air Quality Testing

You can also hire a professional to test the air quality and offer extra services to help deal with any pollution sources that are found during the test.

Conclusion

In the end, VOCs are a big problem for both our health and the environment.

Even though air purifiers can help lower the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in our homes, it’s important to remember that they’re not a complete solution.

We should also choose products with low VOCs, improve ventilation, and use less harsh chemicals in our homes to cut down on our exposure to VOCs.

As the owner of an air purifier, it’s important to maintain it and change the filters on a regular basis to make sure it works well.

And if you are thinking about buying an air purifier, you should do your research and choose one that is made to get rid of VOCs.

In the end, the best way to avoid VOCs is to be careful about the products we use and the air we breathe.

We can make a healthier and more stable future for ourselves and future generations by taking small steps to reduce our impact on the environment.

So, let’s take a moment to think about what we do every day and how we can make small changes to reduce our exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Together, we can change things and make the world a cleaner, healthier place for everyone.