Understanding VOC's
We hear about VOC’s all the time these days, particularly pertaining to harmful products that we bring into our homes. Many products will tout that they do not emit VOC’s and are therefore sustainable products. While it does help, there are so many more variables that make a product truly sustainable, and if possible we prefer a cradle-to-cradle product.
Let’s back up a minute though. What are VOC’s?
VOC’s, or Volatile Organic Compounds are carbon-containing organic compounds present in the form of gases.
These compounds are present in our interior spaces in large from the following sources:
Cigarettes
Solvents
Paints and Thinners
Adhesives
Hobby and craft supplies
Dry cleaning fluids
Building materials and furnishings
Copy machines
Air fresheners
Cleaners and disinfectants
Moth repellants
Pesticides
It is a combination of these compounds with nitrogen oxides that create smog.
Kind of makes us double-check our household products!
Trees offgas VOC’s. So do flowers.
In fact, anything that can be smelled is offgassing VOC’s. So, there absolutely is an acceptable level. What that level is will be up for debate and differs from one organization to the next. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has the lowest acceptable concentration at 16 ppb (parts per billion) in an 8-hour timeframe where others allow up to 750 ppb in the same timeframe. I generally tend to lean toward California’s requirements, which is 44 ppb in a 1 hour timeframe.
There are many purchasable meters for measuring interior air quality that can take these measurements. Most of these measure micrograms per cubic meter. Per this measurement, we are looking for:
Good: less than 0.3 mg/m3
Acceptable: 0.3- 0.5 mg/m3
Some concern: 0.5 - 1 mg/m3
High concern: 1- 3 mg/m3
How can I reduce the amount of VOC’s in my home?
Increase the ventilation in your home. There are minimums required by building code when remodeling or building new. Upgrading the ventilation in your kitchen and bathroom is a great way to reduce carcinogens and remove opportunities for molds/mildews. Opening windows is one of the most beneficial things we can do for our home’s health. Other options are home filtration systems and basic fans to increase air circulation.
Always follow instructions. Before spraying something in the air, review the instructions first. Open windows when using cleaners, paints, adhesives, etc. Opening a window every time something is sprayed into the air is ideal.
If possible, remove formaldehyde from the home. First, you need to know where formaldehyde problems exist. Here is a great blog post that discusses the testing and removal of formaldehyde, and the test mentioned in the article. If it is possible, identify and remove the source of formaldehyde.
Never mix household products unless directed to do so on the product label.
Let me know in the comments if you have any further information or questions, and be well!
References: ToxTown, Berkeley Lab, EPA, American Lung Association, Tecam
