VOCs come from vehicle exhaust, paint thinners, solvents, and other petroleum-based products. A number of exhaust VOCs are also toxic, with the potential to cause cancer.
VOCs can be released by human or natural source, and can react with the atmosphere to form ground-level ozone, and to a lesser degree, acid rain. Some VOCs, like the fumes from numerous interior products (glues, paints, cabinets, carpets and pads, furniture, etc.) are toxic, and can cause a range of health problems from occasional headaches to allergic reactions, depending on the concentration and the sensitivity of the individual. "Least toxic" products are those which contain levels of VOCs below what the EPA or other credible sources have determined to be safe levels. In some cases, a "least toxic" product may be preferable to a "non-toxic" product for reasonable performance. For additional assurance, consider mechanical ventilation with an air-to-air heat exchanger that gives fresh air without wasting heat.
Any organic compound which evaporates readily to the atmosphere, thereby contributing to photochemical smog production and certain health problems.
Organic chemicals that evaporate readily into the atmosphere, providing a path for transport through the environment.
( VOCs) Organic molecules that are mainly composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms ( hydrocarbons). The most common volatile organic compound release into the atmosphere is methane. Involved in the formation of photochemical smog.
VOCs are found in a wide variety of consumer products from paints, solvents, and adhesives to carpeting, deodorants, and cleaning fluids. When released into the air, they react with other chemicals to create ozone in the lower atmosphere, impacting human health. They can also have direct air quality impacts inside buildings when off-gassed by indoor paints, carpeting, and adhesives. Nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) are a type of VOC.
Hydrocarbon-based emissions released through evaporation or combustion. The term VOC is usually used in regard to stationary emission sources.
Organic compounds that if released into the atmosphere can form ozone in the presence of heat and sunlight. VOCs include gasoline fumes, benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and tetrachloroethylene. Many VOCs are also HAPs (for example benzene, causes cancer).
Chemicals that produce vapors readily. At room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, vapors escape easily from volatile liquid chemicals. Volatile organic chemicals include gasoline, industrial chemicals such as benzene, solvents such as toluene and xylene, and tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, the principal dry cleaning solvent). Many volatile organic chemicals are also hazardous air pollutants; for example, benzene causes cancer.
Contain hydrogen (H), carbon (C) and evaporate easily.
Materials that evaporate, either through use or during storage, from many household and industrial products made with organic chemicals. In sufficient quantities, VOCs are suspected of causing or exacerbating acute and chronic illnesses. Their effects may range from lung, skin, or eye irritation to releasing potentially cancer-causing properties.
VOCs are chemical compounds common in many building products: solvents in paints and other coatings; wood preservatives; strippers and household cleaners; adhesives in particleboard, fiberboard, and some plywoods; and foam insulation. When released, VOCs can contribute to the formation of smog and can cause respiratory tract problems, headaches, eye irritations, nausea, damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, and possibly cancer.
EPA has established a general definition of a VOC that is very broad. In effect, it states that “any compound of carbon†is classified as a VOC for regulatory purposes, unless it appears on a list of compounds that have been specifically exempted [40 CFR §51.100(s)]. With certain important exceptions, most solvents used in coatings, inks, adhesives, and consumer products are classified as VOCs.
VOCs are made as secondary petrochemicals. They include light alcohols, acetone, trichlorethylene, perchloroethylene, dichloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride, toluene, and methylene chloride. These potentially toxic chemicals are used as solvents, degreasers, paints, thinners, and fuels. Because of their volatile nature, they readily evaporate into the air, increasing the potential exposure to humans. Due to their low water solubility, environmental persistence, and wide-spread industrial use, they are commonly found in soil and groundwater.
Carbon compounds, like gasoline or acetone, that vaporize at a relatively low temperature. VOCs can contaminate the air and react with other gases in the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight, to form ozone or other photochemical oxidants.
Organic liquids, including many common solvents, that readily evaporate at temperatures normally found at ground surface and at shallow depths. They take part in atmospheric photochemical (sun-driven) reactions to produce smog.
Carbon-containing chemical compounds (e.g., solvents and styrene) that evaporate readily at ambient temperatures. Environmental, safety and health regulations often limit exposure to these compounds, so low VOC content is preferable.
(VOC) Emissions of non-methane hydrocarbons, measured by standard DEQ methods.
(VOC)- Organic compounds which evaporate into the air. Regulatory agencies are currently restricting and regulating organic compounds in all industries. Solvent based gym floor sealers and finishes are being reformulated to meet stricter VOC regulations.
Chemicals whose presence in the air may mean poor air quality. VOC's are found both in products themselves, as well as propellants that are added to disperse or apply products.
Emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, VOCs include substances—some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects—such as benzene, toluene, methylene chloride, and methyl chloroform.
Compounds that evaporate easily at room tempurature and often have a sharp smell. They can come from many products, such as office equipment, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, paints, solvents, and cleaning products. Some VOCs can cause cancer in certain situations, especially when they are concentrated indoors. VOCs also create ozone, a harmful outdoor air pollutant.
Are all organic compounds of an anthropogenic nature, other than methane, that are capable of producing photochemical oxidants by reaction with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight.
Chemicals that contain carbon and elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulphur or nitrogen. Examples are gasoline, benzene, formaldehyde and toluene as well as chemicals used in dry cleaning.
chemicals such as benzene, chloroform, methyl ethyl ketone and other chlorinated hydrocarbons that participate in the formation of ozone; evaporate easily (volatile) at room temperature and often have a recognizable odor; are emitted from transportation and industrial sources, such as automobile exhaust, gasoline/oil storage and transfer, chemical manufacturing, dry cleaners, paint shops and other facilities using solvents.
Compare? Any organic compound which evaporates readily to the atmosphere. VOCs contribute significantly to photochemical smog production and certain health problems.
Hydrocarbon compounds that exist in the ambient air. VOCs contribute to the formation of smog and/or may themselves be toxic. VOCs often have an odor, and some examples include gasoline, alcohol, and the solvents used in paints.
Compounds that evaporate from the many housekeeping, maintenance, and building products made with organic chemicals. These compounds are released from products that are being used and that air in storage. In sufficient quantities, VOCs can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment; some are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause cancer in humans. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur at the levels of VOCs typically found in public and commercial buildings.
Materials that evaporate from organic products and can cause acute and chronic illnesses.
organic materials which evaporate at normal temperatures and pressures; organic materials which have vapor pressures greater than 0.1 mm Hg at one atmosphere.
One of a group of carbon-containing compounds that evaporate readily at room temperature. Examples of VOCs include trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX).
Organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure relative to their water solubility. VOCs include components of gasoline, fuel oils, and lubricants, as well as organic solvents, fumigants, some inert ingredients in pesticides, and some by-products of chlorine disinfection.
Chemical compounds which easily evaporate into the atmosphere where they can react with sunlight to produce ground-level ozone, better known as smog.
Substances containing carbon and different proportions of other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, sulfur, or nitrogen; these substances easily become vapors or gases. A significant number of VOCs are commonly used as solvents (paint thinners, lacquer thinners, degreasers, and dry cleaning fluids).()
major air pollutants present in the atmosphere as vapor such as hydrocarbon fragments and evaporated organic compounds such as paint, gasoline, and cleaning solutions. They are a major component in the formation of smog.
Carbon compounds that tend to be emitted as gases into the air. 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 in use or in storage. EPA Volatile Organic Compounds Websites
Gases and vapours, such as benzene, released by petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, plastics manufacturing and the distribution and use of gasoline; VOCs include carcinogens and chemicals that react with sunlight and nitrogen oxides to form ground-level ozone, a component of smog.
Compounds that vaporize (become a gas) at room temperature. Common sources which may emit VOCs into indoor air include housekeeping and maintenance products, and building and furnishing materials. In sufficient quantities, VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritations, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, memory impairment; some are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur at the levels of VOCs typically found in public and commercial buildings.
Gases released into the air from certain solids or liquids such as gasoline, solvents, and paint thinner. They include a variety of chemicals that can have both short-term and long-term health effects as well as contribute to global warming.
(VOCs) are precursors of tropospheric ozone and photochemical smog. They are produced by human activities including the use of dry cleaning solvents.
These are an important class of air pollutant found in the atmosphere at ground level in urban and industrial centres. They are usually defined as carbon-containing organic compounds present in the atmosphere as gases, excluding elemental carbon, carbon monoxide, methane and carbon dioxide.
A measure of the total amount of organic compounds evaporating from a coating film, excluding water.
Any organic molecules which evaporate easily. They are often associated with unpleasant odors or noxious fumes.
Organic chemicals all contain the element carbon (C); organic chemicals are the basic chemicals found in living things and in products derived from living things, such as coal, petroleum and refined petroleum products. Many of the organic chemicals we use do not occur in Nature, but were synthesized by chemists in laboratories.
Organic compounds, such as gasoline, industrial chemicals, and solvents that participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions.
Organic chemicals that evaporate readily and exist as gases in the air.
Any one of several organic compounds which are released to the atmosphere by plants or through vaporization of oil products, and which are chemically reactive and are involved in the chemistry of tropospheric ozone production. VOCs contribute significantly to photochemical smog production and certain health problems.
are highly evaporative chemical substances that produce noxious fumes. VOCs are found in many paints, caulks, stains, vinyl products, and adhesives.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are any compound of carbon which participate in atmospheric photochemical reactions, except those which are specifically excluded, as defined in 40 CFR 51.100(s). Typically, a major source is 100 tons per year of emissions.
Carbon based gases given off by polymers, solvents or plasticizers.
organic contaminants including commercial chemicals and pesticides; commonly referred to as VOCs
substances such as solvents that are liquid at room temperature, but vaporise significantly and take part in the generation of ozone pollution in the lower atmosphere
Organic compounds (ie compounds of carbon) which evaporate at normal ambient temperatures. They have a detrimental effect on local air quality and contribute to smog.