Volatile organic compounds are all around us, so you should at least get to know them. Did you know that industrial and pharmaceutical companies manufacture most of the VOCs found in everyday products?
When most folks hear the term volatile organic compounds, pollution and toxic chemicals often come to mind but VOCs were initially natural elements that were good for the environment. That’s still the case, but modern science tends to mimic nature’s processes with synthetic compounds.
Unfortunately, synthetically produced VOCs upset the natural balance and often cause harm. This post examines the basics of volatile organic compounds and see what makes them beneficial and harmful to our daily lives.
It will also cover a few examples of volatile organic compounds and review their major sources.
What Are Volatile Organic Compounds?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that can exist in both solid or liquid form and easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. They have carbon and hydrogen atoms, with other elements like oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. They ooze from daily products like soap, paint, cosmetics, and fuels.
VOCs are also present in natural sources such as plants, animals, and even the human body. These compounds play important roles in natural processes like plant growth, communication among living organisms, and protection against insects and other predators.
What Are the Chemical Characteristics of VOCs?
As mentioned, volatile organic compounds contain carbon and hydrogen atoms but can also have other elements like oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. They’re super reactive due to the double bonds between the carbon atoms. This reactivity makes them unstable so they easily evaporate into the air.
VOCs can exist in different forms, such as gasses, liquids, or solids. They have a low boiling point and high vapor pressure, meaning they can easily turn into gasses at room temperature. This property allows them to dissipate into the air and move throughout the environment quickly.
You can learn more about concepts like this by reading, “What Is the Study of Organic Chemistry?“
What Are the Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds?
VOCs originate from both natural and anthropogenic (human-made) sources. Let’s go over every category of major VOC sources.
1. Industrially Manufactured Products
Many industrial processes produce VOCs as a byproduct. Paints, coatings, adhesives, and cleaning products all release volatile organic compounds into the air. These products contain chemicals like benzene, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, etc.
2. Common Everyday Products
Besides industrial products, many household items release VOCs into the air. These include cleaning supplies, air fresheners, deodorants, and personal care products like hairspray and perfumes.
Carpets, furniture, and building materials can also emit VOCs into indoor environments.
3. Transportation
Fossil fuels are among the most common air pollutants globally. VOCs emanate when combustion engines are running in cars, trucks, planes, or motorbikes.
Vehicle exhaust contains chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde, contributing to air pollution. Even electric vehicles release some VOCs, which are only minimal compared to combustion engines.
4. Natural Sources
As mentioned earlier, plants and animals also produce volatile organic compounds. Trees emit VOCs through their leaves, contributing to the distinct smell of forests.
Thanks to these compounds, nature gives us sweet, alluring scents like flowers, fruits, and herbs. Some are useful, while other aromas drive away predators or attract pollinators.
Cutting down trees for lumber releases VOCs into the air. Decomposing organic matter, such as leaves and soil, also emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Lightning strikes can also create nitrogen oxides, which react with other chemicals in the atmosphere to form VOCs.
Examples of Volatile Organic Compounds
Here are some common examples of volatile organic compounds:
- Formaldehyde: This chemical is present in many household products, including cleaning supplies, cosmetics, and furniture. Beware, as it could irritate your eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Long-term exposure may even lead to cancer.
- Benzene: Found in gasoline and vehicle emissions, this chemical is a known carcinogen. People who inhale high levels of benzene may experience dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
- Toluene: This VOC comes from paints, adhesives, and varnishes. Breathing in high levels of toluene can cause dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
- Acetone: Commonly used in nail polish remover, this chemical escapes from paint thinners and adhesives. Short-term exposure to acetone can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.
- Xylene is found in gasoline, vehicle emissions, and some household products such as cleaning agents and pesticides. Evade high-level exposure to avoid confusion, dizziness, headache, and nausea. Long-term exposure may even lead to liver and kidney damage.
- Methanol: This VOC is found in many industrial processes and some household products, such as cleaning agents and paints. Breathing in high levels of methanol can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eye irritation.
What Are the Impacts of Volatile Organic Compounds?
We’ve discussed how natural VOCs positively impact the environment, but what about man-made VOCs?
Most man-made VOC emissions come from industrial processes and human activities such as transportation and energy production. These emissions contribute to air pollution, negatively impacting our health and environment.
The Environmental Impacts of VOCs
When man-made VOCs ooze into the air, they often react with other air pollutants, forming ground-level ozone and smog. It creates poor air quality and contributes to climate change.
Some VOCs have been linked to the depletion of the Earth’s ozone layer, which shields us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.
When VOCs escape into the atmosphere, they can contribute to acid rain, damaging forests, crops, lakes, and other ecosystems. They can also harm plant and animal life, disrupting food chains and damaging biodiversity.
The Health Impacts of VOCs
Indoor air pollution caused by high levels of VOC emissions in buildings has been linked to what’s known as “Sick Building Syndrome.” Symptoms include respiratory issues like:
- Asthma attacks.
- Headaches.
- Fatigue.
- Allergies reactions.
The health effects you get from VOCs depend on the duration and intensity of your exposure. Inflammation and irritation are signs of short-term exposure, and you should take immediate actions to avoid long-term exposure, which often comes with liver damage and cancer.
VOCs and Indoor Air Quality
As energy-efficient homes become more common, they’re also becoming more tightly sealed. While it saves money on heating and cooling costs, it also traps indoor air pollutants like VOCs inside, leading to poor indoor air quality.
To improve the indoor air quality in your home or workplace, consider using products with low VOC emissions and regularly ventilating the space to allow for fresh air to enter. You can also use plants known to absorb harmful chemicals, such as spider plants and Boston ferns.
To reduce our exposure to VOCs, we must be mindful of the products we use and the environments we frequent.
Regulations and Control Measures
Governments have implemented regulations and control measures for VOC emissions to avoid long-term exposure to people and other environments. These include:
- Setting limits on VOC emissions from industrial sources.
- Requiring products to have VOC labels.
- Mandating proper disposal of materials containing high levels of VOCs.
By adhering to these regulations, companies can minimize their impact on air quality and reduce the potential harm caused by VOCs.
However, we should always consciously decide to actively reduce our overall VOC emissions. It could include opting for eco-friendly cleaning products or choosing low-VOC paint when repainting.
Reduce Volatile Organic Compounds in Your Home
There are several ways to reduce VOCs in your home and improve indoor air quality:
- Choose low or zero VOC products: Look for products that have low or no VOC emissions labels.
- Properly store chemicals: Keep household cleaners, paints, and other chemical products in a well-ventilated area.
- Use natural alternatives: Instead of using harsh chemical cleaners, opt for natural alternatives like vinegar and baking soda.
- Increase ventilation: Open windows when possible to allow fresh air to circulate throughout your home.
- Avoid smoking indoors: Cigarette smoke contains high levels of VOCs, so it’s best to avoid smoking indoors. Quitting altogether is even better!
- Maintain indoor plants: Certain plants, such as aloe vera and peace lilies, can help absorb VOCs from the air.
Understanding and navigating our relationship with VOCs is a prime example of the application of chemistry in daily life! By actively reducing our VOC emissions, we can improve the air quality in our homes and contribute to a healthier environment.