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Volatile Organic Compounds, commonly referred to as VOCs, are a broad group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature.
Found in a wide range of products and industrial processes, VOCs are a significant focus in environmental science, public health, and regulatory policy due to their potential impacts on air quality and human health.
Despite their ubiquity, VOCs are often misunderstood.
What Are VOCs?
VOCs are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary room temperature.
This means they can readily transition from a liquid or solid state into a gas, releasing molecules into the air. The term "organic" in this context refers to the presence of carbon atoms in their molecular structure, often bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, or other elements.
The volatility of these compounds is what makes them particularly concerning. Once airborne, VOCs can contribute to indoor and outdoor air pollution, react with other atmospheric compounds, and in some cases, pose direct health risks to humans. These risks, along with the related regulatory requirements and associated operational cost, make VOCs a primary concern of facilities managers.
Common Sources of VOCs
VOCs are emitted from both natural and anthropogenic (human-made) sources. Naturally, they can be released by vegetation, wildfires, and microbial activity in soils. Most of the concern around VOCs, however, stems from human-related sources including:
- Consumer products: Paints, varnishes, cleaning agents, air fresheners, cosmetics, and adhesives often contain VOCs that are released during use and storage
- Industrial processes: Manufacturing, petrochemical refining, and solvent use are major industrial contributors
- Combustion: Vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and burning of fossil fuels release a variety of VOCs into the atmosphere
- Building materials: New carpets, flooring, composite wood products, and insulation materials can off-gas VOCs over time, especially in poorly ventilated indoor environments
VOCs in Indoor vs. Outdoor Air
While outdoor VOC emissions are a major environmental concern, indoor air quality is often more directly affected by VOCs. In fact, concentrations of VOCs indoors can be up to ten times higher than outdoors, particularly in spaces with limited ventilation.
Indoor VOCs are primarily released from household products and building materials. Because people spend a significant portion of their time indoors – at home, work, or school – exposure to indoor VOCs is a key public health issue.
Health Impacts of VOC Exposure
The health effects of VOCs vary widely depending on the specific compound, concentration, duration of exposure, and individual susceptibility. Some VOCs are relatively harmless at low levels, while others are known to be toxic or carcinogenic.
Short-term exposure to elevated levels of VOCs can cause:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Headaches and dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Worsening of asthma symptoms
Long-term exposure, particularly to certain VOCs like benzene, formaldehyde, and perchloroethylene, has been linked to more serious health outcomes, including:
- Liver and kidney damage
- Central nervous system effects
- Increased risk of cancer
Children, the elderly, and individuals with preexisting health conditions are generally more vulnerable to the effects of VOCs.
Environmental Impacts
Beyond human health, VOCs play a significant role in atmospheric chemistry. When released into the air, VOCs can react with nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, a major component of smog. This photochemical reaction is a key driver of urban air pollution and can have detrimental effects on respiratory health, ecosystems, and agricultural productivity.
Some VOCs also contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs), which are fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs and exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Regulation and Standards
Given their potential risks, VOCs are subject to regulation in many countries. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates VOC emissions through the Clean Air Act, particularly in relation to ozone formation. The EPA also sets limits for VOC content in consumer products and industrial processes.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides workplace exposure limits for specific VOCs, while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) oversee VOCs in consumer goods.
Strategies for Reducing VOC Exposure
Minimizing exposure to VOCs involves a combination of product choices, ventilation, and awareness. Some practical steps include:
- Choosing low-VOC or VOC-free products: Many paints, adhesives, and cleaning supplies are now available in formulations that emit fewer VOCs
- Improving ventilation: Ensuring adequate airflow, especially during and after activities like painting or cleaning, can help disperse VOCs
- Proper storage: Keeping VOC-containing products sealed and stored in well-ventilated areas reduces emissions
- Avoiding unnecessary use: Limiting the use of air fresheners, aerosol sprays, and other VOC-heavy products can significantly reduce indoor concentrations
For workplaces and industrial settings, engineering controls such as fume hoods, air scrubbers, and personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential for managing VOC exposure.
The Future of VOC Management
As awareness of VOC-related risks grows, so does the demand for safer alternatives and better monitoring technologies. Advances in sensor technology are making it easier to detect and quantify VOCs in real time, both in industrial settings and in consumer-grade air quality monitors.
Research is also ongoing into the development of sustainable materials and green chemistry approaches that reduce or eliminate the need for VOC-emitting substances altogether.
GPRS is the trusted leader for damage prevention in the environmental sector. Our project managers deliver results from the beginning of the initial investigation, throughout delineation and remediation, until project completion. With our nationwide network of Project Managers, we are equipped to mobilize to projects across the United States.
From sewer lines to skyscrapers, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What do I get when I hire GPRS to conduct a utility locate?
Our Project Managers flag and paint our findings directly on the surface. This method of communication is the most accurate form of marking when excavation is expected to commence within a few days of service.
GPRS also uses a global positioning system (GPS) to collect data points of findings. We use this data to generate a plan, KMZ file, satellite overlay, or CAD file to permanently preserve results for future use. GPRS does not provide land surveying services. If you need land surveying services, please contact a professional land surveyor.
Please contact us to discuss the pricing and marking options your project may require.
Can GPRS Project Managers distinguish between different underground utilities that they locate?
In most situations, we can identify the utility in question without any problems, although it is not always possible to determine what type of utility is present. When this happens, we attempt to trace the utility to a valve, meter, control box, or other signifying markers to determine the type of utility buried.
