VOC? Do I Care About this New Acronym?

OCs or Volatile Organic Chemicals are important because of potential health effects. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature depends on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Common reactions include eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment. Many VOCs are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.

You Can See Some Problems

Many Air Borne Chemicals Can't Be Seen

People may be more aware of smog due to radio reports but studies have found that levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. During/after certain activities, such as paint stripping, levels may be 1,000 times higher than outdoor levels.

Here are the EPA recommendations to reduce your risk to VOCs:

• Use household products and follow the directions on the label.
• Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using these products.
• Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals … safely.
• Buy in quantities that you will use quickly to avoid/minimize storage risks.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.
• Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.
• Minimize exposure to emissions from products containing:
  • Methylene chloride paint strippers, adhesive removers and aerosol spray paints,
  • Benzene (tobacco smoke, stored fuels, paint supplies, automobile emissions in attached garages.
  • Perchloroethylene emissions from newly dry-cleaned materials. If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried.

When you protect the health of your family, you are also helping to protect the environment for everyone!