What is a volatile organic compound (VOC)?
“Organic” is a major buzzword for anyone looking to live a healthy lifestyle. Organic products promise to keep us from chemicals, impurities, and other less-appealing ingredients. Add “volatile” to the term, though, and things don’t sound quite as rosy. Volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) are near-ubiquitous in everyday life and are a major contributor to pollution and low air quality. Here’s what you need to know about them:
I’ve heard of organic compounds. What’s different about a volatile organic compound?
An organic compound is any chemical that contains carbon. Our bodies, and all living things, are made up of them; most common sugars, fats, proteins, and alcohols are organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds are a subset of these chemicals that have a tendency of vaporize, or off-gas, at room temperature.
What are some common examples of VOCs?
Chemically speaking, the most-common VOCs people encounter daily are benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, xylene, and butadiene. These chemicals are present in many household products, including paints, cleaning supplies, wood sealants, air fresheners, pesticides, fuels, cooking gas, and crafting supplies like glue.
Do VOCs cause air pollution?
Yes, but not entirely on their own. Burning fuels — including gas, wood, coal, natural gas, and diesel — releases VOCs into the atmosphere. In sunlight, they combine with nitrogen oxides and react to create ozone at ground level. In combination with particulate matter and other pollutants, that ozone creates smog that reduces visibility and creates health hazards.
Health hazards? What are the biggest concerns there?
Health effects of VOC exposure — through breathing, touching, or swallowing — vary depending on the length of exposure, and the toxicity and concentration of the given chemical. Acute (a.k.a. short-term) exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and eye and throat irritation. The elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, like asthma, might be more prone to reactions. Some studies have linked long-term exposure to cancer, liver, and kidney disease.
So, if many VOC sources are around my house, should I be more worried about them indoors?
Most definitely. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), indoor VOC concentrations can be up to five times as high as they are outdoors. And, in instances of heavy chemical activity, such as stripping paint, concentrations can spike to 1,000-times outdoor levels.
Is there a threshold for when VOC concentrations go from safe to unsafe?
There is no federally-adopted limit for VOC exposure in homes, but many agencies do make recommendations for individual compounds — specifically ones that are known to have substantial health or carcinogenic effects. World Health Organization research, for instance, indicates that formaldehyde exposure for 30 minutes at a concentration of 81 parts-per-billion (ppb) will cause sensory irritations; up concentration to 100 ppb and lengthen exposure, and the risk of nasal cancer rises.
What can I do to minimize my exposure?
VOCs are so common in our paint and furnishings, that ridding your home of them entirely isn’t exactly realistic. But there are things you can to zap many chemicals from the air. For starters, consider switching to natural cleaning products or use plain baking soda and vinegar in their place. When cooking, painting, or cleaning, ventilate your home by opening windows and keeping fans running. At the same time, a HEPA air filter with an activated-carbon layer can trap up to 99 percent of what doesn’t get carried off in the breeze.
Disclaimers
1 Airmega air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander in the air based on KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing. They have been tested according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers. Tested with Airmega Aim, 50, 100, 150, Tower AP-1216L, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
2Our HEPA filter complies with IEST-RP-CC007 standards at speed level 1 as tested by SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance). SGS's test report only reflects SGS's evaluation of the sample and does not reflect the evaluation of the batch of goods from which the sample was taken. Tested with Airmega 100, 150, 160, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 250 Art, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
3 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to JEM 1467: 2015 condition, the concentration of acetic acid was proven to be reduced up to 99.5% in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on actual environment. Tested with Airmega 150, Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
4 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022, showed result of over 99.5% removal rate of common household gases including Ammonia, Acetaldehyde, Acetic acid, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Benzene, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) within 30 minutes. Results may vary in different environments and not all odors or gas particles may be removed. Tested with Airmega MightyS AP-1512HHS, 250S, 300S, 400S, 350, 450
5 Test conducted using Coway Allergen filter media (5×5 cm) placed in a polyethylene bag. The allergen solution and sample were immersed in 2 mL of phosphate buffer (100 ng/mL) prior to the reaction and heat-sealed to specimen size. The reaction was maintained at 4°C for 24 hours. Nichinichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. conducted the test using ELISA to measure allergen concentration. Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
6 Removal rates of Ammonia (NH₃) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) were tested in a 1 m³ chamber under EL608:2023 conditions for 30 minutes. Gas Detector Tubes were used for measurement, and testing was conducted by KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories). Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
7 Reduction rates of Naphthalene, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide were tested using the Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH in 1㎥ chamber, following JEM-1467:2015 standards. Tests were conducted by Intertek. Actual performance may vary depending on the living environment. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
9 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted with Methyl mercaptan, Isovaleraldehyde, Isovaleric acid in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber with a test time of 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of over 99.5% was achieved. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
10 Tested by the Guangzhou Institute of Microbiology, exposed the filter media to protein solutions for 24 hours under ISO 4333-2022 standard. The results showed strong reduction performance: >99.79% for pollen, >99.60% for dog allergen, >99.90% for cat allergen, and >99.80% for dust mites matter allergen. Actual results may vary depending on room size, airflow, and pollutant levels. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
11 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber for 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of >99.5% was achieved for Formaldehyde and Toluene in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
12 Tested by Intertek. The evaluation was conducted against designated test materials: Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. The test was performed in a sealed 1.0×1.0×1.0 m (1.0 m³) odor chamber at a test room temperature of (23±2)°C (measured between 23.6∼23.9°C) and a test room humidity of (45±5)% R.H. (measured between 40∼48)% Relative Humidity. It met the odor removal rate of ≥99.9% for Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
