6 Tips To Reduce VOCs In Your Home
Many homes are unknowingly harboring health-hazardous chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are released as invisible gases from everyday products and materials inside your home and they can pose serious health risks over time. From headaches and respiratory issues to long-term illnesses, VOC exposure is more common (and more dangerous) than most people realize.
The information below breaks down the most common sources of VOCs and offers practical tips to reduce your family’s exposure inside the home.
What are VOCs?
VOCs are harmful gases released into the air by a wide range of common household products and materials. Once airborne, these chemicals can accumulate indoors and significantly affect your indoor air quality often without any noticeable odor.
Examples of VOCs include:
- Formaldehyde
- Toluene
- Benzene
- Acetone
- Butanal
- Ethanol
These compounds are found in various sources around the home. While many people associate VOCs with things like paint or cleaning products, they can also come from mold, lead, asbestos, and even everyday items such as furniture, flooring, carpeting, and office equipment.
Health Risks of VOC Exposure
VOC levels are 10X higher inside the home than outdoors. These chemicals put the health and wellness of everyone in your home in danger, including household pets.
They include a variety of chemicals, which can have short- and long-term adverse health effects. The effects of VOCs range from mild illness to serious organ damage and disease.
Immediate Symptoms Include:
- Eye and Respiratory Tract Irritation
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vision Issues
- Memory Impairment
Long-term or regular exposure to VOCs may lead to additional health issues and ailments.
Other Health Issues Include:
- Headaches
- Loss of Coordination
- Nausea
- Internal Organ Damage
- Damage to Central Nervous System
- Certain Cancers
The extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed.
Young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to the adverse health effects caused by VOCs.
Who’s Most at Risk?
While VOC exposure can affect anyone, certain groups are more vulnerable to the health effects of indoor air pollution. Infants and young children breathe more air relative to their body weight, which means they absorb more airborne toxins than adults. The elderly and individuals with chronic respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems may experience stronger reactions to VOCs, even at lower levels. Pregnant women are also considered high-risk, as VOC exposure may impact fetal development. If someone in your home falls into one of these categories, reducing chemical exposure and scheduling routine indoor air quality testing is especially important.
Signs You May Have VOC Buildup
Not sure if VOCs are lingering in your home? These common symptoms and clues may indicate it’s time to test your air:
-
Frequent Headaches Indoors
Regular headaches that seem to fade when you leave the house could be a red flag for chemical exposure.
-
Persistent Eye, Nose, or Throat Irritation
If your eyes burn, your throat feels scratchy, or your nose runs constantly at home, VOCs might be to blame.
-
Unexplained Fatigue or Dizziness
Feeling lightheaded, tired, or foggy without a clear reason could be your body reacting to poor air quality.
-
Worsening Allergy or Asthma Symptoms
VOCs can aggravate respiratory conditions. If allergy flare-ups or asthma attacks happen more often at home, the air may be contaminated.
-
Chemical Smells That Linger
Strong odors after using cleaners, installing new flooring, or opening furniture could indicate off-gassing VOCs.
-
Symptoms That Improve Outside the Home
If your symptoms lessen or disappear when you’re away, it’s a strong sign something in your home’s air is affecting your health.
-
Recent Renovations or New Products
If you’ve recently painted, installed carpet, or purchased new furniture, VOC levels could be elevated without you even realizing it.
Worried about whats in your air? Contact MD Mold Testing to schedule a professional VOC assessment.
Common Sources of VOCs in the Home
There are numerous items throughout the home that may emit hazardous chemicals. Some of these items are necessary to use while other items can be replaced with a safer alternative.
For example, the majority of household cleaners contain ethanol, including glass cleaners and laundry soap. Being aware of this makes it possible to take steps to minimize exposure, including opening windows while you perform house cleaning tasks.
1.Household Products
There are numerous household cleaning and personal care products that may contain VOCs.
Cleaning Products Include:
- Bathroom Cleaners
- Kitchen Cleaners
- Furniture Polish
- Laundry Detergent
- Window Cleaners
- Air Freshener
There are also numerous personal hygiene products that may emit VOCs.
Personal Care Products Include:
- Hairspray
- Hair Dye
- Cologne/Perfume
- Nail Polish
Tip: Always check the label on the back for the ingredients list of any household cleaners and hygiene products that you purchase for yourself and/or your family.
2.Furniture
Many furniture items throughout the home contain VOCs due to products applied during the manufacturing or treatment processes. These include sealants, flame-retardant coatings, and applications to decrease the likelihood of stains.
Furniture Items Include:
- Mattresses
- Padded Sofas, Chairs, Etc.
- Plastic Furniture
- Cabinets
Tip: Check all prospective furniture for VOC emitting components, including polyurethane foam, particle board, fiberboard, and plywood.
3.Flooring and Countertops
Formaldehyde is one of the most common VOCs used in the materials used to manufacture, install, and to seal flooring.
VOC Sources Include:
- Carpet backing and adhesives
- Vinyl flooring
- Engineered hardwood
- Laminate flooring
- Inexpensive countertop composites
Tip: Countertops made from cheaper materials are also more likely to disintegrate over time and emit VOCs. Choosing high-quality flooring and countertop materials is the safest way to reduce the amount of VOCs inside the home.
4.Paint and Paint Thinner
Paint products are one of the leading and most well-known causes of VOCs. The gases emitted when stirring, during application, and while drying are toxic to humans and pets.
High-Risk Products:
- Interior/ exterior paints
- Paint thinners
- Spray paints
- Sealants and coatings
Tip: Always open doors, and windows, and wear personal protective equipment when painting or using these products inside the home.
How to Reduce VOCs at Home – 6 Simple Tips
The following 5 tips can help decrease or eliminate harmful chemicals inside your home.
1.) Improve Natural Ventilation
Let fresh air in. Open windows regularly and use exhaust fans to help circulate and replace stale indoor air. You can also add air-purifying houseplants like peace lilies or snake plants, which are known to help absorb certain VOCs.
2.) Buy Low-VOC or Solid Wood Furniture
When shopping for furniture, prioritize items made from solid hardwood rather than particleboard or plywood, which often contain high-VOC adhesives and finishes. Look for labels that say “low-VOC,” “non-toxic,” or “formaldehyde-free.”
3.) Allow Furniture To Off-Gas
The majority of the foam-containing furniture items, including mattresses, contain high levels of the VOC Toulene. Allow time for new furniture pieces to off-gas before allowing anyone to sleep on new mattresses. This is especially important for infants and young children.
4.) Avoid Heating Plastic
Plastic emits VOCs and should be avoided during food preparation, serving, and storage. The level of chemicals that are emitted increases significantly when plastic items are heated. Avoid heating plastic containers in the microwave.
The chemicals used to make plastic bottles are also known to have the potential to contaminate their contents. Avoid leaving plastic bottles in the car, sun, or in other high-temperature locations.
5.) Choose Safer Cleaners
Reduce your exposure to VOCs in household cleaners by choosing natural, safer alternatives. Baking soda, vinegar, dish soap, and water are all safer than bleach and other toxic cleaning agents. These items may not be effective in cleaning all areas of the home but any reduction in exposure is a positive move in the right direction.
6.) Schedule Routine VOC Testing
You can’t manage what you can’t measure. Professional indoor air quality testing can detect VOC levels in your home, helping you pinpoint hidden sources and take targeted action.
Contact MD Mold Testing
Contact MD Mold today to learn more about VOCs and how a professional can help ensure that your home is safe. MD Mold Testing provides environmental testing services 7 days a week and serves locations throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Delaware.
