Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs

The term volatile organic compounds, "or VOC's as they are often referred to," are probably the least understood and most complex elements of indoor air pollution. What are VOC's? The word volatile refers to the ability of a substance to evaporate or readily vaporize at room temperature. The word organic in chemical terms refers to compounds containing hydrocarbons. Finally, compounds consist of two or more elements, substances, ingredients or parts. Put it altogether and what does it mean: VOC's are hydrocarbon based compounds which involve life or the products of organic life that will evaporate or vaporize when placed at room temperature. Petroleum products such as gasoline for example, is a bi-product of once living organisms that will vaporize at room temperature. Glues, which are often made up of boiled animal parts, (hydrocarbons) that are often used in the production of wood products and the installation vinyl flooring etc., will also vaporize or off-gas formaldehyde as they cure. This is where the term "off-gassing" comes from.

What makes the understanding of VOC's a bit more difficult, is that we usually consider evaporation or vaporization as the change of a solid or liquid to a gas or liquid vapor. However, as most of us know, a word can have more than one meaning. To vaporize, also refers to the diffusing or scattering of matter. This is why mold for example, has been referred to as a VOC, even though it is considered a bio-aerosol belonging to the fungi family. Mold has the property of vaporizing (scattering) spores which often contain proteins that can be extremely dangerous to humans. (mycotoxins) Likewise, the fecal material of dust mite can vaporize which also contain harmful proteins that can affect the lining of the lung. Paints, cleaners, shoe polish, carpeting, cupboards, furniture ... and the list goes on, play a significant role in polluting our indoor environment with sometimes benign but more often dangerous emissions that have both short and long term affects on our health. Controlling VOC's can be achieved by installing one of our Second Wind Air Purifiers in your home.