You may have heard about VOCs before, but most people have no idea how prevalent and how damaging they really can be.
Volatile Organic Compounds are toxic airborne chemicals that significantly lower the quality of the air we breathe and pose multiple health threats.
They are also regularly present in the vast majority of households, and there is a 100% chance that you’ve been exposed to them multiple times.
The reason for this is that they have become fundamental ingredients in a variety of everyday household products, making them very hard to avoid, but thankfully, not that hard to eliminate!
VOCs In Your Home
VOCs are everywhere, from household cleaning products and disinfectants to air fresheners, sprays, glues, and paints.
A strong chemical scent is a clue that VOCs are present most of the time, but that isn’t always the case.
The ‘big three’ household VOC sources are formaldehyde, benzene, and butanol, and they’re in quite a few household products, including:
- Office equipment like copiers and printers
- Glue, adhesive, and permanent markers
- Wood preservative
- Aerosol spray
- Cleaning and disinfectant products
- Paint, paint stripper, and solvent
- Air Fresheners
- Pesticides
- Building materials
- Dry-cleaned clothes
How Dangerous Are VOCs?
Depending on exposure levels, VOCs can be very dangerous to human health. For example, some have been linked to various types of cancer with extended exposure, and others can cause mild to severe symptoms.
The most common symptoms of over-exposure to VOCs include:
- Eye, nose, ear, and throat irritation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Liver, kidney, and nerve damage
- Migraines
- Redness and irritation of the skin
- Dizziness and fainting
- Fatigue and general malaise
Control And Remove VOCs From Your Home
VOCs pose a significant health threat to you and your family. The good news is, you can control and eliminate these nasty airborne chemicals in three ways.
1 – Avoidance And Careful Usage
Where possible, try and avoid products containing VOCs. While this isn’t always possible, you might be able to source similar products that don’t include them or find other ways to meet your needs.
Where there is no alternative to usage, make sure that you use the VOC-containing products carefully and moderately.
Always follow the indications on the packaging too. The rules regarding ventilation and exposure to children and people with health issues are critical.
2 – Fresh Air And Ventilation
A golden rule for generally healthier home environments is to maintain healthy ventilation.
Fresh air is best because HVAC systems will only recycle the VOCs and send them back into your home.
Ventilation will help reduce the volume of VOCs in the air and help minimize the harmful effects of the products that contain them.
3 – UV-C Light Air Filtration
Avoidance isn’t always possible – VOCs frequently occur in essential household products that often don’t have effective alternatives.
Adequate ventilation can also be difficult, especially in smaller homes and during icy cold winters.
For these reasons, the most effective way to eliminate the harmful effect of VOCs is by installing a UV-C Air Filtration System.
Air is filtered through a powerful UV-C system which completely eliminates a wide range of airborne contaminants, including unhealthy VOCs. Click here to view the FDA’s information regarding the benefits and effectiveness of UV light.
To find out more about ensuring clean, breathable, and healthy air for you and your loved ones, contact UVC Light Pros today!