We assume that we see what's around us, that the air is clear so it must be clean. In fact there are many Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) in the air we breathe, ones that affect our health, and we can't see them.There are many things we can't see because they're too small for the naked eye. You can only see them under a microscope.
As with other pollutants, the extent to which VOCs in our home hurt us depends on many factors including the level of exposure and length of time we're exposed to these chemicals. Common reactions to VOCs 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.
Who Monitors Air Quality?
People may be more aware of smog due to radio reports, and because we can often see that one part of the sky is a different color than another part of the sky. Studies have found that levels of several organic chemicals average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. The problem is further compounded during/after certain indoor activities like stripping paint where levels may be 1,000 times higher than outdoor levels.
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| You Can See Some Problems | Many Air Borne Chemicals Can't be Seen |
EPA Recommendations
There are many things you can do at home to reduce the level of VOCs in your home. When you protect the health of your family, you are also helping to protect the environment for everyone! Here is a summary of the EPAs recommendations.
- Use household products and follow the directions on the label.
- Make sure you provide plenty of fresh air when using products VOCs, – open the windows.
- Throw away partially full containers of old or unneeded chemicals … safely.
- When buying products with VOCs, buy in small quantities and use them quickly to avoid/minimize storage risks.
- Keep all potentially harmful products out of reach of children and pets.
- Never mix household care products unless directed on the label.
You also want to review labels and 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 go straight into the air you're breathing. If dry-cleaned goods have a strong chemical odor when you pick them up, do not accept them until they have been properly dried.
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