What are VOCs?

VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compound

V       Volatile: means that the product evaporates easily, releasing fumes or vapors into the air.

O      Organic: Derived from once living material.  Petroleum distillates fall into this category.

C      Compound: Any combination of elements making up a carbon- based molecule.

A volatile product evaporates readily creating an airborne vapor.  Volatile products have a low boiling point and a high vapor pressure.

ARE ALL VOCs BAD?

Not at all!  Many VOCs create the pleasant aroma’s you love:  Flowers, fresh mown grass or hay, fresh fruit and vegetables, cooking food, pine trees, wine.  All these things and many more emit VOCs that we enjoy.  However, the term VOC is usually set aside to describe harmful emissions.

BAD VOCs

Many petroleum based products emit VOCs that are flammable, and some are toxic if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.  They may be quite acceptable for use outdoors, but dangerous to use in confined spaces – like in your house where the VOCs can build up and cause poor air quality.

What kind of products contain bad VOCs?

Here is partial list of the type of products that may emit harmful VOCs:

Paints                   Aerosols              Cleaning solutions

Adhesives            Fuels                     Solvents

New cars, new houses, new furniture all may emit dangerous VOCs for a time due to the adhesives, paints, and solvents used in their construction.

TYPES OF COMPOUNDS LISTED BY VOLATILITY

 

Description	Abbreviation	Boiling Point Range (°C)	Example Compounds
Very volatile (gaseous) organic compounds	VVOC	<0 to 50-100	Propane, butane, methyl chloride
Volatile organic compounds	VOC	50-100 to 240-260	Formaldehyde, d-Limonene, toluene, acetone, ethanol (ethyl alcohol) 2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol), hexanal
Semi volatile organic compounds	SVOC	240-260 to 380-400	Pesticides (DDT, chlordane, plasticizers (phthalates), fire retardants (PCBs, PBB))

 

The more volatile the substance the more vapors are likely to be emitted.

If you need to use a product with hazardous VOCs indoors, ventilate the area well.

Be properly informed about the personal and environmental safety of a product by reading the precautionary statements on the product label and reading the Safety Data Sheet.  You may also send a question to us at info@nypowerind.com .

Most of our cleaning products at Nypower Industries Ltd do not emit VOCs.  But some do.

Be informed and stay safe.