If you work in an industrial or medical space, you’ve probably heard the term volatile organic compound (VOC). VOCs are present in many household cleaners, purifiers, fuels, and other fluids. Discover the four most common volatile organic compounds and where you might find them in your home or workplace.
What Are VOCs?
VOCs are compounds, which in the field of chemistry means two or more elements combined in a certain ratio, like a recipe. The thing that makes VOCs special—and dangerous—is that they tend to dissolve easily in liquid and have a high concentration of vapor particles lingering above their surfaces. That vapor can be flammable and dangerous to inhale.
Acetone: Polishes and Polish Removers
You’re probably most familiar with acetone because of nail polish remover. However, acetone can also show up in furniture polishes and some kinds of wallpaper. If at all possible, check your polishes and polish removers to see if they use acetone or alcohol as the main ingredient. If you have a choice, choose alcohol.
Butanal: Heat Sources
Butanal has become a source of debate in the candle world, where it has driven many people to choose only soy and beeswax-based products. However, other devices like grills and gas stoves also give off this VOC, so be sure to use them in well-ventilated spaces.
Carbon Disulfide: Tap Water
Carbon disulfide is one of the most common volatile organic compounds because municipalities often use it to purify water in large cities. To prevent drinking this compound in your water, use a water filter with charcoal or carbon; you can find pitcher-style filters and devices that attach to your kitchen faucet.
Ethanol: Cleaning Products
It’s not easy to avoid using ethanol unless you’re very persistent. This VOC is in many different household cleaners, including dish detergents, laundry detergents, and glass cleaners. If you want to avoid this VOC, look for organic brands and carefully check each list of ingredients.
While it can be hard to avoid these compounds at home, you can avoid them at work by using a photoionization detector (PID). These devices have an alarm to alert you when high levels of these compounds are in the surrounding air. At home, your best bet is to use filters and search for products that specifically state they do not contain VOCs.
