Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been identified as an indoor health hazard. These gases come from many of the products you bring into your home and while some people experience no side effects, others do. As a general rule, it’s better to avoid or minimize them than learn firsthand how they may affect you.
Where They Come From
Products made from hydrocarbons can emit VOCs like:
- Common cleaning products
- Anything perfumed, including aerosols, room fresheners, soaps and dryer sheets
- Vehicle exhaust
- New products like furniture, flooring, paint, shower curtains and draperies
- Dry cleaned fabrics
- Glues, caulk, and some hobby supplies
Some have strong odors as they emit their gases, like vinyl shower curtains and paints. Others, like wood glue and caulk have no detectable odor. The volume of VOCs increases during warm weather and they’re especially potent in new materials. New and recently remodeled homes tend to have higher VOC levels unless the contractor chose alternative materials low in VOCs.
How to Avoid Them
Unless you can avoid them altogether, look for a clean air symbol or low VOC label on the product. Options are available for many building products. Look for cleaning products and soaps without perfume.
- Fresh air ventilation. Open doors and windows when using anything high in volatile organic compounds. If you use materials with VOCs year-round, consider using a balanced ventilation system. An HRV (heat recovery ventilator) exchanges stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air without driving up your energy bills.
- Plants. NASA found that some plants have a remarkable ability to absorb VOCs from the air through their leaves, roots and soil.
- UV lights. Ultraviolet lights placed inside your HVAC system reduce the harm that VOCs pose, along with lowering the populations of mold spores, bacteria and viruses indoors.
The best defense against volatile organic compounds indoors is to avoid them completely, but if not, there are practical ways to lower their concentrations. To learn more about improving indoor air quality, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, providing HVAC services for Lorain-area homeowners.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about VOCs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area