Volatile Organic Compounds

Todays health and safety blog post is an article on volatile organic compounds (VOC's) written by our expert health and safety consultant (and renowned expert on air quality), Julie Riggs MSc DipOSH Grad IOSH MIIRSM MCIEH MBOHS.

Volatile Fetishes

I have a friend who likes to sniff new shoes; exploring this strange shoe obsession it appears the smell of ‘new’ is the alluring feature, not the foot fetish that adorns the footwear. The whiff of brogue or the effluvium scents of moccasin are not to the taste of the sniffer; however the pleasure of the trainer is sheer delight.

An exhaled exclamation of “mmm new” rings the air and the sniffer is lost in a world of odours. ‘VOCs’ I interrupted, “volatile, organics compounds”. My foot fetish friend grumbles, acknowledging the technical jargon that is about to follow will ruin any gratifications they are trying to be obtained.


Open a magazine, purchase new furniture or sitting behind the wheel of a new car can create a carnal attraction. It is not just our eyes and ears that are influenced by the marketing of products, some manufacturers infuse smells within their merchandise to entice the consumer.


Car manufacturers have recognised this sensual secret and have been using bottled scent that encapsulates the allurement of a new car; the discerning buyer whiffing leather and mahogany, rather than plastic or PVC.


Indeed to improve customer satisfaction with their new vehicles Rolls Royce analysed a 1965 Silver Cloud and discovered over 800 compounds that could be reproduced to create a ‘new car smell’, which has been used by other car manufactures.

However the alluring bouquet of VOCs can, for some people, be offensive and even cause adverse effects.


Apart from the enticement to empty your pockets, how can a smell be harmful?


VOCs are a chemical compound that has a high enough vapour pressure to evaporate into the atmosphere at room temperature, potentially causing health effects within your home and work. VOCs are essentially an air contaminate. Outside they also contribute towards global warming.


Typically the toxic tyrants emanated from synthetic and/or scented materials, such as:


• Air freshener;
• Perfumes;
• Cosmetics;
• Toiletries;
• Household cleaners;
• Laundry detergents and fabric softeners;
• Cooking;
• Clothing fabrics;
• Shoes;
• Scented candles, incense, oils;
• Floor coverings, vinyl floors, carpets, varnished;
• Paint;
• Pesticides;
• Varnish;
• Newspapers/magazines;
• Adhesives;
• Furniture;
• Dry cleaned clothing.


As we become more aware of our environmental obligations to protect our energy resources, and perhaps our pockets, households are becoming more air tight, with less air flow to insulate against energy loss. We are also using more synthetic materials and chemical. Therefore, such contaminates within the home can crescendo to an unacceptable cocktail of emissions. Some compounds can take up to six months for vaporised chemicals to dissipate.


Research concluded that VOCs are higher in new homes, than old; and 3 times higher in homes built after 1982, than in home built before 1940. New furniture can double emissions in new homes, whilst the accumulation of painting or decorating in the home can triple the emission levels.


Individually the contribution from one product may not be significant; however a cumulative level can create a chemical soup of emissions to cause concerns.


On average, as we spend approximately 80 – 90% of our time indoors, we are exposed to greater levels of pollutants in our homes and workspaces than outside. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air indoors is often two to five times more polluted than it is outside.


With hundreds of varied compounds present within our homes, typical health effects can include eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, migraines, nausea and the feeling of dizziness. For those who are chemical sensitive, it can also exacerbate asthma.


2004 research concluded that mothers who used air fresheners daily suffered almost 10% more headaches than those who used them less than once a week. And that of the mothers who used air fresheners, 16 percent suffered from depression compared with 12.7 % of those mothers who hardly ever used air fresheners.


Some synthetic compounds can enter into your human tissue and stay for years causing carcinogenic activities. High concentrations of VOCs can affect your central nervous system, cause depression and/or sensitivity to certain compounds.


Key advice for reducing the VOCs within your home:


• By aware of the products you use and bring into your home;
• Check manufacturers VOC emissions from their products;
• Use more organics, nature products or low VOC products;
• Use water based decoration coatings;
• Limit the use of aerosols;
• Most importantly ensure your home is well ventilated.
• Reduce products that contain the following emissions:
• Benzene;
• Xylenes;
• Methylene chloride;
• Perchloroethylene;
• Formaldehyde;
• Toluene;
• Ethylene glycol;
• Styrene;
• 1,3-butadiene;


This list is not exhaustive, but a representation of significant emissions found in the home and workplace.


The nasal passages are clearing as more manufacturers are beginning to smell sense and incorporate VOC reduction within their environment strategies.


Paints contribute towards less than 1% of all man-made VOCs in the UK, however the British Coating Industry have adopted a volunteer industry agreement to display VOC labels on all decorative coatings. The VOC labels are divided into five ‘bands’ showing minimal; low; medium; high or very high VOC content.


So if this another tick on our checklists of health concerns? Obviously ticked in a non-VOC marker pen.


As our evolving awareness of our interaction with our environment becomes paramount, we must conversely understand how the environment interacts with us. By detoxing our homes, we will detox our bodies and contribute towards reduce indoor and outdoor pollutants.


No more shall I mock the sneaker sniffer for his odd smelling preferences, the lure of VOC has enticed us all. With the technical jargon now over, as the emissions from his trainers starting to fade, the allurement of VOC seduction also dissipates.