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Volatile Organic Compounds

Last updated: October 27, 2019

What Does Volatile Organic Compounds Mean?

Volatile organic compounds (VOC's) are a group of carbon based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. While many VOC's can be readily smelled, some of them have no odour. The strength of the odour does not indicate the level of toxicity. Thousands of common VOC's are used in daily living.

Safeopedia Explains Volatile Organic Compounds

The level of volatile organic compounds is two to three times higher indoors than it is outdoors. The indoor concentration depends on such factors as the amount of VOCs in the product, the rate of VOC release, the volume of the air, the available ventilation and the outdoor concentration of VOCs.

Breathing low levels of VOCs over a long period of time may increase the risk of health problems for some individuals.

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