Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (vocs) are a set of chemical substances that tend to enter gaseous state during normal ground level atmospheric conditions. Owing to various chemical properties, VOCs have numerous uses in industry and in preparing consumer goods of different types, but since they also easily enter the atmosphere, their impact upon health must also be carefully investigated and, where necessary, regulated by government.

VOCs may be produced naturally, through the waste products of animals, or through by-products of hydrocarbons such as petroleum and its derivatives. VOCs may enter land and water sources as contaminants or become present in indoor air, increasing pollution of the air and possibly causing negative health impacts. Somewhat unfortunately, the tendency to increase energy efficiency in housing has led to a ...