VOCs

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a broad group of organic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. They are emitted from industrial processes, vehicle exhaust, household products (such as paints, cleaning agents, and adhesives), and natural sources. Furthermore, in general, fragrances used in cosmetics, air fresheners, perfumes, colognes, etc. utilize VOCs as their active ingredient, such as limonene, benzyl alcohol, galaxolide (HHCB), and tonalide (AHTN). For example, so-called “new car smell” is caused by VOCs. Plastic materials, and especially microplastics (due to increased surface area) almost universally release VOCs as they break down. These can include plastic precursors like styrene and vinyl chloride, plasticizers like phthalates, or various other additives & process chemicals such as phthalates and BPA.

Many VOCs are linked to air pollution and health risks, including endocrine system disruption, ^[2] cancer, ^[3] and airway inflammation, ^[4] among others.

Indoors, VOCs contribute to poor air quality, while outdoors they react with nitrogen oxides to form smog. Regulations limit VOC emissions in consumer products and industrial settings to reduce environmental and health impacts, ^[1] though there remain reasonable health concerns regarding novel, under-studied, and known-problematic VOCs released by consumer goods.