Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a combination of gases, vapours and odours that evaporate more or less quickly depending on the ambient temperature.
VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors.
The most well-know are:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Acetone
- Ethanol
- Butane
Present in and escaping from various materials and products in daily life, VOCs volatilise and change the chemical composition of the ambient air and are therefore considered pollutants.
Short-term effects
- Headaches
- Olfactory discomfort
- Irritation of the skin and mucous membranes
- Tiredness
- Coughing, painful breathing
- Pneumonia, bronchitis
Long-term effects
- Impaired central nervous system
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Respiratory diseases (asthma)
- Cancers
- Impacts on liver, spleen, blood
- Impact on the reproductive system
Some volatile organic compounds such as benzene or formaldehyde, if present in high concentrations in ambient air, can have carcinogenic/carcinogenic effects on humans, lead to gene mutations, or be toxic for reproduction.
Why it’s important to reduce exposure to VOCs
Women are more sensitive to VOC exposure! Scented candles, air fresheners and perfumes contain VOCs which are linked to an increased risk of cancer, damage to the liver, kidneys, and damage to the central nervous system. VOCs are chemicals that readily evaporate into the air at room temperature.
There are over 3,000 individual fragrance ingredients used in our favourite perfumes, body lotions, hair products, make-up, and baby products to name a few. While some of these chemicals are safe for our health and the environment, others have never been tested for safety.
VOCs exert direct toxic effects on kidney cells, causing cellular damage and impaired kidney function. Females appear to exhibit greater sensitivity to impaired kidney function resulting from VOCs exposure.
One of the toxic compounds contained in air freshener is formaldehyde. Metabolism and detoxification of formaldehyde occur in the liver that produces toxic metabolites which can damage the liver.
Some VOCs are identified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), interfering with the effect of sex hormones. Recent research is suggesting that the VOCs are partly responsible for pushing females towards an earlier menopause than we have encountered before – This is also true for earlier puberty. Research from this year is linking VOCs and infertliity.
To reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds indoors, a few simple actions can improve air quality at home or in the workplace.
- Ventilate the room daily
- Ensure good air renewal through well-maintained and adapted ventilation
- Choose your furniture and materials carefully and favour A+ labels
- Favour “traditional” cleaning products such as white vinegar, black soap, bicarbonate of soda to avoid interactions between different substances
- Avoid odorous products (room fragrances, incense, candles); Essential oils are a great alternative, where you can mix with a carrier oil such as a little bit of coconut oil. You can make your own solid perfume by using natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter and essential oils, where it will then melt when you rub it on your skin.
- Choose fragrance-free skincare products
- Install indoor air quality sensors to monitor and quickly know the level of VOCs (and other pollutants) in the room.
