AKA Volatile Organic Compounds
What are Volatile Organic Compounds? From Wiki "Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic chemicals that have a high vapor pressure at ordinary, room-temperature conditions." In layman's terms, they are the gasses released when organic matter evaporates. There are many of those gasses present in our atmosphere at all times. Most of the scents that you smell everyday come from this process. Should you be afraid of all of them? No. Should you understand more about this subject? The answer is a resounding yes.
You see, even though mother nature makes a large selection of VOC's, most of them are not dangerous. However, man has harnessed the worst of them for use in paint and cleaning agents. Paint and other chemical agents that are used for home building and cleaning are generally packed with volatile organic compounds. These compounds are known to cause a number of skin and soft tissue irritating effects and have been linked to causing cancer. Any chemical with a strong odor is likely pumping out a ton of VOC's. Try to avoid exposure when possible, and be sure to ventilate properly any time you have to use one.
Now, for paint specifically, nearly every person in America will be forced into being exposed to VOC's from paint just by living here. That being said, there are a few things that you should know. Paint releases most of it's volatile compounds as it dries. The average gallon of paint will continue to release more VOC's over time, however, the rate that it is released at drops significantly. The other important factor you should know is that many manufacturers now offer at least one line of paint that contain either low or no VOC's. One such product is "Harmony", from Sherwin-Williams that has no VOC's. This line of paint and others like it are a bit more expensive. So I guess the question here is, what is your health worth to you?
Now, for paint specifically, nearly every person in America will be forced into being exposed to VOC's from paint just by living here. That being said, there are a few things that you should know. Paint releases most of it's volatile compounds as it dries. The average gallon of paint will continue to release more VOC's over time, however, the rate that it is released at drops significantly. The other important factor you should know is that many manufacturers now offer at least one line of paint that contain either low or no VOC's. One such product is "Harmony", from Sherwin-Williams that has no VOC's. This line of paint and others like it are a bit more expensive. So I guess the question here is, what is your health worth to you?
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