Green Daily

Well, now I know how they operate, but this doesn't really clear up what they are. I've discovered, though, that VOCs are pretty easy to understand. Basically, they're the funky chemical smells that you get from cleaners, paints, stains, gasoline, turpentine, and other solvents. They also include the plastic smell that you notice when you unfold a new shower curtain, the chemical scent that sometimes wafts out of a dry cleaning store, and even the manufacturing smell that comes off some wood products, like plywood. The wonderful new-car smell is a combination of various VOCs, as is the delightful scent of magic markers. Unfortunately, all these vapors can, potentially, carry a devil's brew of not-so-wonderful side effects.

To gain a better understanding of the dangers of VOCs, I talked to Susan Aiello. The President of Interior Design Solutions and author of a Sustainable Design blog, Susan is a certified interior designer and a LEED Accredited Professional. She has designed for Architectural Digest, Vanity Fair, and The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. As a specialist in sustainable, green interior design, Susan had a lot to say about VOCs and ways to reduce their danger in the home.

Why are VOCs dangerous?
VOCs pollute our air. Outside, they contribute to global warming and worsen air quality. Indoors, they are a major contributor to poor indoor air quality; in fact, it is very common for indoor air quality to be five times worse than the air outside. Since Americans, on average, spend between 80% and 90% of their time indoors, this can have a huge effect upon our health and well-being, and VOCs have been linked to a number of ailments. The strongest connection is to asthma and other respiratory problems, but some people are also linking them to cancer.

VOCs from cleaning products represent an ongoing health hazard that can be easily avoided simply by using low-VOC products. to give you an idea of how unhealthy many cleaning products can be, under the US Green Building Council's LEED guidelines, a project can receive an extra point just for isolating its cleaning closet from the regular air supply of a building! To put this into context, architects and designers are creating specially ventilated rooms, at a cost of thousands of dollars, simply to avoid having the VOCs from cleaning supplies mix with the regular atmosphere of a building. Also, LEED guidelines include minimizing VOCs from building products and furnishings, as well as airing out a space thoroughly before occupancy.

How long are VOCs dangerous?
Again, it depends on the chemical, the level of ventilation, and the other materials involved. In most cases, the first couple of weeks that a VOC-emitting material is in a space are the worst. Later, the toxin levels go down, but some materials can continue to emit VOCs for months or even years. Of course, in the case of most cleaners, the supply of VOCs in the atmosphere are regularly replenished, which means that people are constantly breathing them.

What are some common sources of VOCs?
Most cleaners, stains, paints, and other household chemicals contain VOCs. They are used as binders on many forms of plywood and other wood products. Because of their evaporative qualities, VOCs also make very effective bases for glues, which means that they often show up mixed in with other, non-hazardous materials, like flooring, caulking, and even insulation. In fact, some brands of bamboo flooring, which many people use because of its green qualities, have VOCs mixed in with their finishes and adhesives.

How can I reduce the effects of VOCs in my home?
The EPA offers a long list of ways to minimize the effects of VOCs. SCS and Greenguard both test and certify low-emitting products. Also, manufacturer's data sheets are a very good source of comprehensive information, but may be a bit difficult to understand if you are not used to reading them.

Whenever it's possible, a good rule of thumb is to use products that emit minimal VOCs. Until recently, there weren't many low-VOC products, but there's been a real expansion of what's available. Currently, many of the items that you use in your day-to-day life are now available in low-VOC versions. Also, you should always read the warning labels on the compounds that you plan to use before you purchase them, as this will enable you to choose the alternative that looks the safest. Finally, you should only use products with VOCs in a well-ventilated area, and you should ensure that the area remains well-ventilated when you are done, so the vapors are able to dissipate.

How can average people get hold of low-VOC materials?
One of the best routes is through a company that offers only sustainable building supplies, like Green Depot. They sell to both contractors and the general public, and their selection of low-VOC items is really good. They carry sealants, caulks, wood products, paints, cleaning materials, and pretty much everything else that you'd need for a construction project. They're also really careful about the products that they offer, and their website features numerous resources that could help you gain a better understanding of the health dangers in your home.