5 Best Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Air Purifiers for Your Garage
By Marriott Battle
12 minute read
Chances are, you have never heard of a volatile organic compound (VOC). Volatile organic compounds are all around us at every moment. However, we might not be aware of them until it is too late. Unlike most toxic compounds, volatile organic compounds do not emit an odor that will alert you when something is wrong or bad for you. Because of how sneaky and ubiquitous these compounds are, you need to be aware of what to look out for to keep your home and family safe, and you need to have just the right equipment to guard your family.
What is a VOC?
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals in the air. These chemicals can come from anywhere, but they are usually found in homes, especially homes where work is being done.
The concentration that volatile organic compounds emit is dangerous because it is often higher, usually by ten times, when one is indoors in a concentrated area than outdoors.
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Where Can I Find VOCs?
Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that end up emitting a gas. Volatile organic compounds are in multiple building materials such as paint, varnishes, caulks, and adhesives. One can also find them on the floors, whether you have carpet or vinyl flooring. Some composite wood products also contain volatile organic compounds, as well as some upholstery or foam. VOCs are almost everywhere, whether you are in your house or at work.
Additionally, you can also find volatile organic compounds in some air fresheners or other cleaning products. Some cosmetics contain these chemicals as well as fuel oil and gasoline. Moreover, if you participate in activities like smoking, you might come into contact with these chemicals. Other low-risk but high exposure activities include cooking or burning wood. Some dry cleaning services, photocopiers, and your garage and shed also contain an increased risk of volatile organic compounds exposure.
What is the Danger of VOC Emissions?
Prolonged exposure to VOC Emissions will cause long-term health issues, usually dealing with the lungs and breathing. Even if one person is not breathing in a high concentration of volatile organic compounds, they might still have an increased health risk. If the person inhaling VOC emissions has asthma or is sensitive to chemicals, the health risk might increase.
Common symptoms of short-term exposure to volatile organic compounds include sensitive eyes, runny noses, scratchy throats, headaches, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, worsening asthma symptoms. If someone is exposed to volatile organic compounds for a long time, they might suffer from cancer, liver and kidney damage, and central nervous system damage.
What Now?
Now that you know what volatile organic compounds are and the danger they pose to you and your family’s health, you must know how to clean the air and eliminate these toxic emissions. In these trying times, it is essential to have clean indoor air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollutants are often two to five times higher than outside levels.
How to Protect Yourself From VOCs
Even though volatile organic compounds are almost everywhere, there are a few easy steps that you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from the health risks that can occur from contact with VOCs. One method of prevention is to search for product descriptions on the objects that are known to have VOCs. Some product labels will add that that particular supply has “low VOCs.” You may also want to avoid having supplies known to be dangerous and toxic to the air in your house.
The best way to ensure that volatile organic compounds do not harm anyone around you is to have clean air. Investing in a VOC air purifier is the best-bet solution for this. These air purifiers specifically eliminate harmful airborne pollutants, including VOCs, chemicals, gases, and other allergens.
With so many VOC air purifiers to choose from, you cannot help but have clean and pure air after using any of these products. Volatile organic compounds are harmful, but you do not have to worry about them if you have gone through the proper steps to rid your home of those toxins.
