Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that products or operations release into the air. They pose a lot of health risks, some of which are even linked to cancer. You might be surprised that these substances are present in common things you’ll often find in your home or workplace. That’s why it’s critical to know how volatile organic compounds can affect your health.
What Are VOCs?
Volatile organic compounds are a class of chemicals found in many of the goods we use to construct and maintain our living spaces. Once we use these goods in our houses, they can release these chemicals into the indoor air we breathe.
Benzene, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, and xylene are all types of VOCs that may be present in our daily lives without us knowing. Some are natural, while others are man-made. Several of them are even explicitly used in consumer goods, including cleaning supplies, polishes, soaps, paints, air fresheners, mattresses, and carpets.
How Can They Affect Your Health?
Some VOCs are already harmful on their own as primary suspects of cancer. But some can cause additional problems when paired with air pollution. The health effects of VOC can be divided into two categories: short-term and long-term. Short-term issues include headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and respiratory tract irritation. Some examples of long-term results are cancer, chronic headaches, and damage to the kidney, liver, and central nervous system.
Keep in mind that how volatile organic compounds can affect your health will depend on for how long you have been exposed to them and to how much. If you already have high sensitivity to chemicals, your symptoms will be more severe.
How Can You Reduce the Effects of VOCs?
Avoiding or limiting the use of goods with high quantities of VOCs is the best method to lessen your exposure to VOCs. It’s also essential to understand what items can cause these airborne contaminants in order to decrease indoor air pollution.
Examine your home for prevalent causes of these compounds. Search for paints, varnishes, solvents, adhesives, and caulks that you haven’t used in a while. If you find any, dispose of them properly.
Another way to lower VOC levels is using proper ventilation. Open your doors and windows to allow fresh air to enter, and use fans to bring in as much breeze as possible.
Super Bowl LX | Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | February 8th 2026 3:30 PM PST
Why this matchup matters
Super Bowl 60 isn’t just another championship game; it’s a collision between a reborn contender from the Pacific Northwest
and the most decorated dynasty of the modern NFL era. The Seattle Seahawks return to the Super Bowl for the first time
in 11 years, carrying a new identity on defense and a quarterback on a redemption arc.
Across the field, the New England Patriots arrive in their 12th Super Bowl, already holding the record
for most appearances and chasing a historic seventh Lombardi Trophy.
For Seahawks fans, this is about rewriting the memory of Super Bowl XLIX. For Patriots fans, it’s proof that their legacy
didn’t end with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. The stakes are emotional, historical, and deeply personal on both sides.
Let's have a little chat. Does your morning routine ever feel like a game of "What's going to hurt today?" One day it's a knee that clicks with every step; the next it’s a shoulder that complains when you reach for a coffee mug. As we navigate our 30s, 40s, and beyond, our bodies have a funny way of reminding us of every high-impact workout, every long day spent chasing kids, and every night we slept in a weird position. Juggling a career, family, and personal life is demanding enough without constant aches and pains joining the party.
Flipping houses is an increasingly popular way to generate substantial profits in real estate. It’s a practice that combines strategy, creativity, and financial insight to turn undervalued properties into desirable homes while maximizing returns. However, successfully flipping a house requires more than just a keen eye for potential.
Voices That Shaped the Festival’s Last Utah Chapter: An Emotional Farewell to Sundance in Utah
For forty-five winters, the Sundance Film Festival transformed Utah’s mountains into a global crossroads of creativity.
Filmmakers, dreamers, locals, and visitors walked the snowy streets of Park City with the same shared hope;
that stories bold, strange, intimate, and revolutionary could change the world.
In 2026, that tradition reaches its final chapter before the festival relocates to Colorado.
Building a new home represents one of life's most significant milestones. It offers the unique chance to design a space that perfectly fits your lifestyle and needs. However, construction costs can quickly spiral out of control without careful oversight.
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