What are VOCs?

According the US Environmental Protection Agency, “Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. 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 umbrella term VOC covers compounds such as formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, toluene, benzene, n-hexane, xylene and many others.  More than 300 VOCs have been identified in indoor air.  These compounds, which can be natural or synthetic, are emitted unseen, mostly as odourless gas from a variety of everyday products which surround us.  For example:

•    Some electrical equipment i.e. printers and photocopiers
•    Pressed wood/fibreboard
•    Plastics used in computers, TV screens etc
•    Soft furnishings and carpeting
•    Paper products
•    Glues and adhesives
•    Paints
•    Insulation materials
•    Cleaning products
•    Air fresheners
•    Pesticides
•    Cosmetics and deodorants
•    Hair products and perfume

It is now estimated that our bodies carry 100 synthetic chemicals more than those of our grandparents. (Source: Environmental Supplement, The Guardian January 2000).

The World Health Organisation report (c.2002) claimed harmful indoor pollutants represent a serious health problem that is responsible for more than 1.6 million deaths each year. Remember plants eat up the VOCs making us less vulnerable to the dirty air cocktail!

Sources:
www.plantsforpeople.org
www.wolvertonenvironmental.com

Plants absorb harmful chemicals in the air to make a healthier environment.