What Are VOCs? How They Affect Your Air and How to Get Rid of Them

Is the air inside your home making you sick? Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, are harmful gases released from everyday products like paints, air fresheners, and cleaning supplies. Depending on the type and level of exposure, VOCs may cause symptoms such as headaches or throat irritation. Some have also been linked to more serious effects with long-term or high-level exposure.

VOCs are often more concentrated indoors than in outdoor air, especially in spaces with poor ventilation or lots of new furnishings. This guide will explain VOCs, where they come from, how they affect your health, and what steps you can take to reduce and monitor them for a safer, cleaner home.

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are gases that can come from certain products and may affect indoor air quality depending on their concentration and type. These compounds easily vaporize at room temperature and are often undetectable without proper air monitoring.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from certain solids or liquids, like paints, cleaning products, and adhesives. This process, known as off-gassing, happens when these products release VOCs into the air as they dry or break down.

VOCs indoors come from many everyday items: new furnishings, flooring, and building materials like laminate or vinyl often release VOCs. Air fresheners, personal care products, and even office equipment like printers and copiers also contribute to higher VOC concentrations in your home.

Not all VOCs pose the same risk, but many can still affect human health, especially in spaces with poor ventilation. Some, such as formaldehyde and methylene chloride, are considered highly toxic and have been linked to serious health concerns, while others may cause only mild irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat.

VOCs originate from both indoor and outdoor sources. They can come from outside and even from sources you wouldn’t expect.

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) come from everyday household goods used in the home. These products may seem harmless but can significantly lower your indoor air quality over time.

Here are some of the most common indoor sources of VOCs:

• Emitting paints and paint thinners, including those labeled as low-VOC

• Using cleaning products with strong fragrances or harsh solvents

• Installing synthetic carpets and rugs that off-gas VOCs

• Placing new or pressed-wood furnishings treated with glues or varnishes

• Applying adhesives in flooring, wallpaper, or craft projects

• Using personal care products like perfumes, nail polish, and hair sprays

Outdoor air isn’t always clean, and poor outdoor air quality can bring harmful VOCs into your living space. Watch out for these familiar outdoor sources of VOCs:

• Car exhaust from nearby traffic or attached garages

• Industrial air pollution drifting from factories or processing plants

• Lawn chemicals like pesticides and herbicides used in nearby yards

• Ozone and nitrogen oxides from smog and ground-level pollution

• Outdoor use of paints, solvents, or adhesives that linger and spread indoors

Some consumer products that seem harmless contain high VOCs. Items like nail polish, candles, permanent markers, dry cleaning fluid, and hobby products can increase your VOC exposure. Devices like printers and copiers also release VOCs while operating.

Once VOCs are in your home, they can directly impact your indoor air quality and lead to health effects such as headaches, eye and throat irritation, dizziness, or worsened asthma symptoms. The severity depends on the type of VOC, the length of exposure, and how well the space is ventilated.

Exposure to high levels of certain VOCs has been associated with symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, according to the U.S. EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency). These are especially common after using strong cleaning products or working with paints or solvents in a closed space.

Some VOCs, such as formaldehyde, have been classified as potential or known carcinogens and may cause long-term health effects with repeated or high-level exposure. Certain VOCs can harm the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system, and some are considered cancer risks. Repeated exposure in poorly ventilated spaces increases the danger.

Some groups are more sensitive to VOC exposure. Sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and individuals with respiratory conditions, may be more affected by VOCs, especially in poorly ventilated areas.

You can take simple steps to lower VOC levels in your living space. Making better choices about what you bring into your home and improving ventilation can lead to cleaner, healthier indoor air.

When shopping for paints, adhesives, varnishes, or cleaning products, look for labels with low or no VOCs. These options release fewer organic compounds and are less harmful to indoor air quality. Trusted certifications like Green Seal or GREENGUARD can help you find safer consumer products.

Fresh air helps push VOCs out of your home. Open windows, use exhaust fans and create cross-ventilation whenever you cook with gas stoves, clean, or bring in new items. Good airflow keeps VOC concentrations lower and improves air quality overall.

Many furnishings, carpets, and mattresses give off VOCs for days or weeks after purchase. Leave these items outside or in a garage to off-gas before moving them indoors. This simple step reduces how many volatile organic compounds are in your home.

Switching to natural options can help lower your exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from everyday household products. These simple, affordable alternatives clean effectively without releasing harmful gases into your indoor air.

Try these natural cleaning and freshening ideas:

• Mix vinegar and baking soda for a powerful all-purpose cleaner

• Use lemon juice to cut grease and leave a fresh scent

• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets or upholstery to absorb odors

• Diffuse essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus instead of using spray air fresheners

• Wipe surfaces with a cloth dampened in water and natural cleaners instead of chemical-laden wipes

While not a solution, some indoor plants can help reduce air pollution. Plants like spider plants, snake plants, and peace lilies may absorb small VOCs. They also support overall wellness by boosting humidity and making your space fresher.

Knowing what’s in your air is the first step to improving it. Tracking VOC exposure helps you avoid potential health problems and make better choices for your home environment.

Smart air quality monitors can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants like ozone and nitrogen oxides. These devices measure VOC concentrations in real time and alert you when levels exceed recommended indoor limits. Many also track temperature, humidity, and air pollution, giving you a complete picture of indoor air quality.

Using a VOC meter or sensor is a simple way to check for hidden sources of indoor air pollution. These devices can help you quickly act before VOC concentrations become a serious health risk.

Here’s how to use a VOC meter effectively:

• Place the sensor near potential sources like cleaning products, paints, or office equipment

• Test areas with poor ventilation, such as basements, bathrooms, or closed-off rooms

• Compare readings in different rooms to locate areas with high VOCs

• Use the device during and after using gas stoves, solvents, or hobby products

• Check regularly after adding new furnishings, adhesives, or other consumer products to your home

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for calibration and accuracy tips

If your symptoms don’t go away or you can’t determine where the smell is coming from, professional help may be the safest option. Certified indoor air quality specialists use advanced tools to test for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals that might harm indoor air.

Consider professional VOC testing if:

• You experience frequent eye, nose, and throat irritation without a clear cause

• You notice strong or unusual odors that don’t go away, even with ventilation

• Someone in your home has worsening asthma, allergies, or other health problems

• You've recently done renovations or installed new building materials, furnishings, or flooring

• You're concerned about exposure to specific VOCs like formaldehyde, methylene chloride, or ethylene glycol

• You want peace of mind about your home’s air quality after using many consumer products or supplies

VOCs are more common than most people realize and can seriously affect indoor air quality and health. Many everyday items, from household products to building materials, can release VOCs into your home.

The good news is that simple actions like choosing low-VOC products, improving ventilation, and using air quality monitors can help reduce VOC exposure. Staying informed and making smarter choices will lead to cleaner air and healthier living spaces for you and your family.