Volatile Organic Compounds, doesn’t sound too harmful, it even has the word organic. Unfortunetely, VOCs are potentially carcinogenic and very damaging to plant life. “Organic” only means they contain the element carbon, which actually makes it highly flammable.
VOCs include chemicals such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, and methyl chloroform. These compounds become vapors or gas and are found in gasoline, lighter fluids, and in several building materials. Not only do they interact with other chemicals in the air to produce smog, something we are all too familiar with in Los Angeles. However, if released in the home by solvents, paints, glues, inks, cleaning supplies, laquers, and furnishing, VOCs remain trapped inside the home posing serious risks to your health.
Commercial buildings are not exempt from the potential harm of VOCs. According to the EPA several office equipment releases this gas such as copiers, printers, carbonless copy paper, correction fluid, graphics and craft materials, permanent markers, and photography solution.
Recent studies show that 96 percent of the VOCs found in a large office building following construction resulted from the materials used to construct and furnish the building (IAQ Resource Center).These materials included computers, insulaton, textile furnishing, ceiling tile, and carpet flooring. All of which contributes to sick building syndrome or building related illnesses.
Therefore, it is important to use building materials and furnishings that do not off gas. Carpets are of greater importance in the home, especially with young children who crawl and play on the floor. There are several options for carpeting, a simple one would be to not install wall-to-wall carpeting since it cannot be washed, and harbors dirt, dust, and pesticide residue, not to mention it releases dangerous VOCs. Another option would be to install a more eco and health friendly carpet. Polyester carpets off gas less than regular nylon carpets with a solvent based adhesive. By looking for the Green Label or CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) label on carpets you can be assured that it off gases less than your standard carpet.
It is important to think ahead when installing carpets, tiles, countertops, etc. in the home and in businesses, because it could potentially cause damage to your health and overall business performance.
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