Environmental Health Student Portal
Connecting School Students to Environmental Health Information

Volatile Organic Compounds

Think of the stories, fables, and fairytales that use shape-shifting characters. A wizard becomes a rat. A frog becomes a prince. A princess becomes an ogre. Under certain conditions, they transform their shape and appearance. Some chemicals can do that too, just without the same kind of dramatic effect.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are natural and human-made solid or liquid chemicals that evaporate into the air. They become invisible, and many are odorless. Volatile actually means unstable and possibly dangerous.

Many things we use in our homes and businesses give off VOC gasses, such as paint, glue, markers, hair spray, air fresheners, cleaning supplies, and fuels. They can affect indoor air quality. Because we spend so much time indoors, it can be dangerous to our health. Inhaling, swallowing, or touching VOCs can make you sick. Symptoms include eye, nose, and throat problems, headaches, and damage to the liver, kidneys, and the central nervous system. Some VOCs cause cancer in humans.

In this section of the Web site, learn how you and your family can protect the air quality in your home and how public health officials are trying to limit our exposure.  

If you think your health has been affected by exposure to volatile organic compounds, contact your health care professional.　

For poisoning emergencies or questions about possible poisons, please contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Explore the links at right to:

• Learn more about indoor air quality
• Assess how many VOCs are around your home
• Get tips for limiting your exposure to VOCs
• Read the "Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality"
• Learn about Sick Building Syndrome
• Watch a video about how scientists are discovering the effects of aerosols on human health and Earth’s climate
• Find out how public health officials are trying to limit exposure to VOCs