Hundreds of volatile organic compounds—solids and liquids that convert easily to gas or vapor at room temperature—seep into our indoor air, emitted by everything from air fresheners to paint strippers. On the mild side, they can make your eyes water and give you headaches; they can also trigger asthma and other serious respiratory diseases, and some are known to cause cancer. There are no statistics on how many people get sick from VOCs.
Blame the energy crisis of the 1970s, which spawned tighter construction methods, for increasing indoor air pollution from VOCs, according to Peter Frederick, principal scientist for MACTEC Engineering and Consulting in Lexington, Ky.
You may want to take particular precautions against four VOCs that are linked to cancer and present in a wide variety of household products. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t regulate levels of these chemicals in the home, it recommends you limit your exposure to them.
Benzene
What it is: A sweet-smelling, colorless liquid that is highly flammable.
The health risks: A known human carcinogen; occupational exposure has been linked reliably to leukemia. Although studies suggest that benzene levels typically found in the home aren’t high enough to cause cancer, it’s smart to reduce exposure as much as you can.
Where you’ll find it: Cigarette smoke, incense, stored gasoline, auto exhaust, paint, glues.
Formaldehyde
What it is: Formaldehyde is a strong-smelling liquid often used as a disinfectant, fixative, and preservative.
The health risks: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and is a sensitizing chemical, meaning you can develop an allergic reaction to it with prolonged exposure.
Where you’ll find it: Fuel-burning appliances, new furniture (pressed-wood products, particleboard, paneling).
Methylene Chloride
What it is: A clear liquid with a sweet smell, also called dichloromethane. Its high volatility makes it useful as an aerosol propellant; it was once present in hair sprays, but now is banned for this use because of adverse health effects.
The health risks: A known animal carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen. It’s been linked to cancers, liver problems, central nervous system dysfunction, and eye, skin, and respiratory irritation.
Where you’ll find it: Paint and varnish removers, degreasers, pesticides, spray paint.
Perchloroethylene
What it is: The principal fluid used in dry cleaning, commonly called “perc”; many cleaners now offer non-perc options.
The health risks: Shown to cause cancer in animals; causes dizziness, fatigue, confusion, lack of coordination, and respiratory irritation.
Where you’ll find it: Dry-cleaned clothes, shoe polish, printer inks, adhesives.
Other common VOCs that can cause health symptoms include terpene (air fresheners, perfumes), acetone (nail polish remover, paint thinner), and styrene (rubber, insulation, carpets).
Consider any household chemical or object treated or made with chemicals—including vinyl and plastic—a potential source of VOCs. If you’re having unexplained health symptoms, take a close look at the products you use daily to determine if one of them might be the cause.
Karin Beuerlein has covered home improvement and green living topics extensively for HGTV.com, FineLiving.com, and FrontDoor.com. In more than a decade of freelancing, she’s also written for dozens of national and regional publications, including Better Homes & Gardens and the Chicago Tribune. She and her husband started married life by remodeling the house they were living in. They still have both the marriage and the house, no small feat.
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