What are VOCs EPA?

” Volatile organic compounds (VOC) means any compound of carbon, excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides or carbonates, and ammonium carbonate, which participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions.

Does the EPA regulate VOC?

EPA does regulate VOCs in some household products under the Clean Air Act (CAA); however, the regulations that we have promulgated for VOCs in architectural coatings and consumer products are in place only because many VOCs photochemically react in the atmosphere to produce ozone, a component of smog.

What VOC means?

Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a large group of chemicals that are found in many products we use to build and maintain our homes. Once these chemicals are in our homes, they are released or “off-gas” into the indoor air we breathe.

What is an acceptable VOC level?

OSHA has adopted a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of . 75 ppm, and an action level of 0.5 ppm. US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has established a level of 0.4 ppm for mobile homes.

How do VOCs affect human health?

Eye, nose and throat irritation. Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea. Damage to liver, kidney and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals, some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.

How are VOCs controlled?

VOCs react with nitrogen oxides on hot summer days to form ozone (smog). These emissions can be reduced by making process changes (such as switching to low VOC content coatings) or by installing air pollution control equipment (such as carbon adsorbers or incinerators).

Are VOCs harmful?

VOCs Can Harm Health Breathing VOCs can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, can cause difficulty breathing and nausea, and can damage the central nervous system as well as other organs. Some VOCs can cause cancer.

What emits VOCs?

Sources of VOCs