VOC's

I've heard of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) in paint and so forth - you probably have, too - but for some reason, until recently when I read an article spelling out the fact that formaldehyde was a VOC, I had never made that particular connection.  I knew I wanted to decrease exposure to formaldehyde and to VOC's, but I didn't realize one was the other.  Silly me! So, that begs the questions:  1) What exactly are VOC's? and, 2) What other chemicals make up this category? 

Low and behold, when I did my google search, the first result was from the EPA.  It's an excellent resource page and I encourage you to take a look at the information, including the great html documents at the bottom.  In the very last one, "Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals,"  it lists formaldehyde, pesticides, solvents, and cleaning agents as VOC's.  In addition, you should watch for other chemicals such as benzene, methylene chloride and perchloroethylene.

Remember doing those school projects with permanent markers?  VOC. 
Like buying those permanent press clothes for work because of the easy care?  Formaldehyde = VOC.
Like trying a new scent out of all those magazines?  Some scents = VOC.

Some folks may think a formaldehyde allergy like my mom's is rare, or think it doesn't affect them.  I encourage you then to check out the EPA's site. It's worth your time to learn facts like this:

It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population, including asthmatics, may have hyper reactive airways which may make them more susceptible to formaldehyde's effects. 

And that's just one VOC!