Was sind flüchtige organische Verbindungen (VOC)?

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are gaseous or vaporous substances that evaporate quickly. They consist of around 200 different substances and can be of both natural and human origin.

VOCs arise from natural sources such as metabolic processes, decay and decomposition of materials (e.g. wood or oil) as well as anthropogenic sources such as furniture, decor, cleaning and care products, building materials and incomplete combustion (e.g. tobacco smoke, fireplaces, cooking).

Wie gelangen VOC in die Luft?

VOCs are released into the air at low temperatures when solvents or liquid fuels evaporate or products such as adhesives, paints and varnishes dry. Plastics also continuously release VOCs, e.g. plasticizers and fragrances.

Welche gesundheitlichen Folgen können durch VOC auftreten?

VOCs can cause eye and mucous membrane irritation, poor concentration, dry skin, headaches, exhaustion and altered perception of smell and taste. Long-term exposure can lead to carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic effects, especially in infants and young children.

VOC: definition, formation & consequences

Volatile organic compounds, i.e. gaseous and vaporous substances, are referred to by the abbreviation VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) or VOCS. It is a group of substances consisting of a total of around 200 individual substances with different properties. What all substances have in common, however, is that they evaporate relatively quickly - this is also reflected in their meaningful name.

VOC significance

The acronym VOC stands for "Volatile Organic Compounds ". The term describes a group of organic substances that, as the name suggests, easily change into the gas phase - they are therefore "volatile". This property is central to their behavior indoors, as they evaporate at room temperature and disperse in the air.

The term thus emphasizes two aspects:

Organic: The molecules are based on carbon skeletons - this includes both chemically produced and natural substances.
Volatility: Even at low temperatures they change into the gaseous state and are thus easily detectable in the air we breathe.

Understanding the meaning of VOCs helps to better classify their occurrence: They are ubiquitous, although not always visible or smellable. At the same time, it is precisely this volatility that makes them a key parameter in the assessment and control of indoor air quality.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Causes & formation

VOCs arise from very different sources. These are either biogenic, meaning of natural origin, or anthropogenic, man-made. Natural sources are: Metabolic products, decay and decomposition processes of natural materials, such as wood or oil.

Anthropogenic VOCs are contained in many everyday consumer goods, such as furniture and decorative materials, care and cleaning products, and hobby products. VOCs are also produced by incomplete combustion or as a by-product of industrial processes. Synthetic sources are, for example, evaporations from building materials (such as varnishes, paints, carpets, insulating materials), solvents or cleaning products, or cosmetics. Combustion processes, e.g. tobacco smoke, fireplaces or stoves, or during cooking, also contribute to the enrichment of indoor spaces with VOCs.

How do VOCs get into the air?

Even at low temperatures, volatile organic compounds turn into gas and are released into the room air. This happens when either solvents or liquid fuels evaporate or liquid or paste-like products dry. If adhesives or paints have been used, the evaporation of VOCs is quickly noticed and the source quickly identified. More problematic are the less obvious VOC emissions, such as material emissions that are constantly released by plastics. Examples here are Plasticizers, solubilizers, antioxidants or fragrances and flame retardants.

Health effects of VOCs

As we Central Europeans spend most of our time indoors, elevated VOC levels are of greater health significance. Especially as the distance to VOC sources is usually smaller indoors. A particularly high VOC load occurs immediately after construction or extensive renovation work.

An increased VOC concentration is manifested not only by an odor nuisance but also by altered odor and taste perception and irritation of the eyes or mucous membranes. Other noticeable effects are: Exhaustion, lack of concentration, dry skin up to eczema or even headaches.

The toxicity of the individual substances varies greatly. Scientists assume that long-term exposure will have chronic consequences: e.g. carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive effects. Infants and young children are particularly susceptible.

What helps against too high VOC levels?

Buy used instead of new furniture, because the second-hand products hardly emit chemicals.
When purchasing, choose low-emission products as well as materials. As a guide, you can look for seals of approval such as the "Blue Angel", as stricter controls apply here. Look especially for the seal when buying your everyday cleaning products such as detergents, air fresheners, furniture polish, and oven and carpet cleaners.
In your construction or renovation work, use materials that have been tested according to the AgBB rating scheme.
Measure the VOC content with an air measuring device such as the air-Q and ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air by airing the room in bursts.
Buy wall paints with the "EU Ecolabel", this seal, similar to the Blue Angel, indicates specially tested product with a higher quality standard. Also, do not store paint buckets or cleaning agents in your living area, as the toxic gases can also escape from sealed containers.