Volatile Organic CompoundsEmma Rule – Period 9

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VOCs:

a chemical; a common air pollutant high vapor pressure easily form vapors at normal

temperatures and pressures proven to be a public health hazard a major concern of the Environmental

Protection Agency and state air quality boards

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Common VOCs:

paints air fresheners carpeting cosmetics particleboard copiers & printers tobacco smoke

solvents aerosol propellants glues house cleaning

chemicals dry cleaning

chemicals

http://www.humboldtrecycling.org/images/materials/aerosol.jpg

Effects of VOCs:

sick building syndrome photochemical smog formation of ground level ozone global warming Short term exposure vs. Long term

Exposure

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Reducing VOC Emissions:

regulating VOC levels of many consumer products

U.S. EPA – new laws concerning limits on VOCs

CARB and several north eastern states creating laws

low-VOC products

http://mysite.verizon.net/vzeohzt4/Seaflags/other/us_epa.GIF

The Future of VOCs:

More regulations and limits will be made

Eventually, no VOC emissions will be permitted.

More low-VOC products will be manufactured.

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Sources: "Organic Gases (Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs)." Indoor Air

Quality. 26 Jan. 2009. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 11 May 2009 <http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html>.

"Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)." Toxic Substances Hydrology Program. 14 Dec. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey. 11 Jan. 2009 <http://toxics.usgs.gov/definitions/vocs.html>.

Wagner, John D. “What is a VOC anyway?” Residential Design & Build. Oct. 2008. <http://rdbmagazine.com/print/Residential-Design-and-Build/What-is-a-VOC-anyway/1$2365>.

Smith, Scott M. “The Inside on VOCs.” Home Improvement. 3 Jul. 2008. http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/vocs--471649.html>.