Many homeowners in Tallahassee, FL spend around 90% of their time indoors. Unfortunately, the air in your home could be up to five times more polluted than the outdoor air, explains the Environmental Protection Agency. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) make up a large proportion of indoor air pollutants. Use these tips to find household products that don’t include VOCs so that you can enjoy better indoor air quality.
What VOCs Are and Where They Come From
VOCs are chemicals with high vapor pressure and low solubility in water. Many of them are man-made, but some are naturally-occurring. Most homes contain dozens of sources of VOCs. These sources include paints, adhesives, solvents, cleaning supplies, automotive supplies, fuels, building materials, furniture, markers, craft supplies, and pesticides.
Read Product Packaging
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, you should only buy what you plan to use right away when shopping for paints, adhesives, and other items that may have VOCs. Look on ingredients lists for chemicals including benzene, formaldehyde, and acetone. There are several online databases for consumers to use to find household products with low or no volatile organic compounds. You can also look at the product’s packaging. Some products will state they are free of VOCs. A manufacturer’s website may also have information.
Allow Items to Off-gas
When purchasing furniture or appliances, choose the floor models. They often come with a lower price tag, and any volatile organic compounds will have off-gassed by the time you bring them home. Buying a used item is also a good choice. If no floor model is available or you’re buying a new item and getting it delivered, allow it to off-gas outdoors or in a detached garage. This reduces the number of VOCs coming into your home.
For more tips on finding household products without VOCs, take a look at High Quality Heating and Air, Inc.’s indoor air quality services, or get in touch with us today for additional information.
