Glossary / Regulations
Volatile organic compound (VOC)
A volatile organic compound (VOC) is a carbon-based chemical that evaporates readily at ordinary temperatures and enters the air as vapor. VOCs include many solvents, fuels and cleaning ingredients, and they are regulated because they can harm health and help form ground-level ozone.
Explanation
Common sources of VOCs include paints, thinners, adhesives, degreasers, aerosol products, gasoline and many cleaning products. The term is broad, so it covers chemicals with very different toxicity. Some VOCs, such as benzene, are serious health hazards, while others have little more than a nuisance odor at typical levels.
VOCs matter in two settings. In the workplace, vapors can cause irritation, headaches, dizziness and, at high levels, narcotic effects. Many are also flammable, and vapors that are heavier than air can collect in low areas. In the environment, VOCs react with other pollutants in sunlight to form smog.
Because of the second effect, regulators set limits on the VOC content of products such as paints, coatings, consumer products and industrial cleaners. These limits are set by the EPA and by state and regional air agencies, and they differ. What counts as a VOC for regulation can also differ from the scientific meaning, since some compounds are exempted.
Controls follow the usual order. Where possible, switch to lower-VOC or water-based products, keep containers closed, use local exhaust ventilation, and wear a Respirator where ventilation does not adequately control exposure. Storage and waste handling matter, as evaporation from open containers adds to exposure.
VOC content is often stated on product data sheets, in grams per liter or as a percentage. The SDS may or may not report it, and the units vary by supplier.
What to do and watch for
- Keep containers closed and minimise evaporation from open surfaces.
- Use ventilation rather than relying only on a respirator.
- Check local air rules before buying coatings or cleaners in bulk.
Where it appears on an SDS
- Section 9: Physical and chemical properties. May report the VOC content and properties such as vapor pressure and evaporation rate that indicate how quickly the product enters the air.
- Section 15: Regulatory information. May note air quality regulations or VOC limits that apply to the product.
SDS content and wording vary by supplier. This page is general reference and does not replace the current SDS for your product.