VOCs, Formaldehyde and other sources of indoor pollution
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Primary Sources of Indoor Pollution
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the most well-known chemical pollutants, as there are thousands of them, both outdoors and directly inside our homes. They are carbon-based molecules, emitted as gas into the atmosphere. Their volatility allows them to spread through the air, sometimes kilometers from their emission source. You don't see them, yet they are your roommates, and they can originate right inside your home; significantly degrading indoor air quality!
Generally, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) present indoors come from:
- DIY and decoration products (paint, glue, varnish, etc.).
- Household cleaning products (detergents, strippers, stain removers, thinners, rubbing alcohol, etc.).
- Fragrance products (candles, incense, etc.).
They cause irritation, dizziness, allergic reactions, and respiratory problems… Potentially leading to lasting health issues with chronic exposure.
Purifying indoor air by reducing VOC volume
You can combine the use of our ecological air purifier (designed to capture VOCs) with a few good practices that will significantly reduce the presence of these toxic compounds in your home.
Regarding DIY products:
- Please note that since 2010, construction, renovation, and home decoration products display an indoor air VOC emission index, ranging from A+ to C (C being the most emissive in VOCs).
- Ventilate… we recommend a minimum of 2 to 4 weeks (continuously) after painting.
- Ventilate the room when doing DIY work and as much as possible for the following weeks, 2 to 4 weeks after painting.
Regarding household cleaning products:
- Choose eco-friendly products and make sure to follow the recommended dosage on the label. (Many people overuse household products to make their homes even cleaner… True, but it will also be more polluted!)
Regarding fragrance products:
- Don't overuse them and regularly ventilate your home to release VOCs from your interior and purify the air.
Good to know: Tobacco smoke increases the concentration of VOCs.
Formaldehyde, one of the most dangerous VOCs
Formaldehyde is part of the Volatile Organic Compounds family. It is known as "formalin" in stores and recognized by its pungent odor, even at low concentrations. Classified as carcinogenic by the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer), formaldehyde is nevertheless known worldwide for the manufacture of disinfectants, preservatives, and textiles. It is present in paint, varnish, and glue… We are also fully involved in its production through some of our activities such as smoking, wood heating, and fuel combustion.
Regarding indoor air, in addition to formalin-based products, the main source of formaldehyde is wood, chipboard, and plywood used for flooring and furniture. They contain thermosetting glues based on formaldehyde for their manufacture. Since 2002, regulations fortunately impose a maximum content of formaldehyde.
In all cases, prefer solid wood to veneer or plywood, as it emits formaldehyde at a very low concentration. Choose hard oils and natural resins to cover it.
Biological pollutants
In addition to VOCs, biological pollutants weaken the air quality of your home.
Purifying indoor air by removing biological pollutants
To remove biological pollutants and purify indoor air, besides using an air purifier, there's no secret, you'll need to ventilate! The Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive Transition recommends renewing the air in your home at least twice a day. To minimize the effects of your pet on your health, also make sure to vacuum your carpets and rugs and, as much as possible, forbid your pet from settling comfortably on your bed or favorite armchair.
CO2, CO, lead: other chemical pollutants in our homes
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an extremely toxic gaseous pollutant. It is created by the combustion of wood, gasoline, oil, coal, natural gas, or propane. Generally, you find carbon monoxide in indoor air through household equipment, especially when it is poorly installed :
- boilers and water heaters,
- oil supplementary heaters,
- cooking appliances.
To limit the presence of carbon monoxide, do not use appliances intended for outdoor use inside your home. Do not hesitate to have your heating system checked by professionals and to have your chimney swept before winter.
Lead
Present in the house can come from old water pipes, old paint, or dust from a polluted exterior. Lead poisoning is the worst consequence (attacks the nervous system). In small doses, it can affect the respiratory tract. To avoid indoor air degradation by lead, the best thing to do is to monitor the condition of your wall coverings and fight against humidity, the main cause of paint degradation.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Finally, CO2 is naturally present in the atmosphere and humans themselves produce it simply by breathing. However, too high a concentration of CO2 indoors, mainly due to a lack of ventilation, can cause fatigue and headaches. Only one piece of advice: ventilate your home regularly.
In addition to these good practices, placing an air purifier is the only effective solution for permanently eliminating the VOCs present in indoor air such as formaldehyde. Increasingly present in our homes, VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are the primary source of degradation of indoor air quality. The consequences? Irritations, respiratory problems, or allergic reactions! This is why it is now advisable to purify indoor air and filter these polluting particles to breathe healthy air. The keywords for depolluting indoor air : Ventilate and purify. A small cushion filled with activated carbon, the Airpurlabs air freshener works by capturing and neutralizing VOCs, without noise or electricity. To be placed in the house or in the car: with the Airpurlabs air purifier, purifying the air becomes simple, effective & ecological!
Would you like to know more about our ecological air purifier?
Our Airpurlabs air purifier effectively reduces indoor pollution and quickly improves indoor air quality. If you too wish to purify the air in your home, our experts are at your disposal.