Volatile Organic Chemicals: The Fewer You Have in Your Home, the Better Your Air Quality

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted by the materials in your home and by products you use for cleaning and personal hygiene. These chemicals contribute heavily to indoor air pollution because they are carbon based and off-gas easily at room temperature. Most are odorless and nearly everything in your home is a possible VOC emission source.

Many Florida residents may not realize that they have a volatile organic compound issue at all. The first sign of trouble might be family members having increased allergy, sinus and respiratory problems. Children seem to get sick more often and asthma sufferers experience more frequent attacks.

The best way to tell if poor indoor air quality is a problem is to ask a qualified HVAC professional to perform an  indoor air quality test.  Your HVAC expert will tell you exactly what sort of particulates, allergens and volatile organic compounds you have and what you can do to get rid of them.

VOC emission sources

There are many potential VOC sources inside your home. Carpeting, paint and plywood emit formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Paint, wallpaper and most household cleaning solutions put toxins into the air you breathe. Cosmetics deliver a one-two punch of VOCs because it gets into the air and is on your skin as well. You can find out more about VOCs and indoor air pollution by visiting the EPA website “An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality”

Fixing the problem

There is no one-step solution for cleaning up indoor air, but there are some simple things that will reduce the toxins in your home or office. Learn more about the use of HEPA filters in homes, and explore the possibility of having the ductwork in your home cleaned. In the Palm Beach area, you can contact Preferred Air Conditioning & Mechanical, LLC for an evaluation of your HVAC and indoor air quality solutions. Since 1991, our mission is offering Florida residents quality, affordable HVAC solutions.