It may sound like a mouthful, but Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted from certain sources can be hazardous pollutants compromising your air quality. Yikes! You may wonder if these things are lurking in your home and what it means for you. Not to worry. We at Alen have solutions when it comes to VOCs. The good news is that Alen can help you improve your air quality by filtering out VOCs with our VOC air purifiers. That’s right – better health can be quickly achieved by simply removing those sneaky gasses and particulates commonly found indoors. Alenize your air with the home air purifier that puts you in complete control.
Hang tight – we’ve got a lot to unpack here. VOCs can come from a range of common indoor sources, including many cleaning products, fragrances, furniture, and paint, among others. We’ll give you a deeper understanding of VOCs and explore ways to lessen their effect or eliminate them from your home or business, including by using a VOC air purifier. Alen air purifiers are designed to capture these noxious VOCs, especially when equipped with a VOC/Smoke filter that has more activated carbon to especially absorb gaseous contaminants. At Alen, we’re ready to help you optimize your air for your health and well-being.
What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ), VOCs can include toxic chemicals emitted as gasses from certain solids or liquids. There are many common sources of harmful VOCs, and they can be one of the hardest toxins to avoid due to their prevalence in our day-to-day lives.
“Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors,” reports the EPA. “VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands.” The Geological Survey (USGS) pointed out: “Have you ever pumped gas, had your clothes dry cleaned, or used chlorine bleach in your laundry or for disinfection? Then you're likely to have encountered VOCs…many of these chemicals are toxic and can pose human-health or ecological concerns.” - United States Geological Survey.
More than likely, you have encountered VOCs at some point. You may not even have realized that you did. Not to worry. Alen is ready to help you understand where VOCs come from, the potential health effects of exposure to VOCs, and to empower you to manage them. We’re here as your partner in pure air. With Alen, you’re in control of creating an environment where every breath is optimized for your health and well-being.
Common Sources of VOCs VOCs come from a staggering variety of places, including household cleaners and disinfectants, air fresheners, and aerosol sprays. Smoke from wood-burning stoves, cooking , tobacco, and wildfires also contains volatile organic compounds. So do many paints and glues.
VOCs are often present when you can smell a strong chemical scent. That's especially true for new furniture, carpet, and electronics, which release VOCs in a process called “off-gassing”.
Common Sources of VOCs
As mentioned, potentially harmful VOCs come from several sources, including household cleaners and disinfectants, air fresheners, and aerosol sprays. Smoke from wood-burning stoves, cooking, tobacco, and wildfires also contain volatile organic compounds. So do many paints and glues. According to the EPA, here are the top sources of potentially harmful household volatile organic compounds:
- Paints, paint strippers, and other solvents
- Wood preservatives
- Aerosol sprays
- Cleansers and disinfectants (bleach and ammonia)
- Moth repellents and air fresheners
- Stored fuels and automotive products
- Hobby supplies
- Dry-cleaned clothing
- Pesticides
- Building materials and furnishings, especially particle board furniture
- Office equipment such as copiers and printers
- Glues, adhesives, and permanent markers
When working with these products, it is important to wear a protective mask and ideally run a VOC air purifier. Note that VOCs are often present when you can smell a strong chemical scent. That's especially true for new furniture, carpets, and electronics, which release VOCs in a process called “off-gassing.”
Are VOCs Dangerous?
In general, yes. The American Lung Association stated that VOCs are “harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. In addition, they can react with other gasses and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.” However, Alen can help you manage the risks and reduce your long-term exposure to VOCs so you don’t have to worry. It’s important to note that although Alen air purifiers can help remove these VOCs, you should still be cautious when dealing with them in areas with poor ventilation or improper air filtration.
Here's a list of VOCs that should be managed with caution:
- Acetone
- Xylene
- Benzene
- Butanal
- Carbon Disulfide
- Dichlorobenzene
- Terpenes
- Methylene Chloride
- Ethanol
- Formaldehyde
- Toluene
When possible, avoid direct contact with these VOCs. Products containing them should be stored in a safe, well-ventilated area, such as a garage or outdoor shed, and away from your living space.
Health Effects of VOC Exposure
The health effects of inhaling these chemicals are dependent on the amount of air, the length of the exposure, and the number of times. Be aware that breathing in even low amounts can lead to health problems in some people. The use of VOCs can also cause respiratory distress along with various other symptoms.
The EPA reports that VOCs often cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, and nausea, and can damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. They are especially harmful to those with chemical sensitivities.
Other common symptoms include:
- Frequent headaches
- Allergic skin reaction
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
If you are experiencing these symptoms regularly or when working with products that contain VOCs, you should create a plan to reduce VOCs and improve air quality. The health benefits of using a VOC air purifier can have significant short and long-term advantages. Rest assured there is a ready solution to cleaner air. You can reduce the impact of VOCs and greatly improve your air quality with Alen air purifiers. Alen's powerful fan motor exchanges air for clean air every 30 minutes, enabling you to breathe air that's been Alenized all day.
VOC Exposure Limits
According to the environmental technology solutions group TECAM, “TVOC (total concentration of multiple VOCs) can be measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) of air, milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3), parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb).”
The following chart will help break down when the levels of volatile organic compounds in the air become dangerous:
| TVOC Level mg/m3 | Level of Concern | Example |
| Less than 0.3 mg/m3 | Low | Painting a Room |
| 0.3 to 0.5 mg/m3 | Acceptable | Disinfecting a Bathroom |
| 0.5 to 1 mg/m3 | Marginal | Automotive Garage Fumes |
| 1 to 3 mg/m3 | High | Spraying Pesticides Inside |
How to Remove Volatile Organic Compounds
So now that we have learned what VOCs are, let's learn some easy and effective steps to remove them:
1. Get a HEPA Air Purifier for VOCs
For a truly healthy indoor environment, you must actively remove VOC chemical particles, as well as the allergens and other irritants that can come from outside. You'll need an air purifier with appropriate capacity for your room and one that's equipped with a HEPA + Carbon filter, or filter with an activated carbon layer. Look for one that has a substantial amount of carbon as it will generally last longer in adsorbing VOCs. For instance, the Alen BreatheSmart 75i equipped with a FRESH filter is a great example as it is designed to actively combat and cleanse airborne hazards like VOCs.
2. Control and Remove the Sources of VOCs
Eliminating the sources of VOC vapors is important. For example, avoid harsh chemicals and store substances like paint, fuel, and chemicals far away from your living space. Choose nontoxic cleaning products and shop for low or no-VOC paints and finishes. Many common household products are packed with VOCs. Simply removing them is a quick and practical method that will immediately improve your air quality.
3. Use Chemicals as Directed
Never mix chemicals such as household cleaners, unless directed to do so on the label. Be aware that mixing chemicals can result in the creation of other deadly gasses or volatile reactions. Moreover, always store household products that contain chemicals according to manufacturers' instructions, and keep all products away from children and pets.
4. Bring in Fresh Air
Regularly bringing in fresh outdoor air can help to improve your air quality. This can be done by simply opening windows or doors throughout the day, weather permitting. Moreover, you should make an effort to increase ventilation especially in modern, energy-efficient homes and apartments, as they are built relatively airtight to save on energy costs. Airtight spaces can trap and circulate VOCs, making daily air exchange important. However, outdoor air also introduces new particles like pollen and other air pollution, which can trigger allergy or asthma symptoms, as well as other respiratory issues.
Best VOC Air Purifier
Alen HEPA (H13) medical-grade filtration captures 99.9% of harmful particles down to 0.1 micron—including allergens, dust, mold*, bacteria*, and more. Moreover, Alen's added layer of activated carbon from our FRESH filter contains microscopic cracks and holes that effectively trap dangerous airborne gasses and chemicals like VOCs and fine particles while removing unwanted odors, making our air purifiers highly effective in targeting VOCs in your home.
*Tested on Staphylococcus aureus and MS-2 Bacteriophage with a minimum reduction rate of 99.9% in 1 hour. For mold, tested Aspergillus Niger. Minimum reduction rate of over 99% in 30 minutes.
But we don't stop there!
What makes Alen genuinely different? (Hint: The same reasons that earn Alen thousands of 5-star customer reviews). Our personalized air purifiers are:
- Effective – Circulate more clean air throughout your room super quietly. Anyone who has had a noisy air purifier knows how important it is to invest in an air purifier that runs quietly and efficiently 24/7. When it's time to sleep, relax to BreatheSmart's soothing pink noise frequency, which has been proven to improve sleep and noise level, according to industry studies. For more benefits of sleeping with an air purifier check out our latest article.
- Customizable – Match your air purifier system to your space, taste, and style. Choose from a variety of sizes and colors that suit your room. All of our air purifiers have replaceable front panels, so you can change your air purifier to match almost any color scheme. We can also help you find the right size purifier for your space, to ensure that your air is being purified completely and consistently.
- Guaranteed for Life – Our Forever Guarantee saves you money. Many things aren't made to last anymore, but we want you to feel 100% comfortable investing in one of our air purifiers. Alen offers the industry's only Forever Guarantee, backed by an expert in-house customer support team, for lifetime peace of mind.
WE RECOMMEND
For a room the size of a child's bedroom or home office, we recommend the Alen BreatheSmart 45i air purifier that provides coverage and improved air quality for up to 800 square feet. This air purifier operates at a whisper-quiet noise level as it cleans the room's air.
Remove VOCs from Your Home Now
Get started on the path to cleaner, healthier air by following our steps to remove VOCs from your home or business. There’s no better partner to help you take control of your air quality than Alen. Our air purifiers are top rated by Consumer Reports, and the only brand that comes with a Forever Guarantee. If you would like to learn more about how our air purifiers can remove VOCs from your space, please browse our selection of top-rated air purifiers or check out our buying guide to find out which system is best for your needs! Be the hero of your home by removing 99.9% of unwanted particles, including VOCs, with an Alen air purifier. Grow into your best self – breathe Utopiair.™
